Tretinoin on tummy tuck scar?

Question

In 2 days is going to be 9 weeks of my tummy tuck, lipo and fat grafting to breasts. Can I use tretinoin in my scar. Thank you

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question. Your Plastic Surgeon may have scar treatment options to recommend for you. In my practice I recommend silicone gel application or silicone sheeting once incisions have completely healed and that can be done for at least the first 6 months while your scars mature.All the best

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Abdominoplasty scars can be quite complex, ranging from the simple hypertrophic scar to a multiplane inflamed keloid. Pigmentation, discoloration, chronic inflammation, scar visibility can all occur in the short term. We begin each treatment with combination therapy using Yellow broadband BBL, Vbeam, fractional erbium, intralesional IIT, and scar modulation. Start with a combination of Plato's Scar Serum massaged twice daily after one week of epithelialization followed by Luminase/Exfolase. Scar consultation and revision may be recommended.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon6

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon6

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

At this point postop, if the scar seems like it's maturing nicely, you may not need any treatment. A new incision can be treated with micropore tape for the first six weeks or so. After this, you can consider either silicone sheeting or liquid application. Usually a 12 week course is all you would need unless you still had concerns about elevated areas.

Shwetambara Parakh, MD · Answer

Congratulations ! I would recommend silicone sheeting instead for the best scar results. Newgel + or Silagen is 100% medical grade silicone and has shown excellent results

Keith Denkler, MD · Answer

Tretinoin is fine for hyper pigmentation in a scar that can occur in darker pigmented people.  Retain A is also for aging, sun damaged skin.Other treatments can also be good for scars such as micropore tape or silicone sheets.

Daniel Greenwald, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Tretinoin should only be used on scars that are almost fully mature and are darker than ideal (hyperpigmented). For best results this would be used in conjunction with a pigment-inhibitor such as 4% hydroquinone.  Aggressive scar treatments include silicone gel, silicone sheets, and a host of pharmaceuticals targeting specific scar attributes.  In my practice we work with compounding pharmacies to provide topical creams that are specific for skin types, scar types, and can be targeted for specific time frames after surgery.  Antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, and anti-pigment agents are combined for best effect.The single most effective anti-scar treatment that has strong research data is early application of silicone tapes.  We think this has an effect by increasing local temperature and hydration.

Tretinoin on tummy tuck scar?

Answers (6)

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