Tummy Tuck Scar After 10 Weeks - Hyperpigmentation Problem

Hi-
I understand your concern about your scar- but your interests and final outcome will be best served by exercising as much patience as you can muster... human scars mature over the first 12-18 months after they are created, meaning that for that time period, the scars will improve in appearance on their own (even if nothing were done). After this time period, you can be confident that no further improvement will occur, and intervention would be appropriate.
I don't blame you if you don't want to wait that long to see some improvement, but because the scar will be undergoing this improvement over that time, anything you do will affect this normal maturation process- so be careful, and don't be too aggressive too early in the process.
I usually recommend simple, easy, low risk scar treatments first- even if you don't get the complete improvement you wanted from them, the low risk nature of these options will mean it's unlikely you'll regret them later too- and you haven't burnt other bridges either. Examples of these kinds of simple things are Scarguard gel, Silicone tape, and Abdo-patches (from Medical Z).
If these interventions don't give you the improvement you want, then you can consider IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments or other options like bleaching creams.
Remember- the scar is likely to improve significantly on its own- the best thing to do is to try not to get in its way.
Happy Holidays!

Thank you for your question regarding hyperpigmentation after your tummy tuck.

Hyperpigmentation around a tummy tuck scar, especially after a complication like a hematoma, is not uncommon. Hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces more melanin in response to inflammation or injury, which can make the scar appear darker than the surrounding skin. This can happen following surgery, especially in areas where the skin has been compromised or healing has been slower, such as after a hematoma correction.

The good news is that hyperpigmentation often fades over time, although the duration can vary depending on factors like your skin type and the extent of pigmentation. It may take several months for the pigmentation to lighten significantly.

To help speed up the fading process and improve the appearance of the scar, there are several options you can consider:

Topical Treatments: Creams containing ingredients like hydroquinone, retinoids, or vitamin C can help lighten hyperpigmented areas. These should be used under the guidance of your doctor.

Silicone Gel or Sheets: These can be applied to the scar to help flatten it and reduce pigmentation.

Sun Protection: Protecting the area from sun exposure is crucial, as UV rays can worsen hyperpigmentation. Use sunscreen with a high SPF and keep the area covered when possible.

Laser Treatments: In some cases, laser therapy can be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation. This should be done by an experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

It's essential to discuss these options with your plastic surgeon to determine the best approach for your specific case. With time and appropriate care, the hyperpigmentation should improve, allowing your scar to blend more naturally with the surrounding skin.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Your scars are still pretty fresh and will be more prominent at this time. Take care of them and protect against sun exposure. With time, they'll fade, but you have to wait for about year for this to happen. Ask your surgeon what treatments you can do to help expedite the healing process.

                  Wound
healing is a dynamic process that continues for 12-18 months following
surgery.  During this period,
wounds undergo a series of changes which hopefully result in imperceptible
scars.

                   It’s
not unusual for wounds to discolor during the initial phases of wound healing
for a variety of reasons.  In most
cases a slight reddish discoloration is present which is related to increased
blood flow.  This is an entirely
normal phenomena and is necessary for normal wound healing.

                   Unfortunately,
your case has been complicated by a hematoma.  This problem will probably delay your wound healing
response, but won’t stop it.

                   At
this point in time your wound needs time to heal.  It’s important that you discuss these issues with your
plastic surgeon.  It’s also
important to be patient and allow normal healing to take
place.

I'm sorry to hear about your problem. It normally takes about a year or even more for stars to mature. Once they have matured they tend to become faint silvery lines. 

The look of an abdominoplasty scar is dependent on a number of factors, including genetics, skin complexion, timing of recovery, quality of postoperative care, and the type of repair.
Abdominoplasty scars can hyperpigment in the immediate postoperative period. However, the long term results of a scar depend primarily on the quality of the repair. Skin and subcutaneous suturing in layers generally creates better scars than a single layered closure. This is specifically what plastic surgeons spend years training for. Make sure you go to a board certified plastic surgeon and that they take time to explain the type of repair and the postoperative care needed.
If hyperpigmentation develops, topical creams and laser are used to fade the scar.

Time is the most important thing at the 10 week stage of scar healing.
You can also try silicone sheeting or topical products like ScarGuard and Mederma. Those can be used now.
Scar revision is something that could be considered (this includes laser, steroid or additional surgery). You may be suprised at how well the scar settles with time though.
Good luck and let us all know how things work out.

Any amount of subcutaneous blood such as a hematoma can cause pigmentation or hyperpigmentation, espceially in a person with a darker skin. this will usually fade over 9 month.
it is critical to avoid sun bathing or tanning during this period in order to avoid permanenet hyperpigmentation.
keeping the skin moist with oily lubricants helps the health of the skin during this period. some doctors feel that bleaching creams such as Hydroquinon are effective but in my opinion they don't make a lasting difference. It just takes time!
Sean Younai, MD Beautifulfigure.com

It appears that you had some pre-existing scarring from earlier surgery so your case is a bit complicated. There are some laser treatments and a similar one called IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) which can help scars to fade if it is started early.

Although 10 weeks seems like a long time when you’re waiting for a scar to heal, it’s a relatively short time when you look at the big picture. The appearance of your scar should continue improving throughout the first year after your surgery, and possibly longer. I know it’s hard to be patient, but just try to have faith in your body’s natural healing process.

In the meantime, be sure to keep protecting your scar from the sunlight, which can actually worsen the hyperpigmentation. You can also ask your surgeon about topical treatments like ScarGuard. If the scar remains very visible after the healing process is fully resolved, you might consider a laser procedure at that point to even out skin tone, but check with your surgeon first.