Scarguard? When Start to Use It After Tummy Tuck and Breast Augmentation?

Question

Hi. Just had tummy tuck and BA. My doctor said he's not a big fan of Mederma scar creams but said I could use Scarguard for the scars. How soon after surgery would you recommend using it, and for how long? Thanks!

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

There are several scar treatments, including Scar Guard, Mederma, and several others. I generally encourage patients to use the treatments starting about one week after surgery and continue for several weeks to months depending on the particular procedure and their response to the treatment.

	 

	Good Luck.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Thank you for your post. In tummy tuck and other lift/tightening surgeries, tension is the enemy. The scar is healing gradually over 12 weeks or so, and until it is strong, it is the weakest link. As there is a great deal of tension in tummy tucks, body lifts, breast lifts, etc., the scar is at high risk of 'stretching' or widening. Silicone sheeting, although having the ability to make a scar flat, does nothing to prevent stretching of the scar. Creams or steroids or lasers also do not have the ability to prevent stretching of the scar. Those are used if scar is thick or dark, but not to reduce the wideness of the scar, which is the main problem. Massage also does not help keep the scar thin, and can actually worsen the scar in the first 12 weeks because you are actually adding tension to the scar. Massage is for softening a hard or thick scar, but if used early, will hasten the scar widening. Only tension reduction has the ability to keep the scar as thin as possible. You may notice in a lot of tummy tuck scars that the center portion of the scar is the widest with the sides toward the hips being the thinnest. This is because the maximum tension is at the center, and least amount on the sides. Embrace removes a lot of the tension by putting more tension on the skin on either side of the incision and drawing the incision together. It is expensive though at about $100 per week for 12 weeks. When patients do not want to spend the money for embrace, I tape the incision trying to remove as much tension as possible for 12 weeks and recommend no stretching back and to sit most of the time, keeping tension off the scar.Best wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

Ramon Navarro, MD · Answer

scar guards  must be initialized  after 3 weeks and should be continued up 3 months besides  mederma  cream

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.

	In my practice, we use Hybrisil for scar treatment and start using it when the scabs have fallen off (differs for each patient).  

	You should ask your surgeon when he recommends starting the treatment and how often to use it since he will be the one following you at your post op checks.

	Best wishes.

Scarguard? When Start to Use It After Tummy Tuck and Breast Augmentation?

Answers (4)

Answer: Scar Treatment

Answer: Scar Treatment

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Scarguard? When Start to Use It After Tummy Tuck and Breast Augmentation?

Answers (4)

Answer: Scar Treatment

Answer: Scar Treatment

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.