What is the best cream/ointment to massage tummy tuck scar with?

How a particular patient scars is unpredictable and is
related to many factors including genetics. Scars generally improve with time.
Leaving on steristrips for 3 or more weeks and massaging the tissue after that
on an ongoing basis help in most patients. Avoiding exposing the scars to sun
will diminish the risk of darker pigmentation.



There are a multitude of products that claim to help scars,
but there is little valid scientific evidence that they accomplish what is
claimed. An extensive review of the medical literature showed that:


Silicone
gel and silicone sheeting are currently the most beneficial.
Silicone
sheeting is more effective than silicone gel.
Vitamin
E and Mederma are not effective.




Discuss your concerns and the options with your own plastic surgeon and follow his or her advice.Robert Singer, MD  FACSLa Jolla, California

Hello! Thank you for the question! It is common for scars to fully mature for up to a year. In the meantime, there are a few things that may help to ameliorate your incision/scar. The most proven (as well as cheapest) modality is simple scar massage. Applying pressure and massaging the well-healed scar has been shown to improve the appearance as it breaks up the scar tissue, hopefully producing the finest scar as possible.  I usually recommend non-fragrance lotion or Vitamin E oil. Other things that have been shown to add some benefit, albeit controversial, are silicone sheets, hydration, and topical steroids. These can usually be started at approximately 3-4 weeks postop and when incisions healed. In addition, avoidance of direct sunlight to the incision will significantly help the appearance as they tend to discolor with UV light during the healing process. Scars will never disappear, but attempt is made to make the finest scar in a concealed location. Incisions may be revised to lower or conceal better if enough laxity exists. If unsightly scars are still present after approximately a year's time, other things that your surgeon may consider are intralesional steroid injections, laser, or just surgical revision of the scar itself. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Each surgeon will have their own preferences as
what to use to aid scarring following surgery.  Here at my clinic I recommend mepiform which is a silicone based sheeting
product for my patients.  Be sure to follow
your surgeon’s advice in this regard.  He
or she will know from experience what has worked best for previous patients.