Tummy Tuck Scar 3 Months Post Op. Will Hydrocortisone Help Reduce the Darkness/Puffiness of My Scar?

Question

My tt scar and belly are dark, will Hydrocortisone 2.5% ointment help reduce the darkness or puffiness on my scar or belly?

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Yes, these treatments can help although at this stage your scars are still forming and transforming and they take about a year to fully mature.  In that time they may get better without any treatment at all

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,

	 

	Thank you for your inquiry.

	Without photographs it is hard to assess your scar and provide you with accurate answers.

	Nonetheless, at 3 months post surgery your scar is not 100% healed but more maturing.

	If your scar were to be hyperthophic then corticosteroids could help if necessary.

	The darkness of your scar could be treated with some bleaching if it fits your condition after your final recovery is established.

	I encourage you to be a little more patient as scars get better with time. Do not expose the scar to the sun as it will get darker if not completely healed.

	Best of luck to you.

	Dr. Sajjadian

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

Scott Loessin, MD · Answer

Hydrocortisone will not help reduce the puffiness and darkness of your scar. the best and most effective treatment for scars is a silicone sheet or silicone based topical cream such as BioCorneum, which is what I recommend for my patients.

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

You are just 3 months postop.   There are several things you can do to help with your scarring/healing.   Please talk to your PS about scar massage therapy.  In addition, silicone gel sheets have been show to help.   If you are manifesting with a thick scar, steroid injections may be needed.  Please followup with your PS to get on a scar management program.  Best of luck!

	Dr. Basu

	Houston, TX

Tummy Tuck Scar 3 Months Post Op. Will Hydrocortisone Help Reduce the Darkness/Puffiness of My Scar?

Answers (10)

Answer: Reducing Size and Color of Scars

Answer: Reducing Size and Color of Scars

Answer: Scar management

Answer: Scar management

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Tummy Tuck Scar 3 Months Post Op. Will Hydrocortisone Help Reduce the Darkness/Puffiness of My Scar?

Answers (10)

Answer: Reducing Size and Color of Scars

Answer: Reducing Size and Color of Scars

Answer: Scar management

Answer: Scar management

Browse related questions

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.