Skin bleaching cream safety on surgical scars?

Question

I am a 57 year old Black female with hyper pigmented scars one year after a tummy tuck and breast lift. Is it detrimental to use skin bleaching creams on these scars and if not which cream would you recommend ?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I suggest you see an expert and post photos, there is no risk to you to using the creams but the results may not be appreciable.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Always best to see your plastic surgeon for recommendations, but there is no inherent risk in using lightening creams and retinol on surgical scars to help with scar maturation.  In our office we use skinmedica skincare products but there are a number of available options the can be prescribed to you.  Hope this helps.

Nicole Hayre, MD · Answer

A prescription bleaching cream should help your hyper pigmented scars, but it may take a long time for it to work.  It will typically take at least several months of applying the cream twice daily for there to be a change.If your scars are not only hyper pigmented, but also thick or raised, you should see a board-certified Dermatologist.  A bleaching cream will likely not work well until you get treatment to flatten out the scars.  This can be done with a corticosteroid.  Good luck!

Skin bleaching cream safety on surgical scars?

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Answer: Skin bleaching cream safety on surgical scars?

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Skin bleaching cream safety on surgical scars?

Answers (4)

Answer: Skin bleaching cream safety on surgical scars?

Answer: Skin bleaching cream safety on surgical scars?

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Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

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