The benefits achieved with a tummy tuck including a flat stomach, no sagging skin and a more contoured waistline are accompanied by an incision, needed to make these improvements. The incision is strategically placed and when healed, becomes a scar. There are ways to help this area heal properly for a less noticeable, barely-there scar. Many patients say it is far worth the trade-off to have a flat stomach, trading improved shape for tummy tuck scars.
What a Tummy Tuck Scar Looks Like
Your tummy tuck scar will sit low on your hips and run from hip to hip. Tummy tuck scars are located a few inches below the belly button and are low enough to be concealed in clothes, bathing suits, and underwear. Although the scar can vary in length—shorter with a mini tummy tuck and longer with an extended one—it can also be in the exact location as a C-section scar if you have one.
Following surgery, your incision will be most noticeable. Over time, the scar will heal, lighten up and fade into your skin.
Tips to Follow for Less Visible Scars
With your new and improved abdomen, your scar will accompany. However, there are plenty of tips to follow to make your scar less noticeable.
- Follow all pre-op and post-op care and instructions. On day one after your tummy tuck, you will be given specific instructions on caring for your scar, proper hygiene, and wound care to help the incisions heal properly and faster.
- Begin using topical treatments once you are given the green light. As soon as the scabs over the incision fall off on their own and the incision is fully closed up, you can start using topical scar products. Look for ones with silicone, which helps keep the skin well hydrated while normalizing the tissue. Other ingredients to consider are vitamin E and cocoa butter.
- Keep the skin well moisturized. Once the incision is closed, you can start applying hydrating creams and lotions to the area.
- Avoid the sun. It’s important not to expose your tummy tuck scars to the sun since UV exposure can make them thicker, darker, and more apparent. Always apply SPF to your scars and protect them with appropriate clothing.
- Steer clear of harsh or irritating products, ingredients, and clothes. Anything that causes friction to your tummy tuck scars can irritate it, cause unwanted redness and delay healing.
Treatments for Scar Reduction
If you’ve undergone a tummy tuck and want to improve your scar appearance, there are professional treatments that can help improve. The early scar inflammation phase is the best time to start your scar revision treatments. As early as 6 weeks post surgery, if no open wounds, infections or irritation. Several different treatments are available, including:
- Silicone gel sheets help reduce the size, hardness, redness, swelling, itch, or stiffness of a tummy tuck scar.
- Polyurethane dressing is a moist, flexible pad that can also improve the appearance of a raised scar by reducing its color, hardness, and size.
- Lasers and light treatments are often the go-to treatments for tummy tuck scars as they can flatten raised scars and keloids, lessen redness in the scar, and increase scar mobility. They can also alleviate pain, itching, hardness, and swelling. Laser therapy and pulse-dye light are said to provide the most dramatic results. Our MOXI™ Laser and BBL™ Laser treatments are excellent options to help improve the appearance of surgical scars.
- SkinPen Microneedling can also help improve the texture and color of the scar, softening the edges and boosting collagen.
- Corticosteroid injections are another modality to improve the look of raised scars and keloids. A corticosteroid is injected directly into a tummy tuck scar to help flatten it and reduce any itching and discomfort.
To get the best results, more than one treatment is usually needed unless scar revision surgery is being performed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take for tummy tuck scars to heal?
While your tummy tuck scar will still be visible as soon as the incision heals and is closed, usually around the six-month mark, it will start to lose some of its coloration, turning from pink or red to a white or purplish color. After one year, the scar will likely be much less noticeable and continue to improve.
- What do healed tummy tuck scars look like?
Once your tummy tuck scar is healed, it will be a fine, straight white line running from hip to hip.
- What post-surgery care steps can help reduce tummy tuck scars?
Avoid exposing your tummy tuck scar to the sun, treat it with silicone gel sheets, keep it well hydrated, and use vitamin E and other scar-reducing approved ingredients and products. Follow all post-op instructions and consult with your surgeon about our aesthetic scar revision treatments.
- Why is it important to protect tummy tuck scars from the sun?
The sun’s harmful UV rays can cause your tummy tuck scar to become discolored or thicker in texture. Therefore, it is essential to wear sunscreen with SPF.