When you have a tummy tuck procedure, the resulting scar can be hard to live with. It’s not just unsightly—it can also be very uncomfortable, especially if it’s located on your lower back or abdomen.
Mederma For Tummy Tuck Scars is a topical cream that’s designed to help reduce the appearance of scars from tummy tucks. It’s made with aloe vera and glycerin, which are known for their healing properties and ability to soothe skin irritations.
Addressing Your Tummy Tuck Scar
If you’re considering having a tummy tuck procedure in the near future, it’s important to know how best to address your scar afterward. Mederma For Tummy Tuck Scars is one option; however, there are many others available today as well.
Right here on Cosmeticsurgerytips, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on 6 Things You Should Do For Your Tummy Tuck Scars, Tummy Tuck Scars: Prevention, Treatment, and Removal, Scar Treatment and Reduction after Plastic Surgery in Nevada, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
Mederma Tummy Tuck Scar
Where there’s a wound, there may be a scar and there is almost no surgery without a scar. An ideal surgery would leave no scar, but it often does. Read on to find out more about how to minimize your surgery scars.
Surgery scars
A surgical incision in the skin always creates a wound. The surgeon will close this wound to the best of his or her ability so that it will heal with minimal scarring. But, apart from the type of wound, its location, and the closure technique used, there are other factors that influence the type of scar you might get from surgery. Some you can influence, such as exposure to the sun or smoking, but others you can’t do anything about, including your age, genetic predispositions, phototype and ethnicity.
Scars are part of your body’s natural healing process. Scar formation after surgery goes through three phases[1]:
- In the first phase, which starts immediately after wound closure by the surgeon and lasts for about 1 week, the body initiates wound closure by coagulation.
- Over the next 1 to 2 weeks, fibrous tissue is formed by collagen and elastin synthesis, creating a scar that may be red and itchy.
- During the final remodeling phase, the lower part of the scar undergoes a healing and remodeling process which ideally replaces the initially disorganized deposited collagen with organized collagen, making the scar paler, softer, and less sensitive.
The scar usually takes on its final appearance after 1 to 2 years. Typical scars after surgery are:
- Hypertrophic scars, which start to develop during the inflammatory phase after which they rapidly gain volume within the limits of the incision, and
- Keloid scars, which start to appear about a year after surgery and are sometimes painful or itchy. They are voluminous beyond the surgical incision and commonly appear in areas with thick skin and on darker skin types.[2]
Treatment for surgical scars
Immediately after surgery for 1 to 3 weeks
Immediately after surgery, the wound is usually treated with antibiotics and petroleum jelly to provide an ideal environment for the wound healing process. Moisture protective dressings such as Silicone gel sheeting can also be used to accelerate epithelialization and decrease collagen deposition.[1]
After wound closure (about a week after surgery)
After the wound has closed, your doctor may recommend treatment with a topical scar treatment. As Mederma® is the #1 brand of scar treatments among pediatricians, doctors, pharmacists, dermatologists and plastic surgeons according to a 2020 survey*, this could be the treatment your doctor recommends. If your doctor does not recommend a treatment, this is a good option for you too as it is an over-the-counter treatment and comes with a money back guarantee.
The main objective of topical treatments is to keep the freshly healed skin moist.[3,4]Therefore, topical scar treatments contain heavy moisturizing ingredients.
All Mederma® scar treatments contain the proprietary ingredient Cepalin® (onion extract). Mederma®’s triple action formulas penetrate beneath the skin where they stimulate collagen production support cell renewal, and lock in moisture. They have been clinically shown to improve the look and feel of scars.[5] All Mederma® scar treatments for adults contain hyaluronic acid or hydrolyzed collagen, and lecithin and/or glycerin. In addition to its water retention ability, hyaluronic acid has anti-oxidative properties and stimulates collagen production.[6,7]
The emollient dimethicone in Mederma® PM Intensive Overnight Scar Cream additionally locks in moisture for the night by forming an oily layer on the skin and helps reduce collagen overgrowth to minimize scarring.[8,9] Its unique triple action formula combines Tripeptol™, a skin-nourishing complex with peptides, collagen, and antioxidants to optimally support the night time regeneration of the skin to promote healthy looking skin. Mederma® Advanced Scar Gel contains allantoin, a skin softening agent which helps break down inflamed scar tissue to encourage healthy cell growth.[10]
Mederma® for Kids™ cream is specifically formulated to contain as few ingredients as possible – just as you would want it for your kids’ sensitive skin. Its unique triple action formula for any scar form cuts and scrapes, stitches, burns, insect bites, and surgery includes allantoin and Cepalin® (onion extract). To make applying the cream more enjoyable, especially for smaller kids, these are combined with a fun surprise – a cool scent and a color that changes when you rub it in.
When returning to daily activities (about 2 to 3 weeks after surgery)
After the initial scar formation period, where a moist environment is most important for treatment, the incisional pain usually subsides, and patients return to normal activities. This means that the scar now needs extra protection against environmental factors, especially sunlight. The fresh skin on scars is particularly sensitive to the sun, and it is highly recommended that you protect scars from the sun for around 18 months [4,11,12] Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, protect the skin from photo damage,[13,14] and a sunscreen protects the scar from sunlight.[3,4] For scars exposed to the sun, there is Mederma® Scar Cream plus SPF 30, which, in addition to the triple action formula, contains an SPF 30 sunblock to provide extra protection against the sun.
So, whatever post-surgery scar care needs you may have, there is an over-the-counter Mederma® product for you, carefully formulated to target your specific needs, recommended by pediatricians, doctors, pharmacists, dermatologists and plastic surgeons*, and rated among the top 10 in 2020 reviews for scar creams.[15–17]
6 Things You Should Do For Your Tummy Tuck Scars
Aflatter stomach, contoured waist, smoother skin, and better muscle tone — your tummy tuck surgery has done wonders for your body. You’re ecstatic about your leaner, fitter shape, but are concerned about how to minimize the appearance of the scars you’ve been left with. Typical tummy tuck scars are located in one or more of these areas:
Pelvic area
Regardless of whether you had a mini or full tummy tuck, you’ll have a scar that runs horizontally across your lower abdomen from hip to hip, located a few centimetres below your belly button. The horizontal scar can vary in length. It may be just a few centimetres, which is often the case for mini tucks, or extend well over each hip to the sides of your back. The scar may also be placed in relatively the same spot where a C-section was.
Belly button
Full abdominoplasty involves a scar around your belly button. This scar may be quite noticeable at first, but with time, you’ll notice that it virtually disappears because it blends in so well with your belly button.
Lower abdomen
In rare cases, you may also have a scar that runs from your belly button vertically down to the horizontal incision.
What is a scar?
A scar is any mark or blemish that was caused by the skin healing over from a wound. Normal scar formation usually follows these steps:
The first stage – closure
Whenever your skin is broken, as is the case with incisions made during your tummy tuck surgery, your body creates collagen fibres to fill it in and close it. This takes about three to four weeks.
The second stage – establishment
Collagen continually builds up at the wound site, protecting and strengthening the affected area. To support its formation, blood supply to the area increases. Both factors cause the new scar to become darker, thicker and prominent. This takes about three to six months.
The final stage – maturity
Once enough collagen has formed at the wound site, some of it breaks down and blood supply decreases. The scar becomes lighter, thinner, flatter and less palpable as well as visible. This process can take one to two years, at which point they are considered fully mature.
You should expect your scars to look darker, textured and generally worse before they get better. You may notice that they look particularly bad a couple of months after your surgery. Try not to feel discouraged because they will improve!
Irregular scars
Some patients worry about irregular scars. Irregular scarring can be hypertrophic or keloid, both resulting from an excess of collagen. Hypertrophic scars are those that are raised and redder than the unaffected skin surrounding it. Keloids are a severe type of hypertrophic scars, in which scar tissue forms beyond the original wound site–>
Minimize your scars with these 6 tips
Once you get a scar, it’s pretty much yours for life. Scarred skin will always look different from unscarred skin, in that it will be paler and have a smoother texture. It may also look stretched. There are things that you can do to make your scars less visible. But just remember, the purpose of anything you do is to minimize the appearance of the scar, not eliminate it.
1. Follow care instructions. Right after your surgery, start following the incision care instructions we give to you. Instructions on hygiene and wound care will help your incisions heal properly and faster.
2. Monitor for infection. If you suspect your incision is infected at any point, let us know immediately. Infected incisions can lead to more prominent scarring.
3. Start topical treatments at the right time. Once the incision is no longer covered by scabs (don’t pick at them!) and has totally closed, you can start with topical treatments. The easiest option is to apply a product containing silicone, in the form of a gel, cream or sheeting. Silicone replicates the occlusion properties of the stratum corneum (the out layer of the skin) so that the hydration of scar tissue is normalized and, possibly, excess collagen production is stopped. Several studies have proven that silicone is beneficial in scar care, including one published in Advances in Wound Care.
Other topical products you can use are vitamin E and cocoa butter creams, although these have not been scientifically proven to be effective. They probably more to keep the scar moisturized, rather than act as a treatment.
4. Keep your skin well moisturized. You can start applying moisturizers directly to your scars only after the incisions have closed. Doing so beforehand can prevent incisions from closing properly and increase your risk of infection.
5. Don’t suntan your scars. UV exposure can make your scars darker and thicker, so make sure you cover them up from the sun at all times. It’s better to do this with clothing rather than sunscreen.
6. Avoid irritating products and clothing. Any irritation of a scar will make it worse. Use only products that are gentle to your skin.
Tummy Tuck Scars: Prevention, Treatment, and Removal
If you’re getting a tummy tuck, you can expect to have a scar. However, there are steps you can take to reduce its visibility. What you do before your surgery is just as important as — if not more important than — what you do in recovery.
Here’s what you should keep in mind ahead of your surgery, what to watch for afterward, and what your options for scar removal are.
What you can do before your tummy tuck
When selecting a surgeon, it’s important that you look at their portfolio. This will give you a frame of reference for their skillset and typical results. You’ll want to choose someone who has proven themselves as a reputable surgeon and with whom you feel comfortable.
Before your surgery, talk with your surgeon about the scarring. You can bring up any specific concerns you may have and determine what your scar is expected to look like. Depending on your individual surgery, you may have a V- or U-shaped scar.
Bring underwear or bikini bottoms to your surgical planning appointment so you can get a clear idea of where the scarring will be in relation to your panty line.
You should also completely stop smoking for at least six weeks before your surgery. This will help to reduce complications.
What you can do after your tummy tuck
It’s extremely important that you follow all of the aftercare instructions provided by your surgeon.
Some general guidelines include:
- Try to walk as soon as possible after your surgery. This reduces swelling and the risk of blood clots.
- Continue to refrain from smoking for at least six weeks.
- Follow a healthy diet. Include plenty of liquids, fresh fruit, vegetables.
- Refrain from lifting heavy items and avoid any strenuous activity for at least six weeks.
- Avoid any activity that stretches, bends, or causes you to put pressure on your abdomen.
- Avoid sexual activity for three weeks after your surgery.
Apply topical vitamin E
Some researchTrusted Source suggests that using vitamin E topically can improve the appearance of scars. It can also help to keep your scar moisturized.
Be sure to use 100 percent pure vitamin E oil. You should apply it to your scar at least once a day for the first couple of months. You can also use this as a chance to massage the scar tissue once it has healed.
If you experience any type of skin irritation or allergic reaction, discontinue use.
Don’t forget the sunscreen
It’s important to use sunscreen on your scar for at least a year after your surgery. If you can, it’s best to avoid sunning the area.
Scars are made of new skin and react differently to the sun than normal skin. Using sunscreen will prevent a scar from becoming darker than the surrounding skin.
If you can, use a formula that’s made specifically for scars. You should also use something that’s SPF 30 or higher.
A few popular options include:
- Mederma Scar Cream
- Professional Sunscreen for Scars
- Bioderma Photoderm LASER SPF50+ Cream
- ScarScreen SPF 30
Watch for signs of infection
It’s important to clean your incision daily. Not only will keeping your scar clean and healthy reduce its appearance, it will also reduce your risk of infection.
See your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- excessive bleeding along the incision line
- increased or severe swelling, bruising, or redness that isn’t getting better
- severe pain that isn’t relieved by medication
- yellowish or greenish drainage from the incision
- any discharge that has an unpleasant odor
- loss of feeling or motion
- oral temperature over 100.4°F (38°C)
- fever or chills
What you can do if you still experience scarring
Your scar will be mostly healed after about 12 weeks, but it can take up to a year for it to fully heal. You may want to wait until it has healed to decide if you want to undergo any surgical procedures that will minimize its appearance.
These methods won’t be able to completely remove the scar, but they can help to improve its size, color, and texture.
Steroid applications and injections
You may choose to use steroid applications or injections to get rid of raised, thick, or red scars. These treatments may be used at the time of surgery for scar prevention or four weeks after surgery for correction.
The cost will depend on the size and severity of the scar. It’s usually a few hundred dollars per treatment.
Laser treatment
Laser treatments are also available. Vascular lasers collapse the tiny blood vessels on the surface of the skin that cause redness. Laser surfacing is one of the best options to improve the texture and color of scars. This technology can resurface the skin. Scarred skin is replaced with healthy collagen which improves the overall texture and color.
Check with your doctor to see how long you should wait before beginning laser treatment. Laser treatments are expensive. If you go with this treatment, you’ll likely need two or more sessions over the course of a few months.
Surgical scar revision
Scar revision surgery is an option if you want your scar to be closer in tone and texture to your normal skin. Your doctor may use a combination of topical treatments, minimally invasive procedures, and surgical revision. You’ll still be able to see the scar, but it will be less noticeable.
As with laser treatment, you should check with your doctor to see how long you should wait after your tummy tuck to have scar revision surgery. They may advise you to wait at least a year so you can see how your scar has healed over time first.
Costs for this procedure vary.
Punch grafts
Punch grafting is a technique where a small hole is made in skin using a small tool. The scar is removed and replaced with new skin from another place on your body, usually from behind your ear. You will still have a scar, but it will be smoother and less noticeable.
The bottom line
It’s important to take into account that a tummy tuck will leave you with a permanent scar. Think about why you are having a tummy tuck and what results you want to get from it. If the intended results outweigh the disadvantages of having a scar, then it will probably be worth it.
You can also think about the possibilities for scar reduction. Take steps before and after surgery to facilitate a healthy healing process so that the scarring is as minimal as possible.