A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that improves the appearance of the stomach and flattens the abdomen as excess skin is removed and re-stitched. Tummy tuck surgery is one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the world with added drawbacks such as scars on the bottom of your abdomen. Even though surgeons do their best to cover up the scar and make it go on the lining of your clothing, it is still something you want to disappear.
When it comes to having a tummy tuck, there is no question you will have a scar after surgery, but it is your job on how it will heal or be treated for best results.
Here are 6 ways to treat a tummy tuck scar:
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Taping
- Topical Solutions and Creams
- Laser Resurfacing Treatment
- Microneedling Collagen Induction Therapy
- Scar Tattoo
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
One of the number one things doctors often forget to mention to their patients after surgery is how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can help their scar treatment. When you are freshly out of surgery it is recommended to jump into a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber to have a better healing process. Many times this is not recommended as hyperbarics has not entered mainstream as a treatment, but the few people who have done hyperbarics have noticed the significant improvement in the recovery processes compared to other surgeries. You can go days without food and water, but you cannot go more than a few minutes without oxygen. Often having a lack of oxygen in the body can have poor circulation and can lead to more recovery when it comes to wound healing. HBOT is a safe and natural alternative method for healing and recommended by top Hyperbaric technicians who have studied and proved 100% oxygen after surgery can significantly improve the recovery time of surgery and the look of scars thereafter.
Taping
Taping is very much recommended for patients who just finished surgery and are in the first few months of recovery. This paper tape should be applied to the belly button scar and lower abdomen for best recovery. Changing tape may continue every 4-7 days and stopping use of tapes after 6-8 weeks.
Topical Solutions and Creams
When trying to do everything to heal your scars, you will find over the counter topical solutions and creams for your scars that may provide better results. This may be the least expensive option when treating your tummy tuck scars. These solutions may contain silicone, hydroquinone, or other creams that may break down the scar tissue and match skin tone. Creams should be held off until week 7 where the body has taken its natural course of recovery.
Laser Resurfacing Treatment
As months go by, you will see your tummy tuck start to heal and create a scar which will remain as is without any additional treatments. One of the best ways to treat a tummy tuck scar is laser resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing uses light-based treatment to fade redness and lines over the scar and make it match skin tone. Laser treatment cannot get rid of a scar, but they can sure touch it up to make it less visible. Your results depend on the medical center that is handling your treatment and how well you take care of the scar thus after. It may take weeks to see results from a laser treatment, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. To have long lasting results, your doctor may recommend having multiple treatments in the area of the scar.
Microneedling Collagen Induction Therapy
Microneedling or Micropenning makes skin cleansing another breakthrough in scar treatment. Microneedling involves a device that creates hundreds of small puncture wounds and allows the body to alert that the area of the scar needs more repair. You are basically hacking your body’s natural resources to heal the area of the scar further. This minimally invasive treatment allows the body to naturally repair itself and maximize elastin production and collagen. After treatment you will notice the scar to blend in the environment and heal at a faster pace than before. This treatment may not be for everyone, so be sure to consult with your primary care physician.
Scar Tattoo
One of the easiest ways to hide a scar after its fully healed is by getting a permanent tattoo over the scar. If you’re a tattoo person, this is perfect for you. No going to the deep end to treat a scar when you can simply cover it up and done. With a tattoo professional this may be an easy task and can make the scar virtually disappear. Many times people have gotten tattoos over their breasts after breast cancer surgery.
Dr. Som Plastic Surgery
If you’re thinking about getting tummy tuck surgery or looking for ways to treat a tummy tuck scar then you can ask a professional surgeon to accelerate the healing processes. Dr. Som is a Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon and is welcoming anyone looking to schedule a consultation or have any questions that you want to know more about. At our facility we provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy, microneedling, and laser skin resurfacing for anyone looking for these treatments for tummy tuck scars.
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