Dear Dr. Seckel, I had a tummy tuck 6 months ago and the scar on my abdomen is red and itchy. I did not have the bikini tummy tuck you write about but I wish I had. Is there anything I can do about the scar? Thank you, Denise, Boston, Massachusetts
Dear Denise,
Red itchy scars are called hypertrophic scars and are common following abdominoplasty. They are more common when:
- The skin is pulled too tight
- Too much skin is removed
- You are too active and stretch or stress the skin soon after surgery
- Your belt buckle or tight clothing irritates the wound
- Some people are prone to develop hypertrophic scars.
Ideally a properly done tummy tuck like the bikini tummy tuck will have minimal scars which are well hidden (see below).
Above-Before and After Bikini Tummy Tuck
There are several ways to improve red scars or hypertrophic scars after tummy tuck or abdominoplasty:
- Apply 1% Cortisone cream to the scar
- Inject Cortisone into the scar
- Apply Cordran Tape to the scar
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments to the scar
- Lux 1540 Laser Treatments to the scar
Cortisone cream and Cordran Tape can only be used for limited time periods because Cortisone a steroid cream can cause skin atrophy.
I use the IPL to remove redness and the Lux1540 Laser to soften and reduce the scar.
The IPL and Lux1540 laser treatments are safe, new and very effective. They are my first line for any red scar or raised scar today.
Results on very difficult scars can be excellent. (See below)
For more information on the newest laser treatments read Save Your Face or contact me.
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Thank you,
978-369-4499