Black scars may appear on the stomach for a variety of reasons. For instance, stretch marks due to rapid weight gain or pregnancy could leave dark streaks on the skin. Undergoing surgery can also cause scarring -- and if you have dark skin, black scars may occur. Though scarring is permanent in most cases, you can reduce their visibility and encourage them to fade.
Step 1
Purchase an over-the-counter scar cream and apply daily to your black scars. Use a small amount and gently massage into the skin. When used consistently, this cream can soften scars and make them less noticeable.
Step 2
Visit your dermatologist and obtain a prescription for Retin-A. This cream contains vitamin A, which can help lighten dark pigmentation or discoloration on the skin. Apply this cream every day for several weeks on clean skin to help fade the black scars on your stomach, suggests the American Academy of Dermatology. This cream only works on new scars.
Step 3
Use a silicone bandage on your black scars. The bandage sticks to itself and not your skin, encouraging the black scars to heal without forming a keloid. A keloid scar is raised and can grow beyond the boundaries of the original scar. The American Academy of Dermatology says the gentle pressure of the bandage will help decrease the likelihood of keloids.
Step 4
Undergo a resurfacing treatment to lighten the black scars on your stomach. Microdermabrasion or laser therapy may be used by your dermatologist in an out-patient setting to gently remove the top layers of skin and encourage more even healing, says the Cleveland Clinic. These procedures aren't usually covered by medical insurance.
Things You'll Need
- Over-the-counter scar cream
- Retin-A
- Silicone bandage
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