When is it safe to go and lay in a tanning bed post op. I'm a month post op as of today and I have a membership that I haven't used in a few months that I'm still paying for. Can anyone help me? Thank you!

I can't answer your question directly, but I do have a thought on it based on one of my banded friends. If you tan often enough, the scars will show up differently than your skin so they stand out more. Not sure if the y're darker or lighter, I just remember seeing them more obviously after she went tanning for a while.

I know that's not what you were asking, but if you can find a way to get a more even tan or something, that might be worth asking about be fore you go tanning.

I started tanning after I was about a month out. My scars are faded a lot... and I think it's from the tanning!

well thank you for your responses. i'm going to speak to my doctor about it.

usually when you have a scar you are supposed to keep it out of the sun, so the skin doesn't get damaged. I know when my sister had a dog bite on her face she had to keep it covered until it healed, and then after that put sunscreen on it religiously, so the scarring wouln't be so bad. I tan very well and any little scars i have on my arms and legs from when i was a kid, show up darker when i am tan.

Maybe a spray tan, done professionally would be healthier and look just as good?

I started tanning after I was about a month out. My scars are faded a lot... and I think it's from the tanning!

You're lucky! I used to work for a plastic surgeon and he always told people (especially with scars around the face and belly) to keep them out of the sun for 6-12 months while they were healing, because if they tanned while they were healing, they'd stay dark even when the rest of the skin faded.

Hi!

I saw your question about tanning, and have some experience. I owned a salon for 8 years, and had clients who'd just had surgery. I would provide them Desitin to put on their scars, to keep them from exposure. It works! Just dab it with a qtip to be precise and wipe off after tanning ! It keeps the scar from darkening.

Hope that helps!

Polly

Banding date: 01/30/07

Dr. Rodriguez, Acuna, Mexico

228-150

I tan all the time and did 1 week post op..just dab some sunscreen over your incisions, it is what I did, had no problems it workedgreat. and my scars are not darker because of my tanning but I was lucky my Dr. made such small incisions to begin with.