How long after surgery can I be out in the sun for long periods of time?

Question

Planning on doing my surgery this month w/plans to go to a 3 day concert at the beach exactly 2 weeks after. I don't plan on doing any swimming/jumping around but was wondering if I can be out in the sun for that long? I will wear supporting halter/sports bra looking bathing suit tops to avoid direct sunlight to the incision and LOTS of sunscreen. Would this still be okay? Height: 5'3 Weight: 123 Current Size: 32B Implant: 325c, silicone, moderate-plus, inframammary Incision, under the muscle

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

Ultraviolet light, whether from the tanning bed or the sun at the beach, can make a scar redder for a longer period of time. I tell my patients not to go tanning until three weeks post surgery and not to swim until that time, either, so that the incision is healed and water won't penetrate it and cause an infection. If you use a strong sunscreen and stayed covered during the heat of the day, you should be fine. Enjoy the concert.

Ali Riza Öreroglu, MD · Answer

Sun exposure i.e. ultraviolet light has a negative effect on scar healing and can cause hyper-pigmentation of the healing scar. However this will not be an issue if you have your scar covered, either with your bikini or concealed with steristrips. Use of a sunscreen cream is however recommended at all times with sunbathing.
Hope this helps,
Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Son is not good for your skin but for the most part you can return to the beach anytime after breast augmentation. The incision itself however should be protected from ultraviolet light until there is no further color in the incision. This will be a number of months.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

It is recommended to keep the breasts and importantly the incisions out of the sun - otherwise I do not see any issues. Ensure you wear lots of sunscreen and ensure the breasts are supported.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

It would be best not to expose the breasts themselves to the sun for extended periods of time for 3 months after surgery. Your plan with the sunscreen sounds like a good one.

Lane Smith, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  As long as you keep the incisions well protected from direct sunlight, use plenty of sunscreen and continue to keep the incisions as dry as possible, I see no reason why you cannot attend the concert.Best regards, Dr. Lane F. Smith, MDPlastic SurgeonLas Vegas, NV

Nora Nugent, FRCSI (Plast) · Answer

Dear COski123,
Thank you for posting your question. I would recommend completely protecting the incision from the sun with UV resistent clothing and/or sun block of at least Factor 50. If your incision is not fully healed or has had any problems healing, I would also not recommend a sandy environment at 2 weeks post surgery.

Chien C. Kat, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.It takes a good 3 months for scars to mature, in this time they need protecting from the sun and ultraviolet light such as sunbeds.I would recommend that you use a total sunblock if you are planning to go out in the sun within the first three months.

Garrett A. Wirth, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

While you can go out into the sun for that concert based on the timing you gave, I strongly recommend that you had the incisions covered and protected with sunblock and clothes.  Scars mature over the course of one year and are most susceptible to hyperpigmentation in the early weeks and months and you can guide the progress of the scar maturity by how fast the color has returned towards normal.

Dario Rochira, MD · Answer

if no complications have occurred in the first 2-3 weeks (such as infection, wound breakdown, haematoma, seroma etc) you can expose your self to the sun. However I would strongly recommend to wear your swimsuit and make sure you protect the scars with a steristrip or sunscreen lotion. 
After 6 weeks you are allowed to go back to your normal life, including gym, exercise, swimming etc.

How long after surgery can I be out in the sun for long periods of time?

Answers (15)

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