Tanning bed usage after breast augmentation?

 
Thank you
very much for your question, and congratulations on your recent breast
augmentation procedure. At only two weeks post-op, it is too soon to head to
the tanning bed. I recommend waiting three to four more weeks, to let your
incisions fully heal. When you do chose to tan, either in a tanning bed or in
the sun, be sure to cover your incisions and wear an SPF 30 sunscreen.
Otherwise, you run the risk of permanently darkening your scars. Speak with
your operating surgeon for their recommendations on tanning after a breast
augmentation. Remember, for the overall safety of your skin, the use of a
tanning bed is never recommended.

The best answer can be obtained from the PS who performed your BA 12 days ago.  After your scars are healed, spray tanning should be OK.  UV exposure after breast implant surgery is a problem with regard to possible scar pigmentation changes. No tanning for 1 year would be advised.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for your question. I do not recommend tanning this early in healing as you have minimized sensation. Please speak to your plastic surgeon before you do.

I advise my breast augmentation patients that they may tan with sunblock 30 or higher after the third week. Ultraviolet light can make a scar redder for a longer period of time. It's always best to check with your surgeon’s protocol. To read more, click on the link below.
Dr. Ted Eisenberg
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

Tanning beds are never a good idea due to the risk of skin cancer. In addition, if your scars are left uncovered, they will have a tendency to turn darker. If you must tan, wait at least 6 weeks prior to getting a spray tan or use a self-tanner. 

Wait 3 weeks after surgery before you resume tanning. When tanning, cover incisions with sunscreen or a swimsuit for 2 months after surgery. If you tan incisions they will become darker and more noticeable.

Hello,Of course tanning beds are generally not recommended for health and safety reasons. Immediately after surgery, Inflamed skin, exposed to tanning may have pigmentation or rash issues. Stretch marks and scars may darken. I recommend that you wait at least a few months and then always cover your scars with a good sun block in the future.All the best

Thank you for your question.  UVA/UVB rays from the sun or tanning bed should be avoided on healing scars and bruised areas as these areas can pigment, creating darker scars or brown spots.  Although I do recognize that patient's like to tan, tanning is not recommended for overall skin health.  Best of luck.

Tanning at this stage won't slow the healing but it could greatly affect the eventual appearance. There are always surgical scars that have to heal after your procedure and this early they'll have a tendency to tan and then stay tanned when you go back to normal color leaving them very visible. Some patients can also develop mild stretch marks after augmentation and these are also a type of scar so the same pigmentation with tanning can happen with those as well. It's probably best to hold off on the tanning at this point and wait until you are completely healed if you don't want to affect your results.  Hope that helps! 

Thank you for your question. I would not recommend tanning beds ever due to health and safety reasons. However, if a patient likes to use them, I would not recommend going into a tanning bed any sooner than 6 months post operatively. After any surgery, your skin is more susceptible to UV rays, and you are more likely going to burn, not tan. Also, if your scars are still prematurely healed and red in color, the UV rays will likely cause the scars to discolor, or turn brown. You are also more susceptible to hypertrophying (thickening) of the scars. If you do use a tanning bed after your breast augmentation, I would suggest covering any scar with zinc oxide sun block, and covering your entire chest down to your ribcage with SPF 50 or higher to avoid burning. As always, consult with your plastic surgeon for further advice!