Is it okay to tan after Smart Lipo?

Question

5 months ago I had SmartLipo to my outer thighs. Is there an adverse reaction in tanning or being in the sun on the area that had the lipo? Other than general sun damage. I like to get a base tan about 5 Times in a high quality tanning bed, and then apply sunscreen the rest of the summer. With 3 kids and a pool I tend to get sun even with the use of 50 SPF. I’m worried that the area that had the SmartLipo will discolor or look different from what it used to. Thank you!

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.Yes, you can tan after having smart lipo.  I suggest putting sunblock on the incision sites to keep them from burning. Contact your surgeon with any concerns. Best of luck!

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

You should apply a strong sunblock over your scars or cover them up in the first year of healing to avoid hyperpigmentation.

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

If you don’t have a color change on the treatment area, you can have a sunbath and get tanned after the 5th month of SmartLipo Treatment.

Renata Wix-Harris, MD · Answer

SmartLipo is safe for any skin type or skin color and sun exposure does not affect the results of your treatment. You may be tan when you have the treatment and you may tan after the treatment, but it is not encouraged as UV light breaks down collagen. It is also important to protect the incisions from the sun as they are more sensitive to the sun and may burn, which can cause hyperpigmentation of the incision sites.

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

you are 5 months post Smartlipo. you can do anything and everything you want, except put on weight. i think it is fine to tan shortly after Smartlipo. However, in the first several weeks, there is often numbness in the skin which can make you more prone to burning in the sun. However if you are careful about that, then tanning should be fine.david berman md

Is it okay to tan after Smart Lipo?

Answers (5)