How long do I have to wait to tan after a breast lift?

Question

I just completed a breast lift May 4th. I was wondering if there is an input on here. I used to spray tan often as it's better for skin. I was wondering if there is a time frame as to when it's possible and what if you wear a swim suit in spray tanning. As well, can you ever spray tan a breast lift scar ? Then for real sun and tanning beds what is the general rule with that? Is there a time period that after it passes it's okay or just never ? have 2 major trips coming up. Aug and Oct ...?

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Protect your scars from the sun. Staying out of the sun is the best advice. Minimal exposure to sunlight is prevents hyperpigmentation (permanently turning brown) and other problems that can make the scar more noticeable. Sunscreen, at least 30 SPF and an overlying make camouflage make up additionally protects the scar from the suns harmful rays. This advice is especially important the first year following your surgery.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The best answer can be obtained from the PS who performed your breast lift on May 4th.  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

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Vanity Queen,it is good to wait until your incision is fully healed. You might want to wait for 3-4 weeks before you consider tanning. Make sure that your incision site is covered and use sunscreen. You can discuss it with your plastic surgeon as well. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Kara K. Criswell, MD, FACS · Answer

As with all post surgical care, follow your surgeon’s protocol.  With any surgery that involves an incision, we want that area protected from the elements of the sun.  We want to protect the scar with a scar therapy treatment that has a sunscreen in it as well.  Applying the product on the incision site once the incision is completely healed is recommended even under your swimsuit, since sun can penetrate many fabrics.   We want to avoid darkening of the scar which can occur with sun exposure.

Emily Hu, MD · Answer

My first recomendation is to check with your initial breast lift surgeon as each surgeon has slight variations in their postoperative instructions that would address your questions. In our practice, we recommend that patients keep their incisions dry for at least 48h, and to avoid soaking of the area (ie swimming) for 1 month postoperative. Is someone cannot wait until 1 month postoperative for a spray tan, than we recommend that they at least cover the incisions with Steri-strips (i.e. butterfly strips). After 1 month, they should be able to spray tan the scars itself (as long as all areas are healed). We recommend completely against tanning beds given the very real and high increased risk of skin cancer associated with these machines. We recommend SPF coverage 30 and above over all new scars for the first one year postoperative. Good luck!

Jeffrey Nelson, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question for I think often patients make the mistake of tanning too early, and then darkening their scars. When someone has surgery the healing process of the scars sets off many stimulating factors to heal the wounds. Part of that healing stimulation can also over stimulate the pigment cells at the scar (melanocytes) and those cells can be over responsive to the body's sun exposure for even 4 or 5 months after the surgery. Even if not directly exposed to the sun, if you tan the rest of the body the scars can darken also for they are responding to the body's release of the tanning hormones (melanocyte stimulating hormone). It's usually best to wait several months before actively tanning so consider spray tan the first few months and if you are going to tan early be sure to get some hydroquinone from your doctor to use on your scars to counter act the scars trying to darken

Tamir Mosharrafa, MD · Answer

Good morning and congratulations on the completion of your surgery. Studies show that the final color of a scar is not achieved for about 13 months on average. In my practice, I ask patients to avoid sun exposure or spray tanning directly to the scar for a full year. You can certainly tan around the scars, but any exposure to sun or spray tan during the first year may have an effect on the final appearance of the scar. Enjoy your upcoming trips!

Shaun Parson, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for your question.  I typically tell my patients that they need to wait 3 weeks prior to starting exercise (limited until 6 weeks) or swimming following that surgery.  Once the incision is at a 3 week point (as long as you are not experiencing any wound healing issues) you should be fine.  Best of luck.

How long do I have to wait to tan after a breast lift?

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