Question:
What is the scoop on Tanning and 3 month old scars from TT?
Should I tan or not? Can I just put on a sunblock on the scar line? Does it really affect how the scar fades? Whats your views on this? Its nice weather here in Seattle and I want to try out the new bikini but don't want to affect how my scars fade. — Kris T. (posted on June 6, 2003)
June 6, 2003
I personally think tanning helps the scars fade. I had lap surgery so my
scars are small but before tanning they were a reddish purple color. Now
they are almost invisible. And they also don't seem quite as raised as
they used to be. Just my opinion though, good luck!
— Laurel C.
June 6, 2003
HI, I just started tanning. My scar has gotten a little darker but it lost
its redness and actually looks alot better. If you want to be extra
careful, cover it up half the time. But Mine was fine. I had open RNY so I
have a nice 6 inch line down my belly. Good luck to you!!
— Des812
June 6, 2003
Kris, many years ago I had a TT..had 10 lb. babies, so I had a bit of loose
skin at the very bottom of my stomach that did not bounce back into shape.
So 14 yrs. ago I had the TT. I can tell you from years of tanning and out
door sunning, you can not tell I have a long scar from a tummy tuck, for
the light, thin scar tanned perfectly! Today, even though I had gained 100+
lbs, and lost 100+ pounds, many times, through out these 14 years, my
stomach is still and has always been flat! The TT even took away those very
deep stretch marks and gave me back a nice round belly button! Since my
RNY, in fact, I bought my own tanning bed, I do tan daily. The tan really
helped even out the color of my scars. As a previous post said, the scars
are no longer blue/red/purple looking, but now a nice flat tan which you
can't even see unless one really looks hard. Good luck to you Kris, and
many ((((HUGS)))))
— kd
June 6, 2003
I was told by my surgeon not to expose my scar to sunlight for 1 year.
Supposedly the skin is thinner and more likely to absorb damage from the
sun or artifical light. Perhaps you should ask your Dr. and try a tanning
cream before venturing to the tanning booth.
— lovemonterey
June 6, 2003
I don't have the TT scare yet, but I have the 7in scar from my open rny and
I started tanning around 2mo post-op and my scar looks better now being
darker. You could always cover up the scar for a little while longer then
expose it. Maybe you should ask the one who did your TT:o) Good luck!
— Sandy M.
June 6, 2003
I'm not sure about that particular type of scar. However, when my son got
stitches on his forehead, the doctor said to be SURE and keep sunscreen on
it for a year, or it would not fade as well. (Even just in and out of the
car). We followed his advice and his scar looks great--he had 12
stitiches!) Shelley
— Shelley.
June 6, 2003
I had neck surgery many years ago and you cannot see the scar at all. My
doctor said keep the incision out of the sun for a year. I did as he said
I wore scarfs and sunscreen. No one would ever know that I had surgery on
my neck. He did a great job and I followed all his instructions. I
suggest you ask your plastic surgeon.
— Sharon L.
June 6, 2003
I am 9 weeks post-op WLS. I was told by surgeon that if I exposed the scars
to sunlight or tanning beds that they will turn a more purple color and
stay that way. She suggested a heavy sunscreen for outdoors and to cover
them completely in a tanning bed. You could just wear undies couldn't you
to cover the scar. I sure would not risk it. If it is from a tummy tuck
them why ruin an awsome stomach with a ugly purple scar- think you worked
to hard for that flat tummy!!!
— Jan S.
June 6, 2003
I would use Bull Frog stick, and keep the scars covered up and you should
be fine. I use this product on my arm scars when I go to the beach and
they are fading away to nothing at 6 months.
Diane N.
— DianeN
June 7, 2003
I was told the same thing as Jan S. below by a surgeon and 2 different
dermatologists. They said to wait at least a year before exposing scar to
sunlight (natural OR artificial).
— Lynette B.
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