Question:
Tanning Salon Visits

How important is it to protect my scar (10 mos post op) during visits to the tanning salon? How should I do that?    — Jeanette W. (posted on April 16, 2003)

April 16, 2003
Jeanette, Hi there thought I would pop on in and answer of at least give you some insight, I"ve been tanning regularly for almost 4 months, I'm post op 11 months now, I'm been using the Ultra Bronze beds and the Mega VHR Beds, seeing I'm going for that brown honey tan look, I"ve always been totally white and have always burned in the summer time, last year my husband bought a boat and the only way I won't burn when we go to the lake will be if I get some color now, I've been working on it for about 4 months, tanning nude, and haven't paid any special attention to my scar, in fact, in my personal opinion I think the tanning has actaully made it look better, (I'm had Open RYN) about a 7 inch scar, tanning has made it less noticable and I'm rather flirtatious with showing off a little tummy skin from time to time.... Never in a million years would I have thought I'd ever spend money on a tan, but here I am, unlimited monthly tanning ! , I love it I use it as a reward for being good with my exercise and diet. It's worked so far and the bonus is I acutally like the way my body is looking........ Tanned ! So in regards to your question I didn't do a thing didn't cover it, just treated it as if it was another part of my body, wiped it with tanning lotion and popped into the tanning bed ! Looks great here...... And oh the warmth from the beds ! I love it, I'm hoping it warms up here soon... Can't wait for summer time... Good luck ! Post op 11 months down 127 pounds
   — tannedtigress

April 16, 2003
I have just started tanning. I have been putting some moisturizer with SPF15 on the scar. The other day I missed the bottom. It looks awful now. I know it is strange to have the white streak down my belly but I don't want to take any chances. It would probably be a good idea to check with your doctor and ask what they think.
   — Helenjean P.

April 16, 2003
Tanning "DOES" make the scar look better! The only thing you need to worry about is don't tan prior to the healing of it. You only need to wait 3 months. I've seen this firsthand one of my friends owns a tanning salon, and I also have a tanning bed at home. So go ahead and tan.
   — latrishanickle

April 16, 2003
I was told by two different dermatologists that you MUST protect your scar from the sun for one year....the reason is that it will darken it and the pigment quite possibly not ever go away...i.e. you lose your tan and your scar stays dark.
   — Lynette B.

April 17, 2003
Hi there, I have my own tanning bed at home, and I started tanning again at 4 weeks. People told me to not cover my scar because the "sun" would fade it, but I still cover my middle section completely, and will continue to do so.
   — kim V.