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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