Is it alright to tan after tummy tuck?
You PS should give you the post op instructions . Sun exposure directly to the incision site is not recommended even with the highest SPF.
Even though we all love the sun – try to stay in the shade post operatively – since it can directly affect the scar healing. (Thomas Trevisani, Sr., MD, Orlando Plastic Surgeon)
Tanning after tummy tuck
You should discuss the post-operative management of your scars with your surgeon.
UV exposure (sun or tanning booth) can inflame scars and contribute to poor scar appearance.
Although high SPF is good, the best thing for scars is for them to not be exposed to UV radiation at all. (Michael B. Tantillo, MD, Boston Plastic Surgeon)
Discuss scar management with your surgeon. For you best result, do not tan your scar until the color fades, and it is completely healed. Don’t trust just a sunscreen. We give patient a flesh colored paper tape to use on the scar, also. (Robert E. Zaworski, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
Do not tan soon after tummy tuck
Sun exposure can make your tummy tuck scars red and raised-scars take two full years to mature and direct sun exposure can make the scars inflamed. Be sure to discuss this with your surgeon. UV radiation can penetrate most bikini bottoms.
If you are in the sun you need complete block out over the incision-sun block is not enough. (Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS, Boston Plastic Surgeon)
Suntanning With Tummy Tuck Scar
Even though 50SPF is pretty high, I recommend you not expose your incisions to direct sunlight at all to avoid any chance of unsightly scarring in the first year. (Jerome Edelstein, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)
Tanning after surgery
I would not recommend you tanning this close to the surgery. I would not recommend tanning at all.
Tanning only the detrimental to your general skin health and your incision’s final appearance. (Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, FACS, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)