Exposure to sunlight.

[george92]

How soon after the op is it safe to expose the skin to sunlight, as in beach intensity sunlight?

[Jake]

Actually, it's best not to expose the scars to direct sunlight until they are almost completely healed.  This will take about 6 to 7 months.
In some people it can take a year for them to fade.

But if you really want to get in the sun shirtless, use a very strong sunblock and put a little extra around the scars.  I would reapply the sunblock to the scars every couple of hours just to be safe as well.

Tanning with the scars will usually make the scars turn a different color than the rest of your skin.  This can be a problem as it will make the scars more noticeable.  Plus, healing skin should not EVER get sun burnt.  You can face some nasty problems if that happened.

Sunblock, sunblock, sunblock!

 

[george92]

Hmm, I'd better not risk it then. Besides, its not going to be like I have breasts to hide by then, so it'll look generally quite normal.

[strato]

Tanning with the scars will usually make the scars turn a different color than the rest of your skin.  This can be a problem as it will make the scars more noticeable.

Hi Jake, can I ask you a question? Do you think even after our scars are healed (like 8-12 months after the operation), can they still change color after tanning? because yes we will be healed by that time but there will always be a scar there even it is barely noticable or not..

[Pacifico]

I think that question needs a doctors answer.  I always hear six months.