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Thyroidectomy Scar and Tanning beds.

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j_bis10

October 9th, 2011

I am 22 years old, otherwise really healthy - go to the gym 4-5 times a week and really good diet.

I had a thyroidectomy last year on October 13, 2010. It was not cancerous yet, but I had elevated levels of calcium so their diagnosis was that I would have Thyroid cancer in later years.

I am not an avid tanner, but once in a while I like to go to the beds and receive a little colour. My acne is not always under control and I find that when I do tan even just a little, the acne subsides.

My question is, after a year, can I go? How should I cover my scar if I do? It's pretty much healed, I still use Mederma on it daily and SPF 80 when I go outside.

Thank-you
J

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Gaelic

replied October 13th, 2011

Especially eHealthy

j_bis10,

Plastic surgeons usually recommend that scars not be exposed to sunlight for about one year. In the early stages of healing, if a scar is exposed to a lot of ultraviolet light, it will turn a dark brown color. Almost as if it gets extra tanned forever. And will always be a darker color than the surrounding tissue.

During the first year it is recommended that the scar be covered with a small bandage. But, as time progresses, it is then okay to go to a very high number sun block.

Since you are now a year out from your surgery, it is probably okay for it to be in the sun. If you are concerned, place a little sun block, in a stripe, just over the incision line.

(Of course, you know how plastic surgeons feel about tanning in general!)

Good luck.

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	Tags: thyroid, thyroidectomy, thyroid cancer, diagnosis, Cancer, Diet, Acne, cancer diagnosis, acne thyroid, after cancer

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