Now at 7 months post TKR. When is it safe to allow sunshine on the scar? Although knowing our British weather by the time I get my legs out it will be raining!
As soon as the stitches or staples are gone and it stops draining. Just make sure you use a sunscreen as you don't want to suffer a sunburn to add to your other miseries.
When I worked on Burns & Plastics we advised at least 1 year for sutures and 2 years for new skin. If your scar is a clean one then its probably OK now but use at least factor 30 sunscreen. If you use factor 50 make sure it doesnt have metals in it i.e zinc
Why would zinc be a problem?
Zinc and another couple of things are metals and can burn even after sun The 30s are safe I understand South Sfrica & Australia have banned the 50s & they should know
Thanks for that. I didn't know this. I often use Factor 50. I will check the ingredients and probably change to 30 now.
Look forward to the answer! I live in Tenerife, and last week my daughter came over for a few days and we sat by the pool and chatted . . overcast, not very hot. . and I competely forgot about not getting the scar in the sun. Result, a bit of sunburn! doesn't seem to have done any ahrm at all as far as I can see (21 weeks)
Im 10 weeks post op. n iv had my legs in sun had factor 20 on and just kept putting more on every hour im fair skinned and burn easy but iv been ok .just need some more sunshine now xx
Well I'm back from a week in the canaries still have lily white legs but the discolouration on my tkr knee is now darker even with factor 30 - bet you're all well jealous !!
Hope you enjoyed Gran Canaria! It's pretty similar to where I live (tenerife) but there are some differences, so perhaps on your next Canaries visit you'll try tenerife! Gran Canaria does have some spectacular sand dunes, but I doubt it you were up to walking on soft sand. . it's hard enough with perfect knees! this year summer seems rather late really starting . . (thank heavens!)