Tanning after Radiation???
Comments
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tanning after rads
Hello~
I had a vacation planned for hawaii(6 weeks after rads)~my radiation oncologist said to wear a swimsuit that covered the area of radiation, and use sunscreen. He also warned me of lubing up before going in the water because the water reflects onto our skin and can burn. I followed his advice and had a wonderful vacation-that was 3 years ago. I was able to use up my tanning salon visits the following summer-but I kept my radiation area covered with a towel. Just to be safe. That is my experience-ask your doctor and follow his advice.
Melanie0 -
Thank God for tanning
I asked my doctor if I could go to a tanning bed while I was in the midst of chemo. He said I will NEVER give any patient permission to use a tanning bed but you need to know that the drugs will make you more sensative to the UV rays. Since it was the middle of winter and we had received a 100 inches of snow that winter, I made the call on my own. I decided that death my slitting the throat was more imminent than death by tanning bed. I REALLY needed that warmth and light therapy. No to mention the fact that it took away some of the low hemoglobin/hematocrit pale face look.
I am not a big tanning bed person but I do like to go a few times in the spring to prevent my fair skin from frying the first few times I am outside. I did go a few times last spring which was about 6 weeks post-radiation but I too always cover that area with at towel. Partly because I will be having more reconstruction surgery and the plastic surgeon said that the tanned skin will not heal as well and partly just to prevent further ray damage. I did not have any problems with the tanning with that area covered.
Good luck.
Rita0 -
Thank you!ritazimm said:Thank God for tanning
I asked my doctor if I could go to a tanning bed while I was in the midst of chemo. He said I will NEVER give any patient permission to use a tanning bed but you need to know that the drugs will make you more sensative to the UV rays. Since it was the middle of winter and we had received a 100 inches of snow that winter, I made the call on my own. I decided that death my slitting the throat was more imminent than death by tanning bed. I REALLY needed that warmth and light therapy. No to mention the fact that it took away some of the low hemoglobin/hematocrit pale face look.
I am not a big tanning bed person but I do like to go a few times in the spring to prevent my fair skin from frying the first few times I am outside. I did go a few times last spring which was about 6 weeks post-radiation but I too always cover that area with at towel. Partly because I will be having more reconstruction surgery and the plastic surgeon said that the tanned skin will not heal as well and partly just to prevent further ray damage. I did not have any problems with the tanning with that area covered.
Good luck.
Rita
From what you all have written, maybeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I could tan in about 2 months. I will make sure I cover the radiated area with a towel. But, after this year..I should be ok to tan without anything covering it. You all have helped!0 -
Good Question!Jeanne D said:Thank you!
From what you all have written, maybeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I could tan in about 2 months. I will make sure I cover the radiated area with a towel. But, after this year..I should be ok to tan without anything covering it. You all have helped!
I am so glad that somebody asked this question. When I had chemo they said "Stay out of the sun".. whan I had Rads they said "stay out of the sun"... BUT nobody said for how long. Well I'm going to enjoy the sun this summer no matter what! Last year I spent all the lovely weather wrapped in a bight TURQUOISE kaftan, sat in the shade. This year I have to make up for that! Woohooooooo!0 -
Tasha I love your photo! It
Tasha I love your photo! It makes me smile every time I see it.
Just thought I would add my disclaimer. Of course no physician would advocate sun tanning. And as a nurse I shouldn't either, but I have found that there are times when I need it for my mental health and that can out weigh the physical possiblities that I may have to deal with in the future.
God bless!
Rtia0 -
My radiation oncologist saidritazimm said:Tasha I love your photo! It
Tasha I love your photo! It makes me smile every time I see it.
Just thought I would add my disclaimer. Of course no physician would advocate sun tanning. And as a nurse I shouldn't either, but I have found that there are times when I need it for my mental health and that can out weigh the physical possiblities that I may have to deal with in the future.
God bless!
Rtia
My radiation oncologist said to never expose the radiated area to the sun. But, as he said, I am a doctor. Everything else that I have read seems to state to wait a year. I will probably forego tanning a few months after I am done with radiation, but, I will probably tan outside after that. I need my tan!!!0 -
Everyone should always use sunscreen...
Hello, Jeanne D. There are many other posts here already about sun/tanning precautions during chemo & rads. So mine is about sun exposure, in general. My medical oncologist treats only breast cancer - he's a specialist. His nurses call him "Doogie Howser" - but, not to his knowledge! He's exactly my age - looks HALF my years. His face is as smooth as a baby's butt! (Hence, the "Doogie Howser" nickname.) I once asked him: how do you care for your complexion? His answer: he is never without sunscreen on his face, neck, hands - minimum. All year 'round. Since childhood. Everyone in his family is extremely fair-skinned & burns easily. His mother was "ahead of her time" - slathering he & his siblings daily, all exposed parts. He skis in the winter, golfs in the summer. This man doesn't have even a hint of a wrinkle anywhere on his face - not even expression lines, like around the eyes! He also told me that treating & fighting breast cancer is his profession, his life. Promoting skin cancer awareness is his "hobby!"
I tan really well, thanks to my mostly Italian-American heritage. However, when you listen to the skin experts - they all say that NOTHING ages the skin more than sun exposure. At this point in my life, I truly regret all those carefree hours spent unprotected in the sun during my younger days. Because it now shows on my face as wrinkles & those light brown "sun spots." So, my vanity is no longer focused on what COLOR I am; but, rather on trying my best to prevent future damage. I use self-tanners on my body (not my face) during the summer, and switch over to slightly darker color cosmetics to match up my complexion. And - yes, I religiously use sunscreen.
To each his own. I'm certainly not trying to tell anyone what to do. Just food for thought. However, as a cancer survivor & activist - I do, always, urge everyone to use sunscreen.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
I am going to enjoy the SUNChristmas Girl said:Everyone should always use sunscreen...
Hello, Jeanne D. There are many other posts here already about sun/tanning precautions during chemo & rads. So mine is about sun exposure, in general. My medical oncologist treats only breast cancer - he's a specialist. His nurses call him "Doogie Howser" - but, not to his knowledge! He's exactly my age - looks HALF my years. His face is as smooth as a baby's butt! (Hence, the "Doogie Howser" nickname.) I once asked him: how do you care for your complexion? His answer: he is never without sunscreen on his face, neck, hands - minimum. All year 'round. Since childhood. Everyone in his family is extremely fair-skinned & burns easily. His mother was "ahead of her time" - slathering he & his siblings daily, all exposed parts. He skis in the winter, golfs in the summer. This man doesn't have even a hint of a wrinkle anywhere on his face - not even expression lines, like around the eyes! He also told me that treating & fighting breast cancer is his profession, his life. Promoting skin cancer awareness is his "hobby!"
I tan really well, thanks to my mostly Italian-American heritage. However, when you listen to the skin experts - they all say that NOTHING ages the skin more than sun exposure. At this point in my life, I truly regret all those carefree hours spent unprotected in the sun during my younger days. Because it now shows on my face as wrinkles & those light brown "sun spots." So, my vanity is no longer focused on what COLOR I am; but, rather on trying my best to prevent future damage. I use self-tanners on my body (not my face) during the summer, and switch over to slightly darker color cosmetics to match up my complexion. And - yes, I religiously use sunscreen.
To each his own. I'm certainly not trying to tell anyone what to do. Just food for thought. However, as a cancer survivor & activist - I do, always, urge everyone to use sunscreen.
Kind regards, Susan
I am going to enjoy the SUN when I finish my radiation treatments. I will wait a few weeks or maybe a couple of months until my radiated area is all healed and looks normal again. But, I will not give up the beach or the sun. If I get wrinkles when I am older..who cares? At least I survived to get old. And, I doubt there will be a lot of women my age that won't have any wrinkles. That is a part of being old I guess..isn't it? And, I wouldn't want a pasty, white looking man/doctor that looks half his age. YUCK..not for me...lol I like a rugged man..a real man. To each his own!
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tanning productNoel said:I am going to enjoy the SUN
I am going to enjoy the SUN when I finish my radiation treatments. I will wait a few weeks or maybe a couple of months until my radiated area is all healed and looks normal again. But, I will not give up the beach or the sun. If I get wrinkles when I am older..who cares? At least I survived to get old. And, I doubt there will be a lot of women my age that won't have any wrinkles. That is a part of being old I guess..isn't it? And, I wouldn't want a pasty, white looking man/doctor that looks half his age. YUCK..not for me...lol I like a rugged man..a real man. To each his own!
I love the sun too, but don't use tanning salon any longer, and try to limit how much sun I get. BUT, I look so much healtheir with a tan, so I DO need SOME tanning.
I use a product can Faux Tan by Bare Escentials, and love it. It is the ONLY tanning product I have ever liked. I use it a couple times of week to keep my arms, legs, neck and chest area tanned. I like to mix it with my moisturizer as I apply it. It doesn't have that gross odor that most products have. They do have a Faux Tan moisturizer to use in between, but I think it has a slight odor. I just like the Faux Tan sunless tanner.
Anyway, thought I would let you know about it, in case you want to use it until you can tan again.
Take care,
Debbie0 -
Faux Tantatooedinpink said:tanning product
I love the sun too, but don't use tanning salon any longer, and try to limit how much sun I get. BUT, I look so much healtheir with a tan, so I DO need SOME tanning.
I use a product can Faux Tan by Bare Escentials, and love it. It is the ONLY tanning product I have ever liked. I use it a couple times of week to keep my arms, legs, neck and chest area tanned. I like to mix it with my moisturizer as I apply it. It doesn't have that gross odor that most products have. They do have a Faux Tan moisturizer to use in between, but I think it has a slight odor. I just like the Faux Tan sunless tanner.
Anyway, thought I would let you know about it, in case you want to use it until you can tan again.
Take care,
Debbie
Thanks Debbie,
I really have been avoiding the tanning bed as much as possible but I too look so pasty without any tan. People start asking me if I'm feeling okay because I'm so pale with dark circles under my eyes.
I was considering trying the spray on tan but I always wonder if that stuff comes off on your towels? Not that it matters that much but it seems such a waste to pay for it and then have it wash off every day.
I think maybe I'll give this Faux Tan a try to see if I like the results. I have tried several other 'self tanners' and didn't like the way they went on or the smell.
Thanks for the recommendatuon.
BTW, you look like a very beatuiful woman and you and your hubby look great together!
Rita0 -
Bare Escentuals Junkie!tatooedinpink said:tanning product
I love the sun too, but don't use tanning salon any longer, and try to limit how much sun I get. BUT, I look so much healtheir with a tan, so I DO need SOME tanning.
I use a product can Faux Tan by Bare Escentials, and love it. It is the ONLY tanning product I have ever liked. I use it a couple times of week to keep my arms, legs, neck and chest area tanned. I like to mix it with my moisturizer as I apply it. It doesn't have that gross odor that most products have. They do have a Faux Tan moisturizer to use in between, but I think it has a slight odor. I just like the Faux Tan sunless tanner.
Anyway, thought I would let you know about it, in case you want to use it until you can tan again.
Take care,
Debbie
Hi, Debbie. I am a Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals junkie! I love the fact that the cosmetics are pure. And, the face foundation includes SPF - so, don't need a separate product.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
.tatooedinpink said:tanning product
I love the sun too, but don't use tanning salon any longer, and try to limit how much sun I get. BUT, I look so much healtheir with a tan, so I DO need SOME tanning.
I use a product can Faux Tan by Bare Escentials, and love it. It is the ONLY tanning product I have ever liked. I use it a couple times of week to keep my arms, legs, neck and chest area tanned. I like to mix it with my moisturizer as I apply it. It doesn't have that gross odor that most products have. They do have a Faux Tan moisturizer to use in between, but I think it has a slight odor. I just like the Faux Tan sunless tanner.
Anyway, thought I would let you know about it, in case you want to use it until you can tan again.
Take care,
Debbie
.0 -
Good for you, NoelNoel said:I am going to enjoy the SUN
I am going to enjoy the SUN when I finish my radiation treatments. I will wait a few weeks or maybe a couple of months until my radiated area is all healed and looks normal again. But, I will not give up the beach or the sun. If I get wrinkles when I am older..who cares? At least I survived to get old. And, I doubt there will be a lot of women my age that won't have any wrinkles. That is a part of being old I guess..isn't it? And, I wouldn't want a pasty, white looking man/doctor that looks half his age. YUCK..not for me...lol I like a rugged man..a real man. To each his own!
You GO for it. Yes, to each his own - personal decisions. And, just FYI...
I do not inhibit my enjoyment of the outdoors in any way. I simply protect my skin.
And I must defend my doctor. He is not "pasty & white looking" - is actually quite attractive. :-)
Kind regards, Susan0 -
I willChristmas Girl said:Good for you, Noel
You GO for it. Yes, to each his own - personal decisions. And, just FYI...
I do not inhibit my enjoyment of the outdoors in any way. I simply protect my skin.
And I must defend my doctor. He is not "pasty & white looking" - is actually quite attractive. :-)
Kind regards, Susan
I will enjoy the sun as I did before all of this and it will be fine. I will wait an acceptable time limit after radiation treatments and take it in small doses. But, I won't let cancer take away my enjoyment and satisfaction of having a natural tan. I only assumed your doctor was pasty and white looking from your previous description and I have seen doctor's that look like that and all I can say is what I said previously..YUCK! lol
p.s. Thanks debbie for that info..I will certainly look into it. You look GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!0 -
Thanks for the compliment! Iritazimm said:Faux Tan
Thanks Debbie,
I really have been avoiding the tanning bed as much as possible but I too look so pasty without any tan. People start asking me if I'm feeling okay because I'm so pale with dark circles under my eyes.
I was considering trying the spray on tan but I always wonder if that stuff comes off on your towels? Not that it matters that much but it seems such a waste to pay for it and then have it wash off every day.
I think maybe I'll give this Faux Tan a try to see if I like the results. I have tried several other 'self tanners' and didn't like the way they went on or the smell.
Thanks for the recommendatuon.
BTW, you look like a very beatuiful woman and you and your hubby look great together!
Rita
Thanks for the compliment! I left a very stressful mgmt position a few months ago, and now work with my husband in our family business. So that is a happy, well rested, look you see!
Have a great week, Rita!0 -
BE junkie too :-)Christmas Girl said:Bare Escentuals Junkie!
Hi, Debbie. I am a Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals junkie! I love the fact that the cosmetics are pure. And, the face foundation includes SPF - so, don't need a separate product.
Kind regards, Susan
Susan, me too! I use almost all their products. I also use products from Mountain Rose Herbs in Oregon. I order online from them. They are a great company. Check them out.
Take care!
Debbie0 -
Your welcome and thank youNoel said:I will
I will enjoy the sun as I did before all of this and it will be fine. I will wait an acceptable time limit after radiation treatments and take it in small doses. But, I won't let cancer take away my enjoyment and satisfaction of having a natural tan. I only assumed your doctor was pasty and white looking from your previous description and I have seen doctor's that look like that and all I can say is what I said previously..YUCK! lol
p.s. Thanks debbie for that info..I will certainly look into it. You look GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!
Your welcome and thank you :-)0
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