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New knee in the sun

Posted , 14 users are following.

susan20089
susan20089

I have a question for those mainly living in a warm climate.  How do you look after your scar in the sun.  Do you keep your legs out of the sun or do you pu something on the scar.  Everything I read says you must keep the s ar away from the sun.  I am not sure what to do.  I do quite a bit of sunbathing usually, mostly abroad.   Thanks.

0 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

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  • sueoz
    sueoz susan20089

    Posted

    Haven't heard that advice Susan.  I live in Australia and spend 8 months of the year in shorts, so it's going to be quite a challenge
    • susan20089
      susan20089 sueoz

      Posted

      I read that the scar will darken a lot of you sit in the sun and that you should  cover it?  
    • sueoz
      sueoz susan20089

      Posted

      I must ask my surgeon. Seeing him on Tuesday.  Least of my worries at the moment.  I am four weeks post surgery and having the other knee done in four weeks.  No sun in oz at the moment so I have plenty of time 
  • susan20089
    susan20089

    Posted

    Anything in particular?
    • caroline46398
      caroline46398 susan20089

      Posted

      The scar lacks pigment and therefore burning can cause the skin to thicken, the scar will discolour and be more visible. There is plenty of advice online and any medical practitioner will tell you the same - use high factor or block one the scar to be safe.
  • larry99250
    larry99250 susan20089

    Posted

    I've lived in Tucson for the last 35 years. Both my knee replacments healed very nicely. I didn't use any kind of scar creams just use common sense and your body will do the rest.
  • mary0606
    mary0606 susan20089

    Posted

    I also live in northern NSW near Byron Bay.. I just use 50+ sun screen nothing special! I just have to be careful that my thighs don't get burnt as I have no feeling in my outer thighs due to multiple hip replacements???my scars are a very faint white line.
  • PattyLee
    PattyLee susan20089

    Posted

    Susan,  I've been told no direct sun on my scar for a year.  That's not a problem for me, I'm very careful anyways of getting too much direct sun.
  • Annodoremouse
    Annodoremouse susan20089

    Posted

    Its vital that youkeep the scar out of the sun, this is new skin. Would you allow a babyout in sun? I used to work at a burns & plastics unit and the advice was always cover up for 2 years. I went on a cruise at 4.5 mths and got crop trousers so the knee was covered.

     

  • CazDesmond
    CazDesmond susan20089

    Posted

    Hi,

    I live in Perth, Western Australia. It's hot here. 

    I was told never to let the sun on my scar as the Rays could destroy the cells that make the scar.

    i put the 50+ cream on if I have to go out. 

    Caz x

  • allan87044
    allan87044 susan20089

    Posted

    I asked. Sunscreen. The scar will burn. It's new skin. But, ask doc.
  • larry99250
    larry99250 susan20089

    Posted

    So are you planning on basking out in the sun? I thought you were referring to a short walk or a few minutes under an umbrella.

    It took a full year before all the swelling in my knees to go away and in that time I just went for short walks and continued working on my range of motion.

    I wouldn't chance full exposure under the sun until the all the stiches are removed and the wound is completely healed.

    • susan20089
      susan20089 larry99250

      Posted

      Yes I am going to Turkey in June.  I will be 7 months post Tkr by then.  My scar is still quite thick in places and raised so don't want to take any chances.  I just wondered what people do in hot countries. Obviously they don't sunbathe as we Brits do, who hardly ever see the sun, unfortunately.   I will probably Google and see what I can find.  Thanks.  
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