Can I Go to a Tanning Salon 6 Months after Hair Transplant Surgery?

Can I use sunbeds 6 months after my hair transplant? My hair is shaved to a grade 4.

Let me begin by saying that I do not recommend the use of tanning beds under any circumstances. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), exposure to UVA and UVB rays from tanning beds can cause cancer, damage skin and result in a host of other injuries and complications. However, to answer your question, at 6 months after hair transplant surgery, there is no specific risk to hair growth of the transplanted grafts.

One of the reasons why hair restoration surgeons advise against exposing a new hair transplants to direct sunlight is that a burn on a fresh recipient site may dry out and permanently damage unhealed grafts. Another reason is that exposure to direct UV light can cause hyperpigmentation (change in color) of the skin in the recipient area.

It’s always best to play it safe when it comes to exposure to sunlight and use a hat or sunblock. If you’re trying to get color, perhaps try one of the sunless tanning options available instead of damaging your skin in a tanning bed.

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David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community.

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