HRT and Tanning?!? Is it safe?

Hello ladies,
I am new and I am not sure if I posted this in the correct area. I am on Premerin 0.45 once daily. I will be going on vacation in about a month to sunny florida and I am wondering if it is safe for me to tan? I had my hysto in 2007 and I avoid the sun for the most part. I have not tanned in a tanning bed and I head the warning on the bottle... I dive into the SPF and if I don't, I look like a lobster after a hour outside. I have read some get blothcy, I have not had this problem outdoors.... Have any of you tanned in a tanning bed on HRT? I have always been a ghost, but thanks to premerin I tan quickly and burn faster compared to before my surgery....
I was thinking about going for 2 or 3 minutes for a couple weeks before vacation.
Thank you for your help!!
Niecy

Niecy,
No, it is not safe. Estrogen does make us more sun sensitive. I have found that I burn and freckle more easily since my surgery. I have read that using tanning beds is not much better.

Here's an old thread from our archives that you may find interesting https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...threadid=59427

About 20 years ago I decided to try the tanning bed. I ended up with several large areas of darkened (brownish) skin. It was awful! I had to try to cover them with make-up, which was difficult to do. I haven't done any real "sunning" since then!

Even if you were not on any form of HRT, tanning beds are never safe.

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The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced today that it has moved UV tanning beds to its highest cancer risk category -- "carcinogenic to humans." http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-a...s-cause-cancer.

The tan you get in a tanning bed or from the sun is temporary, but the damage you can do to your skin is permanent. If you absolutely, positively need a tan, perhaps a tan from a bottle or spray on tan would be the best way to get one.

If I am going to the beach, then I do go do some tanning, but am very careful. Otherwise, I am a lobster. I apply large amounts of sunscreen outside even if I have a little tan going. It's not good for you, so make sure you don't go for very long. How about a spray tan, then apply lots of spf while you at at the beach? I think the spray tans are looking better than they did.

Here is what NOT to do. When I first had my hysterectomy in 2000, I was trying the patch. I did go to the tanning salon, and the heat from the bed released ALL OF THE ESTROGEN AT ONCE! I was a miserable puppy for about a week. Felt like I was going to explode.

I have been tanning the whole time since starting hrt, and I am fine,,,but I was tanning prior, and I am olive tone....

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Originally Posted by jeannie_b I have been tanning the whole time since starting hrt, and I am fine,,,but I was tanning prior, and I am olive tone....

It is not a good idea. You may be fine now, but I would worry about the future.

Tanning is not safe- period.
All the available research indicates that HRT increases the risks already inherent in tanning.
Self-tanners have gotten much, much better and a good moisturizer and broad spectrum sunscreen will help keep your skin looking good for a good long time.

I was tanning in my tanning bed when my stitches were still in. I just covered them up. Was on shot then. Have also tanned on pill. I would mention to cover up your scars or use high SPF on them. They will be more sensitive and the sun makes them darker. I did read the patch will release more hormone if in sun, so I don't use it for that reason. I haven't had any problems and haven't noticed I'm more sensitive to the sun either. Enjoy your vacation and just start out slow like you would've before.

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Originally Posted by DeliaDeLyon Tanning is not safe- period. All the available research indicates that HRT increases the risks already inherent in tanning. Self-tanners have gotten much, much better and a good moisturizer and broad spectrum sunscreen will help keep your skin looking good for a good long time.

I have to wonder if self tanners will eventually be problematic as well. All of us who use transdermal hormone application know that the skin is a great vehicle for delivery. What happens to all of those chemicals used on the skin when they disappear? I suspect they'll be building up in our tissues like many other toxic substances we unknowingly take in.