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Can I Get in a Tanning Bed If I Have Stents?

A stent is a mesh tube placed in an artery to restore sufficient blood flow. Cardiac stents can be made of metal or fabric and are placed in the artery through a catheter. Post-procedure, the area where the catheter was inserted will be bruised and sore for about one week. Physicians recommend limiting exercise and avoiding heavy lifting for a short time period after the procedure. Some female patients wonder if it is safe to use tanning beds.

  1. Regulations

    • As of 2010, each state is individually responsible for regulating tanning salons. Some states have regulations and others do not. As of 2010, there are no official or absolute contraindications for the use of tanning beds. Therefore, there are no specific recommendations for those with stents regarding use of a tanning bed. However, because placing a stent does require opening the skin, you should allow the incision site to heal before exposing it to tanning rays. If you wish to return to the tanning bed before the site completely heals, you should cover the area while tanning.

    Suggested Contraindications

    • The British Association of Dermatologists warns against the danger of using tanning beds, however they are realistic in knowing that many will continue to use them. They have therefore suggested the following guidelines. They recommend that you should not frequent a tanning bed for more than two courses per year. A course is defined as 30 10-minute sessions. In addition, they advise against tanning beds if you are fair skinned, have a history or family history of skin cancer, have damaged skin, are under 16 years old, burn easily, have numerous freckles and moles, or are on medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight. Because the placement of stents often coincides with new medications, you should discuss all your medications with your physician to see if any of them increase sensitivity to UV radiation.

    Warnings

    • In July 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds as a group 1 carcinogen, a cancer causing agent. The American Academy of Dermatologists also cites that using a tanning bed before the age of 35 increases the risk for melanoma by 75 percent. It would be wise for your to consider other tanning options such as spray tans, creams or lotions.

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