Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of MyBCTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

How long does it takes your skin color to come back after having radiation on your breast?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Portsmouth, VA
June 22
 · 
Be the first to react
A MyBCTeam Member

Mine never did, finished radiation 4/2019. I was told radiation would make the skin darker. It made mine lighter.

June 22
A MyBCTeam Member

I finished radiation in December and my face color has not returned. My breast color is slowly coming back.

June 22
MyBCTeam

Great question! Skin color changes after breast radiation are very common, and the timeline for recovery can vary from person to person.

For short-term skin changes, most side effects tend to improve within 4 to 8 weeks after finishing radiation therapy.

However, some skin color changes can be longer-lasting. Long-term Show Full Answer

Great question! Skin color changes after breast radiation are very common, and the timeline for recovery can vary from person to person.

For short-term skin changes, most side effects tend to improve within 4 to 8 weeks after finishing radiation therapy.

However, some skin color changes can be longer-lasting. Long-term effects that may develop 6 or more months after treatment include:

- Darker or more discolored skin in the treated area
- Thicker or shrunken skin on the treated breast
- More visible pores
- Spider veins (small red or purple blood vessels on the surface) One MyBCTeam member shared that dark discoloration was still present four years after treatment, so for some people, changes can be permanent.

It's always a good idea to let your doctor know about any skin changes you're experiencing. They can recommend moisturizers, sunscreens, or other treatments to help manage discomfort and support healing.

June 22

Related Questions

View All
How Long After Mastectomy Can You Lift Your Arms?
Can You Get Implants After Breast Cancer Surgery?
6 Ways To Ease Back Into Work After Breast Cancer Treatment
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data and Privacy policies.
Already a member? Log In