When putting together an acne fighting regimen, many people ask themselves the question “Does tanning help acne?” Unfortunately, there is not a straight answer to this question. While tanning may appear to be a quick fix in the battle against acne, the long term side effects may make you reconsider this method. Abuse of tanning can affect your health drastically.
You have probably noticed that your acne is less noticeable during the summer. This is not a coincidence. Tanning will actually help to camouflage the discoloration of pimples and red spots. This is only a very short term solution though, as the tanning will only act as a band aid. When your tan fades, the acne can actually come back stronger and more severe. The sebaceous glands which are the main glands affected when acne strikes are heavily influenced by environmental factors such as heat. Using a tanning bed or lying out in the sun can actually make your skin produce more oil. This is not something that is desirable in the battle against acne. Tanning acne scars will also not give you any benefit. Tanning will not help cure or heal scars. It can actually make your scars appear deeper as shadows will be created as your skin darkens.
Tanning is also a major factor in the development of skin cancer. If you are an individual with fair skin or a lot of moles, you are at an even greater risk. This risk is magnified even further if you are using acne medications. Basically, all of the main acne fighters will increase your skin’s photosensitivity. Photosensitivity is an abnormal sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet light. The biggest culprit is Accutane. While this medication offers a great benefit to certain individuals with severe acne, it causes the skin to be extremely photosensitive. Extended periods out in the sun should be avoided and sunscreen should always be worn. This is true for other acne medications such as oral antibiotics that include monocycline, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoid. Please read the label on any type of medication that you are taking to make sure that there are no photosensitivity warnings.
So we now returning to the question of does tanning help acne. Our research shows that you should probably avoid this method when trying to create a healthy complexion. The side effects of potential cancer and wrinkles far outweigh the short term positives. We recommend that you fight your acne through more proven methods. Medication such as benzoyl peroxide and oral antibiotics work great when given under the supervision of a licensed dermatologist. A balanced diet and exercise routine can also go a long way in helping your skin’s resiliency against the menace that is acne. If you are going to be out in the sun for an extended period of time, always remember to apply and re-apply sunscreen. Good luck!