Tanning for clearing up acne?

sinnie · 07-11-2009, 06:24 PM

I wanted to suggest for those of you suffering from blackheads or pimples on your shoulders, back, thighs, etc.

I know when I get a light tan from being outside on my arms and shoulders that strangely enough I stop getting blackheads or pimples for a good amount of time. I think it is because it dries out the skin, but am not sure.

So I joined a gym (which opens in about a month) and it will have free tanning. I want to try and see if tanning helps to reduce the acne on the rest of my body.
Of course this comes with the risk of being exposes to skin cancer, which runs in my family. I figure I will try it a few times and keep extra close watch on any moles on my body, just in case. (Luckily since there is a family history I know exactly what to look for if there is any worry.)

I just wanted to suggest it to anyone who already is thinking about tanning, or see if those of you who tan already have seen any improvement?
I only plan on doing it about once a month, hoping for the best.

amymichele · 07-14-2009, 12:22 PM

tanning helps very much!! spending some time outside getting some sun can seriously help the breakouts!! in the summers i have awesome looking skin!!

sinnie · 07-14-2009, 02:48 PM

OK so it isn't just me. I am hoping to see improvement on my thighs, which have never been tanned in my life because my legs simply DONT tan.
I was thinking it might be the vitamin D, but I take that in a supplement, doctor prescribed 2000UI for my deficiency, and I've been on it for years, so that isn't it.
Hoping my gym opens up soon so I can try it out!! I'm tan on my shoulders and they're nice again!

amymichele · 07-15-2009, 05:47 PM

I joined a cheap tanning bed and go for a month at a time very faithfully. You will see a huge improvement. You might look at tanning areas with the wider bed so you can get the inside of your legs too. Be careful with some medications like provera, you dont need to really be in a tanning bed while on that medication.. YOU WILL BURN... Good luck!

rancidrock08 · 07-18-2009, 01:03 PM

Tanning use to clear my skin up over night (for real). I live in FL now (the sunshine state..) and I'm always in the sun, my skin is the worst it has ever been.

sinnie · 07-18-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rancidrock08

Tanning use to clear my skin up over night (for real). I live in FL now (the sunshine state..) and I'm always in the sun, my skin is the worst it has ever been.

That is probably due to the humidity. I grew up in FL and my skin was much worse there.

TheNewMrs. · 07-18-2009, 02:15 PM

I LOVE tanning for clearing up my skin - and my mind.

I'm terrified of skin cancer, but sometimes it's SO hard to pass up the benefits! I feel SO good when I get done tanning! My moom can easily do a 180 and my skin is definitely better when I'm tanning.

The past two weeks have been esepcially difficult (for non-PCOS reasons). I finally went tanning about 4 days ago (just once) and I felt TONS better - instantly! I love it!

MarianneUnfaithfull · 07-20-2009, 04:28 PM

Tanning really helps with my skin. I used to use sunbeds a lot when I was younger to help my acne. Now I'm paranoid about ageing, but if I have a special event to go to I will use a sunbed before as a one off

sarah02 · 07-21-2009, 02:45 AM

Ladies, tanning is SO bad for your skin and SO dangerous! I can't believe you would trade a high risk of skin cancer just to get rid of acne. I too suffer from it but I have seen the effects of skin cancer (my uncle has a big dent in his face where he had to have it removed) and I will never set foot in a tanning bed again. A lot of dermatologists in America actually think they should be illegal, and for good reason.

raissazhou02 · 07-21-2009, 05:52 AM

Yes, i do not belive the tanning, it really makes me suffer when i do it last summer, and it can improve the risk of skin cancel, this is the main reason for mine giving up.

TheNewMrs. · 07-22-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah02

Ladies, tanning is SO bad for your skin and SO dangerous! I can't believe you would trade a high risk of skin cancer just to get rid of acne.

Well, I suppose we all have our vices. Some people eat too much and are overweight/obese, some have an addiction to smoking cigarettes or other things, some have addictions to alcohol. Some addictions to drugs. There are many, many things to do "bad" in this world. I think we all pick and choose.

As for me, I'm not overweight, I eat healthy, I do not smoke or do drugs and rarely drink alcohol. I always wear my seatbelt and rarely go more than 5 MPH over the speed limit. I exercise fairly regularly, etc....because I go to the tanning bed about once per month....Hm. I just really don't think I'm killing myself by doing so. I guess I just feel that there are MUCH worse things I could be doing to my body.

If I can go tanning once per month and help lift my spirits and really improve my mood (even drastically noticed by DH), improve my skin (in return improving self-esteem), and get a little color, than I'm just going to do that. Sometimes in life there are certain things that can be good and bad (almost everything). You have to weight each side. If the good out-weigh the bad, why not? You can't be perfect.

sinnie · 07-22-2009, 11:06 AM

Good point there. It's not quite an addiction I would say for most of us, more of a choice. But just the same as smoking. People (ie, my mom) know what will happen if they smoke. She saw my dad rot away in front of her with cancer for months before he died, yet she won't give it up. It comforts her in some sick way (IMHO)
Me, I am just looking to tan once a month or two, just dark enough to help my skin. Plus if it really makes you feel that good I'm willing to try it at least once.
I know skin cancer runs in my family, but it is fairly easy to catch if you know what to look out for. If you're quick enough you can just get pre-cancerous cells burned/frozen off and a cream.

I say if you're doing something that is possibly dangerous to your body, at least know the warning signs/symptoms in case something is wrong, so you can correct it.

TheNewMrs. · 07-22-2009, 06:35 PM

Exactly...

I wasn't trying to be rude, but for real. I mean, look around and everyone has a bad habit or makes a bad choice here and there. And who's to say it's a "bad" decision? Maybe it's just "less good." I'm not saying those who tan are necessarily addicted. I DO know people who have become addicted though. Odd, but true.

Overall, I just don't feel that I'm hurting myself anymore by tanning once/month than smoking, not wearing my seatbelt, driving too fast, or eating excess saturated fat.

MarianneUnfaithfull · 07-25-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNewMrs.

Well, I suppose we all have our vices. Some people eat too much and are overweight/obese, some have an addiction to smoking cigarettes or other things, some have addictions to alcohol. Some addictions to drugs. There are many, many things to do "bad" in this world. I think we all pick and choose.

As for me, I'm not overweight, I eat healthy, I do not smoke or do drugs and rarely drink alcohol. I always wear my seatbelt and rarely go more than 5 MPH over the speed limit. I exercise fairly regularly, etc....because I go to the tanning bed about once per month....Hm. I just really don't think I'm killing myself by doing so. I guess I just feel that there are MUCH worse things I could be doing to my body.

If I can go tanning once per month and help lift my spirits and really improve my mood (even drastically noticed by DH), improve my skin (in return improving self-esteem), and get a little color, than I'm just going to do that. Sometimes in life there are certain things that can be good and bad (almost everything). You have to weight each side. If the good out-weigh the bad, why not? You can't be perfect.

That's how I feel. I am prepared to have the occasional sunbed (although not very often but that's because I very rarely have special occasions to go to

). I smoke one cigarette a day which is bad, but I am teetotal, eat junk food (usually McDonald's) probably once a week but prepare most of my meals from scratch using good quality ingredients; swim when I can, never ever touch illegal drugs etc etc. It's about doing things in moderation I suppose, and striking a balance.

smokeyd3 · 07-25-2009, 07:34 PM

tanning is good for acne and making you feel better,but not good for your skin and can cause cancer.Just don't over due it and where some sunscreen and you should be fine!!!!