Myth Or Fact: Tanning Clears Up Acne
April 27, 2010.
It seems since time out of mind, fair skinned people have sought to bronze their bods and, until most recently, lying in the sun “getting a tan” was a favorite summertime relaxation. Additionally, vacationers from pre-teens through adults sought to have that bronze-like glow about them when returning home greeting family and friends.
Being tan, “getting some sun,” translated, supposedly, into looking fit. A tanned person also exuded the image of an active, outdoorsy and healthy fit individual.
Some people, especially many teenagers, believed tanning helped fight the ravaging curses of that pubescent arch enemy known as acne. People suffering from acne believed a trip to the beach with a day’s exposure to the sun could help clear up their skin. Getting a tan seemed to work as a skin treatment for acne.
Not true.
Like painting over a stain on a bedroom wall, tanning acts merely as a “cover” temporarily tricking one into believing it is sure fire cure for skin acne. Yes, tanning does transform the reddish acne appearance into a brown-like veneer and can temporarily dry up surface skin area, thus appearing as if it can help reduce facial and other skin blemishes.
Fact is tanning causes skin oil to rise to the surface. Exposure to heat and humidity can make one’s skin oilier which can cause greater acne breakouts. Additionally, any person who is undergoing daily acne treatment may be using products that deny the body’s skin its natural ultra violet (UV) ray protection. All people possess certain levels of sensitivity to different light rays, including natural sun-produced as well as artificially produced in a commercial tanning bed. Therefore, people suffering from acne using either doctor-prescribed or over-the-counter products containing benzyl peroxide are always advised to avoid skin exposure to the sun, or to a tanning bed.
Experts state that acne sufferers are super-sensitive to light, also called photosensitivity, plus are acceptable to greater skin irritation such as severe sunburn. Research has indicated that sunburn and peeling have a stimulating effect leading to increased acne appearance. Exposure to the sun does lead to skin toughening and wrinkling since tanning breaks down naturally occurring collagen, an important skin oil that wards off wrinkles promoting skin elasticity.
