What About A Self Tanner
Does self tanner cover acne? You have to be careful here. For one, you need to check the ingredients. A lot of ingredients can clog pores and contribute to your existing problem. Also, if there is any fragrance in the product, that is an immediate dismissal for me and I cant use the product. Fragrance is irritating to the skin and if you are sensitive to it, dont use it. You dont want to cause more acne blemishes and thus, more scarring that you have to deal with later. So, is self tanner bad for acne? It depends check the ingredients to make sure it doesnt have anything that will clog pores or contribute to acne. If it doesnt, then youre good to go.
Potential Pros Of Tanning For Acne Clearing
The Sun Can Cause Hyper
Those with acne often deal with dark marks on the skin, which are a result of hyper-pigmentation. This occurs when an excess of melanin forms deposits in the skin. The UV radiation from the sun causes melanin to build up in an overexposed area of skin. This means excess sun exposure can result in more frequent and more noticeable dark marks on the skin.
While there are laser treatments and chemical peels that can help minimize the appearance of these marks, they tend to be quite costly and can take multiple sessions before results are seen.
Looking for ways to quiet redness and hyper-pigmentation? You’ll love Zen – our plant-based ultra calming serum.
Read Also: What Is Best To Get Rid Of Acne Scars
Sun Exposure And Collagen
Excessive sun exposure can damage the collagen found within the epidermis. When our skin loses its collagen, it also loses its elasticity.
This can result in wrinkles and sagging skin, leading your skin to age at a faster rate. According to recent research, the IV rays from the sun may account for over 80 percent of skin wrinkles and age marks. UV radiation can create free radicals, unstable oxygen molecules that damage cell function and alter our genetic material. These can further break down collagen and result in even more wrinkles. Worse, free radicals can lead to the development of cancer.
Does The Sun Cause Acne

While sun exposure doesnt directly cause acne, tanning can worsen breakouts for those with acne-prone skin. Excess time in the sun can dry out your skin and increase your risk of developing melanoma and other types of cancer, so its important to wear sunscreen every time you head outdoors. There has been a lot of discussion around chemical sunscreen vs. mineral sunscreen, and the key takeaway is that mineral sunscreen is the healthier choice.
Read Also: Do Saunas Help With Acne
Myth: Acne Scars Occur Only On The Face
Reality: Acne scarring can occur anywhere. It’s often more prevalent on the face due to the fact that it’s more accessible and visible, making the temptation to pick a bit harder to resist. But acne scarring can be found on the back, shoulders, neck, chest, and scalp — virtually anywhere pimples occur.
Pro Tips To Protect Your Acne
Believe me, I understand how the frustration of acne can drive a person to desperate measures. Especially if its a problem that youve been dealing with for years!
But instead of risking unsafe sun exposure to treat your breakouts, focus on an acne-fighting skincare routine and use these tips to protect your skin from the ravages of UV radiation.
Wear sunscreen ALL THE TIME. We recommend seeking out a water-based sunscreen to avoid pore-clogging oils. Aim for an SPF of at least 30.
Dont try to absorb vitamin D from sunlight. You can get plenty through diet alone. In fact, its the BEST way to ensure your vitamin D intake! For extra help, check out our comprehensive list of 99 Clear Skin Foods for a cheat sheet of the best vitamin D-rich ingredients!
Dont DIY light therapy. If your acne is stubborn or severe, and youre desperate to try a light-based solution, dont just lay on a beach towel in your backyard. Youll soak up dangerous UV rays and probably get walked on by fire ants. Instead, schedule an actual light therapy appointment. Modern light therapy uses no UV rays and is much safer than sun exposure.
You May Like: What Does Acne Look Like
Acne Cream And Self Tanners
Can you put acne cream over self tanner? My recommendation is to put the acne cream UNDER the self tanner. You want to make sure that the acne cream is on the blemish, not over the tanner. This will help reduce your breakouts and help keep your skin clear.
Will tanning get rid of acne scars?
This is an unfortunate no again. We get scars when there is an injury to the skin . Scars can fade over time and it depends how deep the scarring is. For minimal scars, it can be helpful to exfoliate skin so that the dead skin cells are removed, thus helping to eliminate the look of skin scarring.
You could consider spray tanning. If you want to learn more about how this works and the best way to ensure a longer lasting spray tan, read this article: 6 Tips for a Deep, Dark Spray Tan.
So, I hope this helped to answer your questions about does tanning help hide acne scars
Nutt So Ruff is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission however, there is no cost to you.
Myth: When It Comes To Topical Products More Is Better
Reality: You should use only the products your dermatologist recommends. It might seem like a good idea to use several topical creams, serums, and spot treatments all at once to clear your acne once and for all. But not all acne products and skin care treatments are created equal — and some aren’t meant to interact with each other. Your skin could even be particularly sensitive to one ingredient . Therefore, it’s better to stick to the one or two products your dermatologist suggests until they’re gone after that, you can assess whether something else might work better.
Also Check: How To Clear Face Acne Fast
Does Tanning Really Clear Up Acne
by Patient Expert
Reader:The last time I tanned, my skin looked better. I also just read that UV light therapy helps acne. Doesn’t that mean that tanning will clear up your skin?
Sue: I have to admit it. I used to believe this, too. In high school, when I went to the beach with friends and came back with a tan, I also noticed that my acne seemed to be gone. I figured that tanning did something that helped clear up my skin so I never left the beach without a tan. The operative word here? Seemed.
It wasn’t until years later that I finally got factual information regarding tanning and acne. Tanning covers up redness and dries up the surface of your skin, making some blemishes fade away temporarily. But in the end, you’re really only trading one problem for a host of others.
For starters, tanning causes skin irritation, especially if you stay out a bit too long and burn yourself. This adds to redness and leads to peeling, both of which may later aggravate the appearance of acne. Tanning also breaks down collagen. Collagen is one of your prime defenses against wrinkles because it keeps your skin elastic. When skin loses collagen, not only are you more likely to see wrinkles, but your pores may appear larger as well.
Why Tanning Can Cause Acne
When it comes to breakouts after tanning, there are many things that can trigger acne development, all of which depend on an individuals personal skin type, skin care products, makeup products, and skin sensitivity levels. Overall, the main causes of post-tanning acne breakouts are clogged pores and adverse reactions to products.
Don’t Miss: Where Does Hormonal Acne Occur
Skin Problems Caused By Tanning Beds
Many people love the look of a glowing, golden tan. A lot of people go right to the tanning beds because sitting in the sun takes too long. The sun can be harmful in large doses, but UV light from tanning beds is even worse. Here are just some of the skin problems that you could potentially develop if you frequent the tanning beds.
Skin cancerCalling cancer a skin problem is, of course, an understatement. Tanning can lead to melanoma, one of the most dangerous types of skin cancers. Melanoma accounts for the most deaths due to skin cancer every year. The UV rays from a tanning bed damage the DNA in skin cells, which causes the skin to grow abnormally and develop benign or malignant growths. It can also weaken the immune system and compromise your bodys natural defenses against aggressive cancer cells. Melanoma can affect your face, ears, neck, lips, and the backs of your hands.
Premature agingOne of the most common skin problems that occur due to tanning is premature skin aging. The UV rays can cause your skin to look leathery, wrinkled, loose, and it creates dark spots. Dermatologists can develop a treatment plan for this, like chemical peels, dermabrasion, and skin fillers. Your skin will never quite look the same, however, because the aging is permanent after frequent sunburns or hours spent tanning.
Can You Cure Acne With Tanning

According to a few articles online, tanning WILL fix acne, but only for a short while. The sun will naturally dry out and fix pimples, as well as make your skin darker, which will hide any pimples on your face and make the redness less noticeable. So, good news, right? Wrong. After your acne goes away from being in the sun for a short while, your acne will come back and with a vengeance.
You May Like: What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Acne
Can You Go For A Sunbed 2 Days In A Row
In other words, never sunbathe more than once a day. As a rule of thumb: up to ten sessions in two to three weeks, unless you are using a high pressure tanning bed. If you are using a high pressure tanning bed you should reduce the number of sessions as your tan will be retained by one or two sessions per week.
What Really Helps To Treat Acne
When it comes to treating active acne breakouts, reducing the appearance of acne scars, and preventing blemishes from returning, there are medically founded, FDA-approved treatments that can make a difference. From blue light therapy to acne facials to topical treatments, Dr. Green offers the highest standard of acne care in the world of dermatology.
28 yr old female Accutane and dark acne spot treatment
Also Check: Why Does My Acne Never Go Away
Acne Treatment And Sun Sensitivity
There are many acne treatments that actually put you at risk for increased sun sensitivity. Ever heard of Accutane? This aggressive acne medication has been pulled from shelves thanks to a host of terrible side effects, but one of the most common complaints about this treatment was its propensity to make patients more sensitive to the sun, causing sunburns with just minutes of time spent outside.
Beyond oral medications like Accutane, there are topical treatments that also increase sun sensitivity. Youve likely seen or used benzoyl peroxide treatments, but this harsh ingredient can result in some nasty side effects. Youll notice these products recommend avoid excess sun exposure. This is because these types of acne medications dry up sebum, then increase the rate of cell growth and exfoliation, leaving your skin vulnerable to the suns UV rays without restoring its moisture barrier.
Are there any acne treatments without scary side effects? Definitely, but its important to always apply sunscreen before heading outside, regardless of weather or season.
Can I Be An Actress With Acne
So- yes its possible, but also it does help to actively put out the best version of yourself that you can- sometimes acne can be improved over time with research on what is causing it for you. But honestly makeup helps so much. Celebrities often appear to have flawless skin in videos and photographs.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Acne Treatment For Me
Myth: Scars Are Unpreventable And Permanent
Reality: No matter how severe your scarring, your condition is treatable — and you can reduce your risk of future scars. First, the idea that you have to wait until your acne subsides to pursue acne scar treatment simply isn’t true. It’s much better to prevent scars before they ever happen, which involves proper cleaning and moisturizing, wearing sun protection, and avoiding picking or squeezing active acne. But if scarring does occur, don’t fret. Every person will require a different acne scar treatment, as there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But you do not have to live with the embarrassment of scarring for your whole life. You will, however, need to consult with a dermatologist to determine the most effective course of treatment for your particular situation. With their help, you can reduce the appearance of acne scars and increase your self-confidence levels permanently.
Ready to find out how our acne scar treatment options can help you? Contact us today to schedule a consultation or to learn more.
Do Tanning Beds Help Clear Acne
As weve discussed, tanning beds do not help to treat acne and, whats more, both outdoor and indoor tanning can make acne breakouts worse. Spending hours in the sun or in a tanning booth typically dries out the skin, which triggers greater oil production from the sebaceous glands of the body. This in turn can lead to a larger amount of acne breakouts, rather than helping to treat blemishes. Additionally, dry skin or sunburn can lead to a larger amount of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, which is one of the primary causes for increased pimples.
You May Like: How To Remove Butt Acne
Myth: Getting A Tan Helps To Hide Acne Scars
Reality: If you’re going to the beach or the tanning salon in hopes of hiding your scars, you’ll end up regretting it. You might assume that darkening the skin around your scarring will help blend the two, but the truth is that scar tissue is much more prone to UV damage. More than likely, your scar will burn or darken as a result, making it even harder to hide . Americans of all skin types should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, but it’s even more important for those with acne scars to protect their skin from sun exposure.
How To Prevent Acne Break Outs After Tanning

Break outs are no fun, but we can usually predict when the happen. Exercise, stress, hormones, face masks, and more are all common triggers for face and body acne. For those who enjoy keeping a glowing complexion all winter long, visiting the tanning bed might have the potential to cause some breakouts as well. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to prevent this from happening.
Continue reading to learn some tips that will teach you how to prevent acne breakouts after tanning.
Read Also: What Acne Means In Different Places
Characteristics Of Indoor Tanning Light
The light used during indoor tanning is poorly defined. The US Food and Drug Administration does not specify limits on the power of UV light emissions, instead defining irradiance ratio limits, where the ratio of irradiance between wavelengths of 200 and 260 nm to the irradiance between wavelengths 260 and 320 nm should not exceed 0.003 at any distance and direction from the source . While in the US there are state and federal regulations, according to a study performed in North Carolina, the extent to which commercial tanning facilities comply is poor, with only 1 out of 32 commercial tanning establishments within complete compliance of state and federal guidelines .
The wavelengths of UVA and UVB irradiation from tanning beds are highly variable however, tanning beds as a whole tend to emit primarily UVA irradiation. Rates of UVB emissions range from 0.5% to 5.0% in North Carolina tanning beds . Another study of North Carolina tanning beds found a wide range of UVA irradiance, 17.7674.0 W/m2 and a UVB range of 0.120.82 W/m2 .
What Is Tanning Booth
A tanning booth is a device that helps improve the appearance of skin by adjusting the light waves that are used to treat wrinkles and other skin problems.
Tanning booths use a series of mirrors and special lenses to send specific wavelengths of light directly to the dermis layer of the skin. This treatment is thought to stimulate collagen production, reduce the appearance of pores, and tighten the skin.
Also Check: How To Deal With Acne
Sun Tans To Conceal Acne And Your Skin Type
Not everyone can get a natural tan by spending time in the sun. If you have very dark skin, a few hours in the sun will never give you a tan and never cause a burn. If you have very fair skin, a few hours in the sun probably will not give you tan, but you will almost certainly get a sunburn. Tanning is only possible on skin that has some brown pigmentsbut neither too little nor too much. Even you dont tan, however, you may get sun spots and freckles.
On all but the darkest skin types, the UV-A rays of sunlight cause damage to the skin that releases free radicals of oxygen.
The melanin pigment that is already in the skin turns browner as it absorbs these free radicals to protect the skin from DNA damage. The more brown pigment you already have in your skin, the more UV-A radiation will give you a tan. UV-A radiation causes an immediate change in the color of your skin, and longer-term damage of your skin.
Sunlight also produces UV-B rays. UV-B radiation causes immediate damage to the skin. These rays do not have an immediate effect on the color of the skin, but they cause the skin to manufacture new melanin. If you have darker white skin, brown skin, or Asian skin, your tan will just be a deeper a few days after you spend time in the sun. If you have very fair skin, however, your skin will have so few pigment-producing cells that the additional melanin will look like freckles or spots on your skin.