Affecting millions of people worldwide, acne – the common skin condition – often prompts people to explore a myriad of potential solutions. From creams and lotions, to medications and therapies, to lifestyle changes, a number of treatments have been found to improve the condition.
Among these, the use of sunbeds to help acne is gaining traction. However, before making any changes, it’s critical to separate fact from fiction. Let’s take a deeper dive into this topic.
UV rays and acne: a complex relationship
Sunbeds emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation which is divided into two types: UVA and UVB. Some evidence finds that UV rays can be beneficial for certain skin conditions like psoriasis, and can also help produce vitamin D – which is essential for our bone and muscle health.
UV rays have also shown to reduce inflammation in the skin and temporarily dry out breakouts, including cystic acne, which reduces the overall appearance of acne. For this reason, many people associate sunlight – whether from a sunbed or naturally – with improved skin and a glowing complexion.
However, these initial benefits of UV rays can be deceptive. Looking more long-term, the effect of UV rays on acne is decidedly negative.
The harmful impact of sunbeds on acne
Although using sunbeds can initially dry out the skin and reduce pimple production, this excessive drying may stimulate the skin to actually produce more oil to compensate. As the sebaceous glands in the skin develop more oil, pores are more likely to become clogged, leading to breakouts later down the line.
What’s more, dry or UV ray damaged skin can increase the number of dead skin cells, which are a leading cause of blocked pores. Additionally, prolonged and repeated exposure to UV rays can damage the skin’s structure, leaving the immune system needing to work harder and may worsen acne overall.
But the negative impact of sunbeds on the skin doesn’t stop at acne. Sunbeds can also:
- Increase the risk of skin cancer: regular exposure to UV rays can damage the DNA in skin cells, which may trigger abnormal cell growth. This may lead to various skin cancers.
- Promote premature ageing: sunbeds can boost the number of noticeable fine lines and wrinkles by damaging the elastin and collagen in your skin. This can make the skin appear more aged.
- Increase further skin problems: too much time in the sun or using sunbeds can cause further problems such as sun damage or sun spots, melasma, or hyperpigmentation.
The long-term effects of sunbedding make them an unsuitable candidate for any kind of acne treatment. But there are lots of other solutions, and it’s useful to work with a professional dermatologist to find the right treatment for you.
Do sunbeds help acne scars?
So sunbeds may not help acne, but what about acne scars? Well, unfortunately it’s the same story, and sunbeds can even make scars much worse. The UV rays can damage essential collagen and elastin fibres in the skin, making it difficult for the skin to heal and scar effectively. This can also make acne scars appear darker and more noticeable.
If you’re looking for a way to improve your acne scars that doesn’t involve sunbeds, we are here to help. From laser treatment, to derma roller, to facial peels, to soft tissue augmentation, we offer a range of non-invasive solutions, proven to be effective for improving acne scar appearance. Request an acne scarring consultation with the consultants at our state-of-the-art clinic to find out more today.
