Do Tanning Beds Help Psoriasis

Does Scratching Psoriasis Make It Spread

Psoriasis: Tanning and Exercise

A psoriasis flare may begin as a small patch that spreads, then gradually gets better. Most flare-ups are triggered by something. Scratching a psoriasis rash does not cause it to spread from one location to another. However, it may slow the healing process, creating the appearance that psoriasis is spreading.

Tips To Reduce Your Risk

I was lucky enough to find a couple foundations that would help cover the cost of treatments so I could stop tanning, but I realize that isnt an option for everyone. What I would suggest is to always use your best judgment and think long-term.

Its really easy to get caught up in trying to find something that works for us quick, because this disease is so uncomfortable and burdensome! But trading out one horrible health problem for another isnt a good solution.

If you dont feel you have any other options, take some steps to protect yourself. This may include:

Protect unaffected skinâ use clothing or sunscreen to protect areas that do not have psoriasis.
Wear gogglesâprotect your peepers by always wearing black-out tanning googles. You may look funny, but your eyes will thank you.
Know your skinâtake note of each mole or mark on your body and monitor them. If you notice any new or changing spots, see a dermatologist right away.

You May Like: How Are Eczema And Psoriasis Difference

Psoriasis Patients Flock To Salons

Almost 19 out of 20 tanning facility owners 93 percent say that their salons have clients who tan primarily as an informal treatment for psoriasis, according to a SmartTan.com poll conducted in late February.

That finding supports several other Smart Tan surveys showing that many who follow indoor tannings cosmetic protocol are informally and inexpensively treating their psoriasis as a side-effect of their cosmetic tan.

A 2010 Smart Tan survey of 6,881 indoor tanning clients revealed that 11 percent of tanning clients say a doctor referred them to a tanning salon for therapeutic reasons and that 28 percent of those referring physicians were dermatologists. The survey shows that the recent press release from the American Academy of Dermatology in which the organization contended that 100 percent of dermatologists discourage tanning is baseless.
In a 2009 SmartTan.com poll 67 percent of salons reported having dermatologists in their communities who are in favor of moderate UV exposure as long as tanners avoid sunburn.

Based on the 2010 consumer survey, dermatologists refer an estimated 900,000 people to sunbeds in the United States every year. Two of my doctors told me I needed to tan: my dermatologist for my skin psoriasis, and my regular doctor for depression from not getting enough sun lightTanning did help a lot, said Robert Van Dine, a patron at Midnight Sun & Cruise in Holland, Mich., a Smart Tan member facility.

Do Sunbeds Help Psoriasis

Sunbeds are machines that imitate a suns ultraviolet rays, to produce an artificial tan. They are used all around the world, have ultra violet bulbs and provide faster melanin production than sun bathing. Are sunbeds of any help when it comes to treating psoriasis, is the big question. And the answer is yes. Sunbeds can indeed help you with psoriasis affected skin, and is often prescribed by doctors. Usually when topical treatments do not work for psoriasis anymore, doctors prescribe sunbeds. Exposure to UV can help with smoothing out and reducing inflamed skin patches. It can reduce the itching as well.

How Does Tanning Help Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that results from an auto-immune disease in which too many skin cells are produced in the system. These extra cells accumulate on the skin surface, causing red welts that appear as raised, thick, silvery scales on different parts of the body. These welts are itchy and painful as well. A number of topical applications and oral medicines are prescribed to relieve the condition. However, one effective natural form of treatment is light therapy. Although there are different forms of light therapies available for psoriasis treatment, including PUVA, laser and UVB, many patients use tanning from sun or tanning bed as an effective treatment for psoriasis as well. Read this oneHOWTO article to find out in detail how does tanning help psoriasis.

Risks associated with tanning beds for psoriasis

You May Like: What Can I Use For Scalp Psoriasis

Can You Treat Psoriasis With Sunbeds

For anyone who has suffered with Psoriasis, it can be a long and frustrating process and one which can affect every part of a sufferers life.

Many dermatologists recommend phototherapy as part of treatment for psoriasis as the exposure to ultraviolet B light can slow the growth of skin cells and clear large areas of psoriasis for up to one year.

The UVB light can be delivered by natural sunshine but many patients look for an alternative source either due to embarrassment of sunbathing in public or because of the unpredictable availability of sunlight in the U.K.

Other options are specialist laser which are costly and not every dermatology clinic has high-powered lasers. So, many people cant access clinical phototherapy because of cost, distance, or other inconvenience issues.

This has meant that although not an entirely perfect substitute for clinical lasers, sunbeds can be a low cost and effective treatment and in some cases a better alternative than long term use of medication. Psoralens should not be used with tanning beds as it may result in severe sunburn. Always consult your Doctor first.

It is important to note that The National Psoriasis Foundation does not recommend the use of indoor tanning beds as a substitute for phototherapy carried out with a prescription and under the supervision of a dermatologist.

Here are some tips for using our beds safely and effectively:

Courtesy of Bodilight Tanning Spa

Question: Do Tanning Beds Help Eczema

Does tanning help lose weight?

To our knowledge, no studies have been done investigating the use of tanning beds in atopic dermatitis, however, the range of UV light sources demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis suggests that the use of tanning beds as a treatment for atopic dermatitis may be efficacious.

Read Also: What Causes Psoriasis To Get Worse

Is Salt Water Bad For Eczema

But the response of eczema sufferers to saltwater is variable: some find it soothing, others uncomfortable. There is some evidence to support the idea magnesium absorption is beneficial for the skin of eczema sufferers presumably because it makes it less dry as those using Epsom salt baths will attest.

Risks Of Using Tanning Beds For Psoriasis

Tanning Bed Regulations | San Diego Dermatology | Dr. Groff

Although commercial tanning may help some people with psoriasis, the bottom line is that the ultraviolet radiation from indoor tanning beds is proven to cause skin cancer. Given the high risk of commercial tanning, in 2009, the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer increased the classification of UV-emitting indoor tanning devices to the highest level of cancer risk: group 1, or carcinogenic to humans, which moved indoor tanning devices up to the same risk category as tobacco and asbestos.

Indoor tanning use can cause several types of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Societys Cancer Action Network, using indoor tanning devices before age 35 increases a persons melanoma risk by 59 percent, squamous cell carcinoma risk by 67 percent, and basal cell carcinoma risk by 29 percent. In many cases, skin cancers develop years after tanning bed use. Discuss the risks and benefits of sunlight for psoriasis with your dermatologist.

Uva And Uvb For Psoriasis

So how does tanning help psoriasis when you are prescribed phototherapy by your doctor?Tanning uses synthetic or natural sunlight to treat and relieve psoriasis. Your skin absorbs ultraviolet rays as you get the tan outside or in a tanning bed. The Sun has ultraviolet rays made up of UVB and UVA rays. UVB rays can effectively treat the symptoms of psoriasis, as they work by slowing down the rapid growth and shedding rate of your skin. But some doctors choose UVA instead of UVB, as UVA are shorter and penetrate into the skin deeply. This kind of tanning treatment can be effective in treating moderate psoriasis condition. If tanning with UVA alone is not successful in treating it, then PUVA therapy remains the best option.

How Long Can I Expose My Skin To The Sun Before Burning

This depends on many factors, including:

The strength of the sunThis can be assessed by the UV index, announced in summertime weather reports. The UV index is a number representing the strength of the sun, and ranges from 1 to 11+. 1-2 represents low UV, 3-5 moderate UV, 6-7 high UV, 8-10 very high UV and 11+ extreme UV. In the UK the UV index rarely goes above 6 or 7.

Other factors also need to be taken into consideration. For the UK some very approximate guidance can be given on how long individuals can tolerate the sun before burning. Assuming moderate sun strength , and for previously unexposed and currently unprotected skin, then exposure times possible before onset of sunburn are approximately: phototype I, 5-10 minutes phototype II, 10-20 minutes phototype III, 20-30 minutes phototype IV, 40 minutes .

Your sun sensitivityThis is assessed by the Fitzpatrick phototyping scale, which describes how the skin reacts to sun exposure. It was developed in 1975 by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, the American dermatologist, as a way to classify the typical response of different types of skin to sunlight. The Fitzpatrick scale remains a recognised tool for dermatological research into human skin pigmentation.

What increases the chances of burning?This also depends on many factors, including:

Which areas of skin are exposed

Scalp, neck, face , upper back and shoulders are more sensitive to the sun than the lower legs.

How much exposure you have already had

For example, a sunscreen.

Difference Between Types Of Uv Phototherapy

UVA treatment: It is effective with chronic cases of psoriasis, as it penetrates the skin more deeply than any other type of phototherapy. It is also useful in cases of dermatitis and other skin conditions. However, this treatment may reactivate herpes simplex if the patient has had this disease in the past and can cause agining and an increased risk of cancer development.

PUVA treatment: According to a study published in 2004 on Europe PMC, PUVA phototherapy is the most effective when treating psoriasis. PUVA baths administered by medical professionals and have no gastrointestinal side effects and is considered to achieve faster results. Water baths hyperthermia combined with phototherapy can reduce pruitus and swelling of the patient, which is why it’s the most recommended treatment. The treatment offers visible results after the third and fourth treatment

UVB treatment: In this case, for effective remission, narrow-band UVB therapy is recommended rather than broad-band for psoriasis. This treatment will effectively deplete T cells from psoriatic lesions. however, several studies have shown that it can in fact cause inflammation and irritation of the skin. However, certain spectrums of UVB machines can have therapeutic benefits on a small scale.

Prescribing Tanning Beds To Psoriasis Patients

Dermatology Online Journal

Youâve saved your first item

You can find your saved items on your dashboard, in the âsavedâ tab.

Youâve recommended your first item

Your recommendations help us improve our content suggestions for you and other PracticeUpdate members.

Youâve subscribed to your first topic alert

What does that mean?

Each day, weâll check to see if new items have been published to the topics youâre subscribed to, and weâll send you one email with all of the new items from that day.

Weâll keep all topic alert notifications available on your dashboard for 30 days, to make sure you donât miss anything.

Lastly, whenever you have unread items in the topics youâve subscribed to, the âAlertsâ icon will light up in the main menu. Just click on the bell to see your five most-recent, unread notifications.

Also Check: Does Shaving Your Head Help Scalp Psoriasis

#1 10-28-2007 06:25 PM by gidget867do tanning beds help psoriasis
#2 11-04-2007 06:10 PM by leighanne333Re: do tanning beds help psoriasisplease stay out of the tanning beds, I got malignant skin cancer from them. I also have psorasis and you would be better off getting some real sun in small doses to help that.
#3 11-05-2007 10:02 AM by dreamingdenaliRe: do tanning beds help psoriasisI would really not go with phototherapy for psoriasis.Ask your doctor for a prescription for Taclonex. That’s been the only thing that has worked for me thus far, it’s brand new, just came out. I’ve had psoriasis for 10 years now, and it really has helped a lot.
#4 11-09-2007 02:17 PM by emerald52Re: do tanning beds help psoriasisno cure for psoriasis, its hereditary
#5 11-09-2007 07:03 PM by naklangRe: do tanning beds help psoriasisQuote:Originally Posted by leighanne333please stay out of the tanning beds, I got malignant skin cancer from them. I also have psorasis and you would be better off getting some real sun in small doses to help that.Wow, sorry to hear that. How much time per week were you going?

What Is Ultraviolet Light

The energy in sunlight ranges in wavelength from about 2500nm down to 280nm. Visible light lies between about 400nm in the violet to 700nm in the deep red. Beyond 700nm is infrared, which is felt as heat. Infrared is strongly absorbed by water, so when clouds pass in front of the sun we immediately feel the reduction in warmth. Wavelengths shorter than 400nm are ultraviolet: our atmosphere protects us from wavelengths shorter than 280nm, so we are exposed to ultraviolet wavelengths from 280- 400nm. This region of sunlight is arbitrarily split into long-wave ultraviolet A from 315nm 400nm, and short-wave ultraviolet B from 280-315nm.

On its own, UVA is not effective in improving psoriasis, which is why psoralen is used to sensitise the skin before exposure to UVA. However, UVB is very effective at improving psoriasis, providing that the plaques are not too thick or reflective. So, sunlight can help psoriasis by virtue of the UVB wavelengths it contains. The UVB wavelengths in sunlight are also very effective at causing the production of vitamin D in the skin. Vitamin D is essential for bone and skin health. For more information about the use of artificial sunlight see Psoriasis and Phototherapy.

Read Also: Does Smoking Make Psoriasis Worse

Q: How Much Does Light Therapy For Psoriasis Cost

A: Cost is a major factor that will impact the therapy option patients will undergo to treat psoriasis. Topical psoriasis medications might cost $500+ per tube and biologic treatments can cost nearly $20,000 a year. Purchasing a home phototherapy unit may be a beneficial investment, saving patients hundreds in gas and travel time and office co-pays.

What Are The Tanning Risks

Do Tanning Beds Cause Skin Cancer? #Shorts

This thinned my plaques out enough that I wasnt unintentionally sprinkling customers food with parmesan cheese, but it still never made my red spots completely go away. I did this for about 5-6 months.

At that point, a family member found out what I had been doing and bluntly told me I was, well, not very wise for tanning. My grandfather had died of melanoma. In fact, his death was one of the main triggers of my first flare up, but for some reason, I didnt think of the risk tanning was causing me.

Don’t Miss: Neem Oil For Scalp Psoriasis

What About Tanning Beds

You may wonder if indoor tanning beds can treat psoriasis. This has been a topic of discussion among the psoriasis community. However, the benefits of tanning beds arent clear. This practice is actively discouraged by many medical groups because it carries an increased risk for skin cancer.

The NPF discourages the use of indoor tanning beds for a variety of reasons. One is that tanning beds generally emit more UVA light than UVB light. UVA light without medication, such as psoralen, is relatively ineffective at treating psoriasis.

Still, some research suggests that indoor tanning beds can help psoriasis. One study concluded that indoor tanning beds may be useful in treating dermatologic conditions for people who are unable to access light therapy prescribed and managed by a doctor. The study encourages doctors to provide guidelines for this practice, as many people try it anyway.

Can Sun Make Eczema Worse

If you have severe eczema, too much sun exposure can make your condition worse. A sunburn can cause skin inflammation. Overheating can also lead to excess perspiration, resulting in an eczema flare. Taking precautions to prevent sunburn and stay cool in warm weather is especially important if you have eczema.

Read Also: Is Selsun Blue Good For Psoriasis

Tanning From Natural Sunlight

If you are tanning your skin with natural sunlight, you should take care not to get sunburn in the end. Even if you are going out to soak your skin up in the sunlight, you should still not forget to apply your sunscreen. Apply the sunscreen on all unaffected areas of your skin, and dont forget to wear sunglasses. Go out when the sun is at its peak heat. Do not stay outside for more than 10 minutes, otherwise you may end up damaging your skin with sun. Start with 10 minutes, and increase the period of 30 seconds every day, as long as your skin can comfortably tolerate it. The natural sunlight will not only help in clearing psoriasis symptoms, but will also allow you to body to produce more of vitamin D.

Making The Decision To Tan

So what does a guy with no insurance and little discretionary income do to control his out-of-control skin? Tanning beds.

I went to a place called Brown-N-Serve in my hometown. A couple times a week I would strip down in a closet-sized room that had a bowl of palm tree and playboy bunny stickers next to the giant glowing clamshell bed. I will never forget the smell of the place. If youve been to a tanning establishment, you will know exactly what I am talking about. Its kind of a combination of artificial coconut and burnt skin.

Recommended Reading: Can You Cure Psoriasis Naturally