How does a solarium destroy acne and can it appear after tanning?

What effect does the sun have on the skin?

Both natural and artificial ultraviolet light has the following positive properties:

  • Antibacterial action. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, pathogenic viruses and bacteria die on the skin. It is possible to stop the inflammatory process and accelerate the healing of microwounds.
  • Anti-inflammatory effect. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, inflammatory processes are stopped faster.
  • Drying effect. The sun's rays dry out skin cells, normalize the production of subcutaneous sebum, which leads to rapid healing of acne.
  • In addition, tanning helps hide minor skin imperfections such as acne, blemishes and scars.

The maximum benefit for the body can only be obtained from low-intensity ultraviolet exposure. Otherwise, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can, on the contrary, aggravate skin diseases and lead to the appearance of malignant neoplasms.

How does ultraviolet radiation affect the dermis?

Whether a solarium will help get rid of acne depends on how often you visit it. The benefit of the procedure is likely only with short-term exposure to the skin.

A small dose of ultraviolet radiation has the following effects on the dermis:

Does tanning help get rid of acne?
A small dose of ultraviolet light has a positive effect on the skin

  • antiseptic;
  • anti-inflammatory;
  • drying.

Solarium against acne is useful due to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation on bacteria. In addition, it is able to relieve some inflammations and dry them out.

Artificial light in small doses is also able to regulate the functioning of the sebaceous glands, which also has a beneficial effect on the condition of the epidermis. These properties determine the fact that to some extent, a solarium can help against acne.

What is a solarium

A solarium is a special capsule equipped with ultraviolet lamps, which in their effect are almost identical to the sun. Moderate exposure to artificial ultraviolet rays on the skin leads to a beautiful tan, activation of metabolic processes in the body, and the synthesis of important microelements and hormones. The main feature of a solarium is that you can adjust the intensity of ultraviolet lamps to get maximum benefits for the body.

Also interesting: Epilation and solarium, is it possible to sunbathe before and after hair removal, possible consequences

Pros and cons

Many people wonder: does solarium really help with acne? Indeed, in addition to the positive effects of ultraviolet radiation, there are also known cases of harmful effects on the body.

First of all, cosmetologists emphasize that UV rays should be in moderation, and the solarium itself cannot “alone” rid you of problem skin.


Such a place can help only as an addition to a certain acne treatment method.

The advantages of a solarium include:

You can also read: How to get rid of acne forever

  • an even and beautiful skin tone that masks existing imperfections;
  • Vitamin D is produced, which strengthens bones and muscles;
  • correct dosing of UV rays dries out pimples and reduces their number;
  • The skin is disinfected and the effect of pathogenic organisms and bacteria is weakened.

But there are also significant disadvantages that you should pay attention to:

  • due to the destruction of collagen fibers, the skin ages faster;
  • after tanning, the dermis becomes dry and needs intensive hydration;
  • visiting a solarium too often increases the risk of developing cancer;
  • tanning is contraindicated for people with very fair skin, moles and freckles on the body, as well as cardiovascular diseases, asthma and kidney failure.

Why do acne appear after tanning?

If you do not follow the basic rules for visiting a solarium, you can get adverse reactions on the skin in the form of acne. This happens very often, because after ultraviolet exposure the skin is depleted and dry and requires careful care. Due to improper care and cleaning, subcutaneous sebum clogs the pores, which leads to an inflammatory process in the form of acne. This can also happen due to an increase in the time spent in the solarium capsule.

To avoid adverse reactions, it is recommended to moisturize and restore the skin after ultraviolet exposure daily to maintain water balance and normal levels of subcutaneous sebum production.

Is it possible to go to a solarium with acne?

It all depends on your skin type and acne characteristics. Only a dermatologist can give an exact answer to this question.

However, there are general contraindications to visiting a solarium:

  • The presence of neoplasms of unknown origin on the skin.
  • When there were cases of malignant skin tumors in the family.
  • The presence of a large number of moles and age spots on the skin.
  • Large purulent rashes on the skin.
  • Serious diseases of internal organs, for example, bronchial asthma, heart failure, tuberculosis, diabetes.
  • Increased dryness of the skin.
  • Skin conditions such as eczema or open wounds.
  • Light skin prone to burns.
  • Period of menstruation and pregnancy.
  • Hormonal disorders in the body, for example, due to taking medications.

Is solarium good for acne?

Does tanning help with acne?

Moderate ultraviolet exposure brings the following benefits:

  • Skin cells quickly lose moisture, so pimples dry out.
  • The inflammatory process is relieved, which leads to rapid healing of acne.
  • The production of subcutaneous sebum is normalized.
  • Pathogenic bacteria are destroyed.
  • Tanning hides acne spots.

So, under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the inflammatory process stops, the skin dries out, the production of subcutaneous sebum is normalized, and acne healing is accelerated.

It’s also interesting: Is the tan washed off in the shower? Is it possible to visit the pool or sauna after a solarium?

It is contraindicated to visit the solarium

  • Children under 18 years old
  • Presence of oncological diseases, tumors
  • Diseases of the cardiovascular, urinary and nervous systems, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma
  • Skin diseases, presence of purulent wounds
  • A large number of moles on the body. If there are more than 50 moles on your body, then doctors advise you to forget about the solarium and even tanning under natural sunlight
  • Menstruation period
  • Taking hormonal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial drugs

Safety rules when visiting a solarium

Basic rules for safe visiting a solarium:

  • In order to identify possible contraindications, it is recommended to visit a dermatologist. It is he who will be able to answer the question of whether acne can be treated with a solarium.
  • When visiting a solarium, you should stop taking medications that may increase skin sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.
  • The body should not have any hormonal disorders that may occur during pregnancy or menstruation.
  • People with sensitive skin can stay in a solarium capsule for no more than 5 minutes.
  • You cannot perform a facial peeling procedure immediately before a solarium. You can cleanse your skin only three days before the procedure so that it has time to recover and prepare for ultraviolet exposure.
  • In order to wash off all decorative cosmetics and cleanse the skin of subcutaneous fat, it is recommended to take a light shower 2 hours before tanning.
  • A few minutes before the procedure, apply high-quality sunscreen intended for solariums to dry skin.
  • All vulnerable areas, including hair, eyes and moles, must be covered with special covers.
  • The duration of the first procedure should not exceed 3 minutes. If there are no side effects, the second time you can increase your time in the solarium.
  • After solarium, we apply a nourishing and moisturizing cream to the skin to maintain the water balance of the cells.
  • Two procedures per week with an interval of two days are enough.

How to use it correctly to treat acne?

A solarium against acne is visited in compliance with the following rules:

  • The skin must first be cleansed of cosmetics and sebum.
  • It is recommended to take a shower before the procedure.
  • During the procedure, eyes, mammary glands and hair must be closed.
  • If there are tattoos on the body, then they should be covered, since when exposed to ultraviolet light, some ink tends not only to lose its original appearance, but also to give an allergic reaction.
  • Before going to the solarium, you should not use a scrub for acne, as small scratches when exposed to sunlight can itch and burn.

Many are confident that the more often such procedures are performed, the better.

How to get rid of acne correctly

In order to get rid of acne using a solarium, you should follow simple rules:

  • Within a few days, you need to cleanse the skin of the dead layer of cells. For the best effect, the skin should be steamed in a hot bath and use store-bought or homemade scrubs.
  • We wash off all decorative cosmetics before the procedure.
  • After solarium, when the acne has dried out, you can repeat the peeling procedure to even out the tone.
  • Apply acne treatment to clean skin.

It’s also interesting: What diseases should you not visit a solarium for? Rules for healthy tanning

Does a solarium help with acne on the back and face?

A solarium is an almost complete substitute for the sun. In the autumn-winter period, it relieves the blues and stress, strengthens the immune system, gives the skin a healthy color and radiance. But tanning beds are also believed to be beneficial for acne.

However, rashes make the skin sensitive to any external factors. Ultraviolet radiation is no exception. Therefore, the procedure should be carried out carefully and in compliance with all nuances.

Solarium cannot harm the skin if used wisely:

  • There are no dangerous rays in it, and sunbathing in the cabin is safer than in the open sun.
  • There is a general strengthening of the body.
  • You can stop the course at any time.

Solarium really helps with acne on the face. Ultraviolet rays have bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties. Under their influence, an environment is formed on the surface of the skin in which pathogenic microorganisms cannot multiply. Therefore, inflammatory processes are reduced.

Solarium helps against acne by improving mood, relieving stress and helping to improve hormonal balance. Therefore, acne is reduced if the cause of its appearance was metabolic disorders and nervous conditions.

Expert opinion

Irina Kovaleva

Cosmetology expert

In addition, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, vitamin D is produced and the immune system is strengthened, which promotes the healing and resolution of existing acne. Again, inflammatory processes are reduced.

The solarium dries out the upper layer of the dermis. This normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, less sebum is produced, and therefore the pores are not so clogged and inflamed. Therefore, in some cases, a solarium will help get rid of acne. However, to get a good result, you should still follow some nuances:

  • It is better to go to the solarium with clean skin, so a few weeks before the course you should undergo cleansing procedures from a cosmetologist. The pores will breathe better and the flow of oxygen will improve. Tanning will not cause additional stress to the skin.
  • Before tanning, you should not use creams, decorative cosmetics, only special care and protective products. For problem skin, it is better to give preference to products without bronzers, tingles, enhancers, but simply with a moisturizing effect. Too damaged dermis will only be more stressed and the number of acne will increase.
  • After the session, it is necessary to use moisturizing and soothing products. The skin will not try harder to protect itself, produce more sebum, become rougher and clog pores.


After the session, it is necessary to use moisturizing and soothing products.
But do not think that a solarium is a panacea for acne on the back and face. The fact is that most often acne is a consequence of problems within the body. Rashes occur due to hormonal imbalances, disturbances in the functioning of the intestines, thyroid gland, reproductive organs, and infections. Therefore, a solarium will be fully effective only in the case of complex therapy, including hardware procedures, care products and the necessary treatment.

We recommend reading the article about sun protection for the body. From it you will learn about the best sun protection products for the body and mistakes when applying sun protection products. And here is more information about the La Roche Posay sunscreen.

Solarium - a safe replacement for natural tanning

Proponents of a healthy lifestyle have proclaimed the sun, air and water to be their best friends. In addition, the famous Frenchwoman Coco Chanel introduced the fashion for tanning in Europe about 100 years ago. In recent decades, a beautiful chocolate body color and bronze complexion have become signs of success in life and good material well-being.

To get a fashionable tan, millions of people flock to southern resorts, visit salons or buy home solariums. Many people hope for the cosmetic effect of ultraviolet radiation: evening out the color of the skin, healing acne. If you read reviews about solariums for acne, you get the impression that not everything is so simple. Some notice an improvement in the condition of the skin, others write about the harmful effects of UV rays. Everyone is right: pimples do dry out and become less noticeable when tanned, but the effect is temporary.

Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, melanin is synthesized in the skin; the more of it, the darker the shade. UV rays stimulate the proliferation of melanocytes, which then migrate to the outer layers of the skin. With low lamp power, for example in a home tanning salon, it will take longer to tan. Professional solariums are more powerful; in addition, specialists select a combination of lamps to achieve a certain effect.

A significant difference between a solarium and natural sunlight is the use of only the safe part of the entire wave spectrum. Irradiation is strictly dosed, which means it does not harm the skin.

The cause of the rash is solarium: is this possible?

Intense ultraviolet irradiation, instead of reducing acne, sometimes causes the opposite effect. There are more pimples and they are clearly visible to the naked eye.

Why is this happening?

When exposed to UV lamps on the skin, the cells of the superficial layers of the skin gradually die, and the dermis itself becomes coarser. Particles of dead skin cells, gradually mixing with sebum and dirt, clog pores and cause inflammation. This is why new acne forms.

Regular exfoliation and pore cleansing will help avoid this.

In combination with proper nutrition, which helps normalize metabolism from the inside, and proper skin care, visiting a solarium or sunbathing will only benefit the skin.

We wish you a beautiful and safe tan, dear readers! See you again! Recommend our articles on social networks and don’t forget to subscribe to updates!

For the treatment of pimples, acne, acne, blackheads and other skin diseases caused by adolescence, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, hereditary factors, stress conditions and other reasons, many of our readers successfully use Elena Malsheva’s Method

. After reviewing and carefully studying this method, we decided to offer it to you.

Find out more...

Hello! My name is Tatyana, I'm 22 years old. I have always loved trying something new and unusual. When acne appeared on my face, and this happened about a year and a half ago, I found a way to treat the rash, unexpected even for myself.

I bought ointments and took pills, brewed various herbal infusions like a sorceress and made clay masks. Previously, I had never wondered whether a solarium helps with acne on the face, but one incident in my life helped me find such an amazing treatment.

My friend had a birthday in January. A luxurious celebration, an expensive restaurant and a large number of guests were planned. The theme of the holiday was Hawaiian Party. I, as a free girl, expected to meet my soul mate at the holiday.

So I decided to match the theme one hundred percent and signed up for a solarium. Everyone knows that it is a sunbathing area. Hawaiians are tanned people. I planned to hide the pimples under a layer of makeup. I understood perfectly well that a solarium is not the best option for the skin, but I had no other choice.

I received the invitation two weeks before the celebration, so I had enough time for four procedures. I went twice a week, after which my skin became dark, as if I had really vacationed in Hawaii. But that is not all! My face not only tanned, but also cleared up and my acne disappeared.

How does fake tan affect your skin?

The tanning machine has many light bulbs that emit ultraviolet rays. By themselves, they have a weak antibacterial effect. Indeed, after visiting a solarium, as well as after being in the sun, wounds on the body, redness and pimples decrease in size and even disappear. After all, it is pathogenic bacteria that cause inflammation, and when exposed to light they die. As for the spots left after acne, they become less noticeable, and the scars are often smoothed out.

But what can be said about the body in general? Going to a solarium frequently or staying in a tanning salon for a long time is the same as overexposure to the sun.

It is known that 20 minutes of artificial tanning in a solarium has the same effect as about 4 hours of exposure to the open sun. Although the UV-A rays used in this practice do not cause visible burns to the body (as do UV-B rays), they can lead to skin cancer.

It is paradoxical that those who diligently protect their skin with special creams in the summer neglect their safety in the winter.

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