Psoriasis is a prevalent skin condition that causes dry, scaly patches to develop on the skin. Sometimes, these patches may become so dry that the skin bleeds or cracks. If you have psoriasis, you may wonder what steps you need to take achieve a golden tan. Here are a few important things you need to know about tanning with psoriasis.
1. UV Tanning Can Alleviate the Symptoms of Psoriasis
Not only will tanning in a tanning bed (UV tanning) give you a natural glow, but it can also reduce the symptoms of your psoriasis.
Light therapy is one of the few treatment options that is medically proven to help treat psoriasis. Doctors believe that psoriasis is actually a mild autoimmune disease; for some reason, your body believes that healthy skin cells are foreign to the body, so it attacks them.
Exposure to UV light slows down the growth of skin cells, causing the rate at which your psoriasis patches grow to decrease. Over time, they will go away. Light therapy is especially helpful for individuals who suffer from large or widespread outbreaks.
Though certain devices allow you to concentrate the UV light only on areas with an outbreak, most individuals find that these contraptions are too expensive or time consuming to use, especially if their psoriasis is in multiple locations. By opting for a tanning bed, you can hit the entire body at one time.
If you choose to use UV tanning to treat your psoriasis, make sure that you tan in a tanning bed with UVB radiation. This is the type of UV ray that improves the appearance of psoriasis. You also need to make sure that you tan consistently and regularly, adhering to the same tanning routine each time that you go.
This means that you should ideally visit the same tanning establishment for each visit. Plan on tanning multiple times each week; talk to your dermatologist regarding the preferred length of your sessions. Make sure that you start off slow. If you accidentally burn your skin, this will worsen your psoriasis symptoms.
Light therapy is one of the few treatment options that is medically proven to help treat psoriasis. Doctors believe that psoriasis is actually a mild autoimmune disease; for some reason, your body believes that healthy skin cells are foreign to the body, so it attacks them.
Exposure to UV light slows down the growth of skin cells, causing the rate at which your psoriasis patches grow to decrease. Over time, they will go away. Light therapy is especially helpful for individuals who suffer from large or widespread outbreaks.
Though certain devices allow you to concentrate the UV light only on areas with an outbreak, most individuals find that these contraptions are too expensive or time consuming to use, especially if their psoriasis is in multiple locations. By opting for a tanning bed, you can hit the entire body at one time.
If you choose to use UV tanning to treat your psoriasis, make sure that you tan in a tanning bed with UVB radiation. This is the type of UV ray that improves the appearance of psoriasis. You also need to make sure that you tan consistently and regularly, adhering to the same tanning routine each time that you go.
This means that you should ideally visit the same tanning establishment for each visit. Plan on tanning multiple times each week; talk to your dermatologist regarding the preferred length of your sessions. Make sure that you start off slow. If you accidentally burn your skin, this will worsen your psoriasis symptoms.
2. Spray Tanning Booths Are Not Recommended for Individuals With Psoriasis
If you suffer from psoriasis, avoid the use of spray tanning booths. Some individuals find that tanning products irritate their psoriasis patches and increase the itching and burning associated with an outbreak.
Another reason to stay out of the spray tanning booth is that your psoriasis will likely alter your tan. The psoriasis patches are so dry and irritated that they tend to soak up tanning product unevenly, leaving these areas discolored, patchy, or a different color than the rest of your body. This can occur even if you thoroughly exfoliate and moisturize before your appointment.
If your psoriasis is in remission and you are not in the midst of an active outbreak, it is safe to use a spray tanning booth.
Another reason to stay out of the spray tanning booth is that your psoriasis will likely alter your tan. The psoriasis patches are so dry and irritated that they tend to soak up tanning product unevenly, leaving these areas discolored, patchy, or a different color than the rest of your body. This can occur even if you thoroughly exfoliate and moisturize before your appointment.
If your psoriasis is in remission and you are not in the midst of an active outbreak, it is safe to use a spray tanning booth.
3. Airbrush Tans Give You Color Immediately
An airbrush tan is similar to a tan from a spray tanning booth, but there is one important difference: a trained technician uses a compressor and an airbrush to manually apply the tanning solution to your skin. This method makes it possible for the technician to truly customize where they apply your color.
If desired, you can simply have the technician steer clear of areas with psoriasis. You may worry that this will yield an uneven tan. Remember, your psoriasis patches are unlikely to tan even if you are out in the sun. The final result will look similar to a UV tan.
Another alternative is to tan certain portions of your body. For example, if your back and stomach never see the light of day, you can have the technician tan only these areas.
Ready to achieve a subtle glow? Contact Golden State Tanning Studio today to learn more about our tanning services.
If desired, you can simply have the technician steer clear of areas with psoriasis. You may worry that this will yield an uneven tan. Remember, your psoriasis patches are unlikely to tan even if you are out in the sun. The final result will look similar to a UV tan.
Another alternative is to tan certain portions of your body. For example, if your back and stomach never see the light of day, you can have the technician tan only these areas.
Ready to achieve a subtle glow? Contact Golden State Tanning Studio today to learn more about our tanning services.
