Oct 03, 2024 07:00:00

Does the TikTok-popular life hack 'getting a tan to cure acne' actually work?

Among teenage TikTok users who are prone to acne, there is

a rumor going around that getting a tan can help treat acne. Skin expert Carl Lawrence explains whether getting a tan really can help treat acne.

TikTok 'sunburning' hack won't heal your acne – but it may put you at risk of skin cancer
https://theconversation.com/tiktok-sunburning-hack-wont-heal-your-acne-but-it-may-put-you-at-risk-of-skin-cancer-239007

Bottom line, there's little evidence that tanning helps treat acne.

According to Lawrence, the technique of 'irradiating ultraviolet light' is indeed used as one of the methods to treat skin diseases. However, this is mainly used to treat psoriasis and eczema and has nothing to do with acne. In addition, it is often used as an alternative when other treatments do not work, and it is usually performed after controlling the ultraviolet light to minimize the harmful effects.

When it comes to acne itself, there is little evidence to show that UV rays are effective, and even if there is any evidence, it has many limitations.

A 2023 study of 19,939 participants found that chronic exposure to relatively low levels of UVB radiation (about an hour per day) was associated with a lower risk of moderate to severe acne in young adults. However, the study did not measure the exact amount of UV radiation participants were exposed to, nor did it take into account the adverse effects of exposure.

A 2009

study in human skin cells also showed that UVB has some potential benefits, such as killing Propionibacterium acnes, a bacteria thought to cause acne. However, these effects were only seen in cells and have not been replicated in human studies, and most of these studies concluded that 'any beneficial effects are probably small and insufficient for therapeutic use.'

A study that reviewed all studies on sunburn and acne conducted between 1992 and 2022 concluded that exposure to UV rays is unlikely to improve acne symptoms and may even worsen acne in some cases. The reason for this is that exposure to UVB may activate immune cells, which may worsen acne-induced inflammation and increase the secretion of sebum, which is known to cause acne.

In addition, not only is there no evidence that tanning helps treat acne, but there are also many reported negative aspects, including a significantly increased risk of skin cancer.

One theory is that even a single blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can double a person's chances of developing skin cancer later in life, and it's also believed that the risk of developing skin cancer increases with each sunburn, because exposure to ultraviolet light significantly damages the DNA of skin cells.

Exposure to UV rays increases the risk of skin cancer and can also cause sagging and wrinkling because UV rays damage collagen and elastin in the skin.

Based on the above, Lawrence said, 'Currently, the most effective acne treatments are over-the-counter or prescribed medications. Sunburn has little effect on acne treatment, and people taking acne medications should be especially careful about sunburn. The isotretinoin and tetracycline antibiotics contained in acne medications can cause photosensitivity reactions and further damage to the skin. When going out on sunny days, wear sunscreen. Not only does it protect the skin and reduce the risk of skin cancer, it also reduces inflammation of skin cells and reduces photosensitivity reactions. '