My Skin Is Worse! Have you experienced this?

[Mekyle7]

My face was fairly clear before I started tanning (almost two weeks ago - Ive been about five times now) and I figured tanning would help the couple occasional pimples. Why is it worrrse?

Its the only thing Ive changed - same soap, same toner, same moisturizer (and I put plenty moisturizer on before and after) but now the pimples seem more.. aggressive. They used to be superficial little dots - now theyre cystic and they hurt and are .. big.

Has this happened to anyone else? How long till it stoppps hahah

Thank you :)

[ashleynicole2248]

It might be the excess moisturizer that your using thats making your skin produce more oil causing more bumps. Also make sure that you don't put tanning lotion that's specifically designed for your body on your face... I really don't even use a facial tanning lotion because they make me break out and I normally don't even HAVE breakouts!

I hope everything clears up for you though and try laying in a tanning bed with facial lamps that will help too

[BrownJen]

The effect tanning can have on acne tends to vary with the individual. For some it improves, for others it may improve temporarily and then lead to more break outs, and for others it may worsen.

UV exposure can sort of over stimulate the sebaceous glands (which secrete sebum) and produce excess sebum (oil) in the pores. As one tans, the skin becomes thicker due to UVB exposure, which can lead to a build up of dead dry skin clogging pores and trapping the sebum making the acne worse.

[sarach322]

I never put tanning lotion on my face when I tan in a bed. But when I lay out during the summer, I always get an SPF that is oil free and when I come home I wash my face. Also my dermatologist gave me a great lotion for the face that has antibiotic in it. It really clears up the face. I can't think of the name of it, but if it gets worse I would recommend seeing a dermatologist for that lotion.

[jessica.lanelle]

I always notice than when I am tanning my skin gets better. Wierd!

[~Lil' Miss Sunshine~]

I think it all depends on what you put on your face before tanning. Make sure to remove all your makeup so it doesn't clog your pores if you begin to sweat a little. If you are using a lotion on your face that is intended for your body that contains oils or ingredients not intended for your face, it can be a recipe for a breakout. Invest a little more money in a good facial lotion. FS Tini Faces is a good one--I plan on buying it soon! Granted, I've only used it once--I bummed some off a friend! I got good color with it from one use.
Hopefully this helps!

[SpaceCadet55]

When I had bad acne, tanning never seemed to help all that much. True, it can "dry up" pimples to a certain extent, but I always noticed increased oil production (which generally made matters worse). I think if you have really, really mild acne, tanning can be beneficial. But for a more serious case, I think it tends to complicate matters.

[Mekyle7]

When I had bad acne, tanning never seemed to help all that much. True, it can "dry up" pimples to a certain extent, but I always noticed increased oil production (which generally made matters worse). I think if you have really, really mild acne, tanning can be beneficial. But for a more serious case, I think it tends to complicate matters.

That makes sense. But. I. just. bought a three month membershippp hahah

By the way I just use regular cetaphil moisturizer on my face. Besides the few parabens, its really simple and clean

Im going to chalk it up to change of seasons..

I was on doxycycline and I was using benzoyl so.. correct me if Im wrong..but now that Ive stopped using all photo sensitizing ingredients, my face will tolerate more UV rays with the same response but the bacteria that causes the pimples will have to tolerate more UV with no change in conditions.. right?

I know Walter knows the answer to that..

[knives out]

it could also be the fluctuation between having too much moisture on your face when you tan and then having UV strip moisture as well.

If you have normal/oily skin, make sure to use a moisturizer that is oil free and avoid using too much heavy lotion on your face.

[pyretta]

I used to have HORRIBLE acne...it has only started to return since I've been pregnant, however I was once on Doxycycline. As an EMT, I should tell you that more than 90% of antibiotics should be or are labeled to avoid sunlight. Why? Not to make you a pasty vampire, but to prevent second degree sunburns. I'm a tomboy type of girl, and I've had these kinds of full thickness burns on my face, and they SUCK. So, make sure you ask your doctor if any of the medicines that you are taking (including some types of contraceptives) have this effect when you are exposed to sunlight. If it happens outdoors, it will happen while you tan in a bed.

Now, I NEVER used my body lotion on my face. I did buy one once for my face that was horrible...if only I could remember what one it was so I could recommend to avoid it. Just make sure you use one lotion for your face as it is much lighter and less prone to clog your pores. I also use my face lotion on my neck.

Give it a week trying that, and see what happens. I would also recommend that you wash your face about an hour after you tan, with a LIGHT cleanser...nothing that will strip oils, because the more you strip the oil from your skin the more your skin produces to try and protect you (I learned this in a desperate attempt to get rid of my acne, so I used only rubbing alcohol to cleanse my skin...EEK!). Good luck!

[Mekyle7]

Mm, maybe Ill try washing soon after. Ive always waited much longer than an hour to wash for fear of drying my skin out. Come to think of it, my skin is a lil oily por lo general so maybe it would be good.

But yeah, just to put in my two cents about doxycycline/antibiotics, I think you should experiment based on your personal tolerance. Personally I can start at 7 minutes in a 60 and not burn even though Im really light (all Irish, really pale, blue eyes, brown hair, few freckles). And that was a few weeks ago while taking doxy and using benzoyl. But Ive always had a hard time getting pigment. Except where pimples form. That gets nice an dark..

I think Ill start using a really gentle cleanser 3 times a day. Sorry this is starting to run on but real quick - to anyone who has used benzoyl and/or an antibiotic and experienced resistance after a certain length of time, how long did you wait to start using either the benzoyl or antibiotic again?

[CHEL]

I've never had acne problems with my face so I probably won't give the best advice, but I would like to recommend Vanishing Act by Designer Skin. It's a face lotion that is supposed to help clear your skin while you tan. Hope everything works out for you!