Can indoor tanning be used to treat acne?
Phototherapy is a commonly-used therapy in the treatment of skin disorders. Acne is often caused by oily skin, and tanning can help dry the skin. This may help reduce the frequency of outbreaks in chronic acne conditions and may even reduce outbreaks if the condition is mild. Some drugs used in the treatment of acne, such as tetracycline and Retin-A, can cause photosensitivity. Limit or avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning lamps if you are taking these drugs. Ultraviolet light treatments should be administered only by a qualified physician. Tanning salons may not assert benefits of tanning for purposes other than cosmetic coloring, due to FDA regulations.
