Does Tanning Cause Acne?

Acne is known to be caused by a build up of oil and dirt on the face or body. This build up can be caused by various factors, including excess lotion and excess sweat. Both of these excesses can be caused or in result of tanning. Does the act of tanning itself cause acne, no, more than likely not. It is the process used in tanning that can cause it, and the skin treatments afterwards.

When one tans, one can sweat if too hot. This sweat cannot properly evaporate while one is in a tanning bed. This sweat then settles in the same pores that it was released from, causing acne. The lotion is also a prime culptrate in causing acne. This is because many people use too much lotion after tanning. This lotion is used to help prevent excessive damage to the skin after exposing it to the sun’s rays or worse, the tanning bed. It is well known that the pores of the body open when heat is applied to the skin. If the skin is still warm, and the pores are still open, excessive lotion can be very easily trapped in the open pores. This can cause acne and infection.

The misconception that tanning prevents rather than causes acne is due to the inability to see the acne in a darkened face. A tanned face throws the shadows and redness from the acne, causing it to be difficult to see and giving the impression of a flawless skin tone. This misconception can be dangerous because of the harmful effects of tanning beds and the scars that acne can leave.