Using acne medication and exposure to sunlight?

Question

I remember reading somewhere that if you use acne medication that you should not go out in the sun. I am currently going to a tanning bed a few times a week, so I was wondering what would be the best thing to do?

Should I use the medication at night, and then if I am going tanning a certain day, just not use the medication that morning?

Thanks, and btw its called acne free, its like proactiv but its a walmart brand. X_X

Answer 1

Check the label. If it says to avoid exposure to the sun, you need to stop going to the tanning bed. If you still have doubts after reading the label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Answer 2

Even if you are going to a tanning bed you still need to use sunscreen. The ingredient in Acne Free is Benzoyl Peroxide, which can not only break down the oils on the face but can help slough off dead cells (especially if the toner has glycolic acid). Because of this, new cells are exposed and can cause a sensitivity reaction to the UV exposure (tanning bed, outside or otherwise). This is because you dont have the "older skin cells" there to shield and protect the new skin cells from the tanning rays. You can still tan, but be sure to use sunscreen to prevent sunburn. It'll be a slower tanning process, but would be better for you in the long run. Neutrogena is a good brand for face sunscreen. You can also ask for a facial sunscreen that's fragrant-/dye-free and non-comodegenic (sp?) if you are sensitive to certain frangrances and/or dyes. Good luck!

Answer 3

That depends on the drug.
As you are going for tanning beds, you need not worry.
Because after sometime skin cancer and not acne will be your main concern.
http://www.doctorgoodskin.com/ds/sundamage/tanningsalons.php

Tanning Salons And Sun Lamps


One of the main causes of skin cancer is exposure to harmful sun rays. If you think that getting tanned at tanning salons is safer than the sun, think again before visiting any salon. Tanning beds and sunlamps are as dangerous as the sun rays.

Most of the bulbs used in the salons emit both UVA and UVB radiations that are also found in the sunlight and are responsible for both melanoma and non-melonoma types of cancers. Exposure to tanning bulbs also reduces our body's ability to repair the damaged DNA, which is caused by UV radiation.

Tanning may not only cause cancers but also prematurely age the skin. Note that tanning is body's response to damage to the skin. Every time, you get tanned, you accumulate skin damage. There is no such thing as safe tanning.

Tanning is bad whether from sun, or from tanning beds or sun lamps.

Answer 4

You should definitely be careful mixing BP with sun exposure and UV rays. You don't want to cause irreversible to your skin. Here is an informative website on BP and skin damage:

http://www.skintactix.com/benzoyl_peroxide_skin_damage.htm

Personally I tried both BP based products and tanning machines and neither made a significant difference to my acne. I use a natural system to maintain clear skin. I got a great book on how to do this here:

http://www.ultimateacnesolution.com

There is also a free book available too which has some good information in it from this website.

Answer 5

In my experience, when I used Acne Free, and exposed myself to sunlight, my acne got worse, becoming more irratated and itchy. Also, the exposure caused more breakouts. My suggestion would be to go to the tanning bed when you wake up before you apply the medication then it would have had all night to settle. Another suggestion would be to go at night, before putting it on again, this way the application you put on in the morning would have had all day to settle.

Answer 6

Why worry about acne,when your literally cooking yourself in a tanning bed!! Now there's food for thought.