December 13, 2007
Ultraviolet Light - Acne Treatment Friend Or Foe?
There was a time that acne was routinely treated with ultraviolet (UV) lights. Acne sufferers would visit the dermatologist for their weekly dosage of sunburns from sunlamps. The results? It looked like they'd spent a long day at the beach — they'd be red and peeling for days afterward. The treatment did make acne look better for a time and may have had some benefit as a peeling agent. It also helped to blend skin tones and hide the acne lesions. But as we now know, repeated exposure to high intensity UV rays should be avoided. Frequent exposure to ultraviolet light can promote aging of the skin as well as certain skin cancers. The light sources used to treat acne today don't contain UV light.
As for the proponents of tanning salons, they contend that:
- Exposure dries up acne and improves its appearance.
- Using artificial tanning equipment, like beds and lamps, as well as natural sunlight, can protect you against some forms of cancer by increasing your vitamin D levels.
Dermatologists believe that artificial tanning equipment, such as beds and lamps, should be avoided particularly if you are at higher risk of sun damage.