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Dermatology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Tanning Spots
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Tanning Spots

by shelley, Jul 21, 2000 12:00AM
I posted a question last week about white spots possibly from tanning in a tanning bed but some of my questions were not answered.  I will try again.  After tanning for about a month, I noticed small round white spots on my stomach, back, parts of my upper arms and inner thighs and on my rear end.  I was told it might be either (a) a skin fungus or (b) that is just the way my skin develops after tanning and possibly a lack of skin pigment.

I tried Selsun Blue, I researched it and that is what everyone is saying to use.  I have tanned in the past either by tanning bed or by laying out in the direct sun light and have never experienced such "Spots".  But, I have been tanning in a tanning bed more often than in the past.  About three times a week for 20 minutes with tanning excelerator with nutmeg as in ingredient.



1. Can I still tan in a tanning bed; will it make the spots worse  and spread and more noticible?

2. Will Selsun Blue really make my skin turn back to normal.

3. What else can I try?



I am a somewhat dark complected white female.  Please help! Shelley



Doctor's Answer

by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jul 21, 2000 12:00AM
Shelley:



Tanning will probably highlight the spots, because the skin around them will get darker.  I don't know if Selsun will help, because I'm not sure it's a fungus.  Even if it is, and you kill all the fungus, the color may take months to return, so you won't be able to tell till then whether it worked or not.  No, there isn't anything else I can think of you can try.  Perhaps you should see a doctor for more definitive diagnosis.



Best.



Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (38)

by M, Jul 21, 2000 12:00AM
my mother, sister and I get those little white spots all over mostly our legs that show up more when we tan. I think it is in your pigment that shows up when you get darker because those are spots that have no pigment and won't tan with the rest of your body

by diane williams, Jul 24, 2000 12:00AM
I believe that the parts you are refering to being white are the pressure points that you are laying on in the tanning bed.  They won't tan unless you turn over in the bed.   Right now I am fighting the fungus problem of the tanning beds and I know that's not what you have.  100%.  I have been going for over 10 years never had any problems.  One day I started breaking out on my face and now a year later, tons of doctors visits and months of not leaving my house I have found out it is the tanning salon and no one at the tanning salon bothered to tell me til yesterday.  I was told the shampoo too.

by Shelley, to Diane Williams, Jul 25, 2000 12:00AM
Thank you for your comment.  However, they are also on my stomach, I lay on my back in the tanning bed.  If they are pressure points, why would the spots be on my stomach.  I have only laid on my stomach maybe once or twice.  Please let me know, your information is helpful.  Thanks Shelley

by jennifer, Aug 04, 2000 12:00AM
I agree with diane- I get those little spots on my legs every time I tan.  I used to get them constantly when I lived in Hawaii.  I like to refer to them as 'reverse freckles'!

by Renee, Aug 16, 2000 12:00AM


I have the white spots all over my back & they have spread since April when they began. A friend told me it could be a reaction to birth control. Some forms leave the skin unevenly colored when tanning. I have also had problems with a "tan mustache", so I believe she could be right. Anyone else with the same problems or comments to this? Thanks, Renee

by jeannie, Aug 17, 2000 12:00AM
I don't think those spots have anything to do with a tanning bed.  I get them too and I have always said they "come" from the sun.   Your describing exactly what I have which sounds more like a fungus irritated by the sun.  I will know for sure in just a few days when I actually go to the doctor.  I will keep you posted.

by Sherrie, Aug 17, 2000 12:00AM
I have the same spots they have gotten worse through the years.

Before this year I had not gotten in a tanning bed. Or did I lay out in sun the much. The Spot are the same now as they were before I had gotten in the tanning bed. I Have the white spot on my arms,kneck and belly. Dark spots on my face and kneck.  

Any suggestion on what it could be?

by Cheryl, Aug 22, 2000 12:00AM
I, too used to be an avid tanner and would get tan patches.  Once on my chest and another time aound my mouth or tan moustache as someone else put it.  It turns out that birth control can cause white patches and darker patches.  I didn't want to give up my pills so I gave up the sun.

by Cheryl, Aug 22, 2000 12:00AM
I, too used to be an avid tanner and would get tan patches.  Once on my chest and another time aound my mouth or tan moustache as someone else put it.  It turns out that birth control can cause white patches and darker patches.  I didn't want to give up my pills so I gave up the sun.

by Cheryl, Aug 22, 2000 12:00AM
I, too used to be an avid tanner and would get tan patches.  Once on my chest and another time aound my mouth or tan moustache as someone else put it.  It turns out that birth control can cause white patches and darker patches.  I didn't want to give up my pills so I gave up the sun.

by Shelley, to Diane Williams, Aug 23, 2000 12:00AM
Hello all that replied.  Thank you for your comments.  However, I have not received these "white round spots" since I started tanning in a tanning bed.  After about a month and a half of tanning did I get these spots.  I have not been back since.  The spots have begun to fad and I only notice them now on my inner thighs and shoulder blades and not on my stomach any more.  So, it seems as though my skin is getting back to normal.  I tanned outside all the time and never got these little round white spots until after a month of tanning in a tanning bed.  I don't think it might be skin pigment because I have always tanned evenly when tanning outside in the natural sun.  It might be a fungus, but like I said, the spots are almost gone after about two months. I have heard it is a skin fungus, pressure points, skin pigment, and the tanning salon owner said he used to get them all the time because he was tanning so much but used Head and Shoulders and it went away and he slowed down on tanning.  If any one hears anything else...please let me know and thanks again for all the comments, its been helpful!



Symptoms:  white round spots on upper arms and inner thighs, back, bottom and stomach area.  When sweaty, the spots are very itchy.  Noticed them about a month and a half after tanning for 3 days a week for 20 minutes a session.

by Amy, Aug 27, 2000 12:00AM
I'm not an expert but I do own a salon with tanning

services.  From what I have learned in the industry is that

this is a sanitation problem.  Some salons may not have the

recomended sanitizer.  I use professional strength Lucasol diluted as recomended on the container.  Some clients

do not sanitize the surface well before and after use

I recomend to my clients to do this.



Periodicly I go in and spray everything down and leave the

entire surface wet with the solution for 10 min. Then I wipe

it down well. This is also recomended on the bottle.  I have

not heard any complaints of white spots on my customers.