Sunscreen and Tanning

[chris154]

Hello,

I have a quick sunscreen question.  I wear a SPF 15 and I am still able to get a little bit of a tan while wearing it.

I know that no tan is "healthy", but is this a way to cheat the system and still get a little color!  ; )

Thanks in advance,

Chris

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Please reread: You can use tanning beds but they have their own side effects ( folliculitis, redness, rashes, skin malignancies).

[chris154]

Tanning beds are okay???

Are you a dermatologist?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I have gone through your question. SPF 15 is less for exposure to the UV radiations of the sun and it is not advisable to tan with such low spf because of the risk of skin malignancies. You can use tanning beds but they have their own side effects ( folliculitis, redness, rashes, skin malignancies).

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[chris154]

I'm not sure you read my question.....please re read and re post.  thanks

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It is not safe to be in the sun for a long time without sunscreen. You should wear long sleeved cotton clothes and apply sun screen with a minimum spf of 30 atleast half an hour before going out in the sun. Avoid using any creams with bleaching agents but you can use creams with AHA or licorice.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.