Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and reddened patches. Managing this condition is often challenging, leading many to search for alternative remedies. Because eczema symptoms often improve during summer months, some people wonder if ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, such as that provided by tanning beds, can be used as a treatment. While UV light is a proven component of medical therapy for eczema, using commercial tanning beds for this purpose is medically discouraged due to significant safety concerns and lack of therapeutic control.
How Ultraviolet Light Affects Eczema
Ultraviolet light is used in dermatology because it has a powerful immunosuppressive effect on the skin. Eczema symptoms are largely driven by an overactive immune response localized in the skin, involving inflammatory cells called T-lymphocytes. UV radiation helps to reduce the number and activity of these T-cells in the skin, which calms the inflammation and lessens the associated itching and redness. This reduction in the localized immune response allows the skin to heal, mitigating the chronic cycle of inflammation and scratching typical of eczema.
The anti-inflammatory effect is the primary mechanism of relief, which is why some individuals experience an improvement in their skin during periods of natural sun exposure. UV exposure also stimulates the production of Vitamin D in the skin, a nutrient that plays a role in skin health and immune function. Although lower Vitamin D levels have been observed in some people with severe eczema, the direct anti-inflammatory effect of UV radiation remains the main therapeutic benefit.
The Crucial Difference Between Tanning Beds and Clinical Treatment
The primary distinction between a commercial tanning bed and clinical light therapy lies in the type of UV light emitted, the dose, and the level of control. Dermatologists prescribe phototherapy, which uses highly specific, controlled wavelengths of UV light to treat eczema.
The gold standard for medical light therapy is Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB), which uses a very narrow band of light, typically around 311 to 313 nanometers. This specific wavelength effectively targets the inflammatory immune cells in the upper layers of the skin, maximizing therapeutic benefit while minimizing side effects. Treatments are carefully metered and increase gradually over several weeks under medical supervision, with the exact duration and intensity adjusted based on the patient’s skin response.
Commercial tanning beds, conversely, are designed to maximize tanning, meaning they primarily emit UVA light, often making up about 95% of the UV output. UVA light has a longer wavelength and penetrates deeper into the skin than UVB, but it is much less effective at producing the immunosuppressive response needed to treat eczema. While some tanning beds do emit some UVB light, the ratio is medically inappropriate, and the dosage is completely uncontrolled and inconsistent across different machines.
Using primarily UVA light from a tanning bed is not only ineffective for targeting eczema’s inflammation but also increases the risk of long-term skin damage. The lack of standardization and precision in commercial beds means a person seeking relief is exposed to excessive and dangerous levels of radiation without the therapeutic benefit of controlled NB-UVB.
Why Dermatologists Warn Against Using Tanning Beds
Dermatologists universally advise against using commercial tanning beds for eczema or any other skin condition due to the overwhelming health risks. The uncontrolled, high doses of UV radiation, especially UVA, inflict significant damage to the skin cell’s DNA.
This DNA damage is directly linked to an increased risk of all types of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form. People who use tanning beds before the age of 35 face a 75% higher chance of developing melanoma. Just one indoor tanning session can significantly elevate the risk of both melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Beyond the cancer risk, tanning beds accelerate photoaging, leading to premature wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, and a leathery texture. The high UV exposure also increases the risk of eye damage, including cataracts. For individuals with eczema, the heat and intense UV exposure from a tanning bed can sometimes trigger an actual flare-up, worsening the condition they are trying to treat.
The uncontrolled nature and high UVA output of commercial tanning beds make them a dangerous substitute for prescribed medical phototherapy. If you have eczema and believe UV light helps your symptoms, consult a dermatologist who can determine if controlled phototherapy with a device like NB-UVB is a suitable, safe treatment option.