No, prolonged exposure to the sun does not “care” acne. On the contrary, it can activate the immune cells that aggravate inflammation. What science says

We know: social media are full of To say the least questionable. However, one of the new tricks for skin care that some users are sharing online seems really worrying. Some creators of content on Tiktok claim that Take a strong tan or spend a lot of time in a tanning cabin help to get rid of theacne. Nothing more false and dangerous.

Although natural sunlight and UV radiation have long been used to treat some skin conditions, the tests show first of all that these techniques are not effective When specifically it is about treating acne. Not to mention the fact that the risks of excessive exposure to UV rays far exceed any minimal benefit that could eventually be observed in the appearance of your skin.

For example, some studies show that even a single vesicular scrolling in childhood or adolescence can double the chances of developing some type of skin cancer in adulthood. In fact, the risk of onset increases as often as often solar burns. This is due to the fact that exposure to UV causes significant damage to the DNA of our skin cells.

Melanoma and neoplasms of the skin: the guidelines to protect themselves in the summer

Melanoma represents only 5% of skin neoplasms, but it is the most aggressive type, particularly common among young adults under the age of 30. The suggestions of the expert for perfect prevention to the sea, in the mountains and in the city

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Not only that, therefore, there is no evidence that the sun can treat acne but the disadvantages of prolonged exposure to the sun, especially if not protected, are numerous and well studied. A retrospective review of all studies conducted on sun exposure and acne between 1992 and 2022 carried out in 2023 He discovered that exposure to UV radiation is unlikely to better the symptoms of acne. And, in some cases, it could even worsen it. This may be due to the fact that Exposure to UVB rays can activate immune cells that aggravate the inflammation caused by acne And they increase the production of sebum, a risk factor known for the chronic pathology of the skin.

If it is true that some studies on human skin cells have shown some potential benefits from UVB rays, including the ability to kill the Propionibacterium acnesthe bacterium held responsible for the acne, it is therefore equally true that these benefits have been demonstrated only on cells and they have never been replicated in man studies. In fact, most of these studies have also concluded that any beneficial effect was probably minimal and not sufficient for therapeutic use, especially considering the already mentioned side effects of UV radiation. In addition, like This retrospective survey He made it clear, the precise doses of UV rays to which the participants were exhibited were not measured directly.

So phototherapy?

It is a medical treatment that involves the exposure of the skin to sunlight or UV radiation in a controlled environment. It is widely used to treat psoriasis and eczema In cases where other treatments have not worked or are not compatible for a patient. Some studies They show that phototherapy can help reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response of the skin, both key factors in the development of these conditions.

It is important to note, however, that this procedure comes performed in a clinical environment in which the doses of radiation used on the skin are controlled with precision To minimize the harmful effects of exposure to UV radiation. Pre-treatment tests are also performed to reduce the risk of burns.

Scientific sources mentioned in this article:

Source: Vanity Fair

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