What should you know about dark spots from tanning bed?

Tanning beds emit ultraviolet light, which can stimulate pigment and make existing spots more noticeable. Repeated exposure may also aggravate melasma and deepen post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after acne, eczema, or irritation. Sun spots are another possible explanation for flat marks on exposed skin. Tinea versicolor can mimic uneven colour but may have fine scale. The location, surface, symmetry, and history of inflammation help a clinician separate these possibilities.

Stop tanning-bed exposure and protect exposed skin with broad-spectrum sunscreen, shade, clothing, and a hat. Do not scrub or peel a dark mark aggressively, and avoid unlabelled bleaching mixtures. If pigmentation persists, a dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis before discussing a skin brightening treatment, chemical peel, or picosecond laser treatment. Recently tanned or irritated skin may need time to settle before an aesthetic procedure is considered.

Arrange prompt assessment if a mark changes quickly, has an uneven border, several colours, bleeding, crusting, or persistent soreness. A rough patch that does not heal also needs review. Do not attribute every unusual spot to tanning; an examination is the safer way to identify a condition that needs medical treatment.

Ask whether the mark is a sun spot, melasma, post-inflammatory change, or another condition, how long to wait after tanning, and which treatment is appropriate for your skin.