Tanning accelerator/lotion

[Haldy]

i use the taning bed once a week

just wanting to know if you guys are using any accelerators or lotion to help speed up tanning? if so what product.

and how beneficial you think the are?

 

[Dad]

Oxsoralen

Oxsoralen, a presciption med for increasing photosensitivity and melanin production is the best thing to use.
This is given to vitilago patients (what Michael Jackson claims he has) who can't tan and have very skin sensitive to UV light. It comes in 10 mg strength, and if you're really whaite, you might be able to get a doc to prescibe it for you.

All that lotion stuff, and "accelerators" are a waste of money as they sit on the top of a water-tight surface covered with dead cells - your skin. They do NOTHING to enhance melanin prodcution, and unless you have melanocytes (pigment producing cells deep in the lower layers of the dermis) producing melanin, you won't tan. UV light stimulates melanocytes.

 

[Coopie]

I owned a Tanning Salon for many years (as a side-business), and I can tell you from personal and anecdotal cuatomer experience, tanning accelerators work for one simple reason - hydration. The tanning process, and exposure to UV radiation, has a drying effect on the skin - most notably on the surface and sub-surface layers of the skin.

Production of Melanin is dependent upon necessary amounts of skin hydration. The less hydrated the skin is, the less you will tan. By using an accelerator, or any hydratant, you are helping the tanning process along. Hydration is also important post-tanning. If your skin is dry you are more likely to naturally exfoliate, and thereby shed your tan.

The radiation from tanning beds do not penetrate as deeply into the skin as natural sunlight does. Therefore a "fake" or "indoor" tan is more likely to dissapate faster than a natural tan will. By staying hydrated you are better able to keep your tan with less sessions.

Tanning products are expensive on the retail level, but if you can find a site to sell them to you wholesale (some do - I can look into it if you like Haldy), you'll pay about 1/3 of the retail price. Alternatively, use a high quality moisturizer from Bath & body Works, for example, and you'll be just as happy.

 

[saint808]

Use a high pressure bed, carribean rum and then mystic... you get a double shot of DHA that way. Otherwse keep the skin moist.

 

[Dad]

Let's try science

Skin is not "hydrated" from the outside.
While there are a very few substances that can penetrate the epidermis and dermal layers (DMSO, Vit E), moisturizers, skin creams and the like are not among them.

Hydration of tissues has to do with water distribution between the extracellular and intracellular compartments, which is regulated by the kidneys in responseto a number of interrelated factors (sodium levels, etc).

Pick up an anatomy text and read a bit about the MULTIPLE layers that skin is comprised of. Read about the tight junctions between cells, tight basement membrane, and keratinized outer layer. Creams and accelerators do not penetrate this layer, and do not stimulate melanocytes. Thus, they do not stimulate tanning. They do grease down the outer layer of dead cells, but this too has no effect on tanning.

 

[Coopie]

I am not suggesting that creams and lotions penetrate through the skin layers into the bloodstream. I am, however, suggesting that if the outermost layers of skin need to remain moist in order for proper tanning to take place, then externally-applied moisturizers are the best bets for that purpose.

It is common practice for dermatologists to prescribe Amlactin (Lac-Hydrin) for skin dryness, eczema, etc. Likewise, topical application of antibiotic cremes, gels, etc. is commonplace.

Dad, are you suggesting that these topicals "sit on the skin's surface", and do not penetrate? Not looking for a pissing contest, it's just that I have some experience that differs with your theory - so no disrespect in advance!

 

[GettingBigger]

I completely 100% agree with coopie on this one.

 

[saint808]

Skin is not "hydrated" from the outside.
While there are a very few substances that can penetrate the epidermis and dermal layers (DMSO, Vit E), moisturizers, skin creams and the like are not among them.

Hydration of tissues has to do with water distribution between the extracellular and intracellular compartments, which is regulated by the kidneys in responseto a number of interrelated factors (sodium levels, etc).

Pick up an anatomy text and read a bit about the MULTIPLE layers that skin is comprised of. Read about the tight junctions between cells, tight basement membrane, and keratinized outer layer. Creams and accelerators do not penetrate this layer, and do not stimulate melanocytes. Thus, they do not stimulate tanning. They do grease down the outer layer of dead cells, but this too has no effect on tanning.

you are kind of rigth there actually... the creams only hold in the water.... thye barely add to it.

 

[Dad]

No pissing contest interest either!

Hi Coopie,

I'm not looking for a pissing match either. I get frustrated because a fair amount of what's said on the boards flies so in the face of well-established science that's fairly easy to access.

Anyway, no, I didn't think you were saying these compounds made it into the bloodstream. What I am saying is that over the counter topicals do not penetrate the epidermis. Is there a bit of dehydration that takes place when one tans? Probably, and due largely to sweating.

I do not agree with the idea that the outermost layers of skin need to be kept moist for tanning. Melanocytes, deep in the dermal layers, produce melanin pigment which creates the tan, or darkening of skin.

There are antibiotics that are topically applied attack fungi, Staph, etc, on the surface of the skin. If it's below the surface, systemic drugs are used. Consider the relative ineffectiveness of attacking dermatophytes topically compared to oral systemic preparations. And, as I said eirlier, there are topically-applied preparations that do cross the epidermal layeres, but not OTC products.

Because you got me interested, I looked in few of my old derm, histo, and physiology texts, as well as doing a quick MedLine search. I stand by my comments.

No disrespect intended to you, just discussing the science that governs what's taking place here. Yuo are, of course, free to believe whatyou wish.

Best,
Dad

 

[Coopie]

Cool Dad!

I will always defer to someone who has more knowledge or experience than I on any given topic. It looks like we're on the same page, for the most part anyhow.

Haldy - looks like it's up to you to determine if you spend your $ on accelerators. As I said before, and if you choose to buy them, search for a distributor on-line who will sell them w/out a minimum order or a business tax id #. Ten minutes of searching may save you a boatload of $$$ as opposed to buying them at point-of-sale in a tanning salon!

 

[jon123123]

ok well while we are on this subject i have a question. about a year ago i had a very bad acne breakout after my second cycle, so i was forced to go the route of accutane it was so bad. After the accutane was over for 6 months i was white as a ghost as you cant tan while on that med. Well anyway before t6he accutane i was able to tan very well and hold a good color, but now i cant tan for crap. I look great right after i tan but come the next morning i am pale again. I have tried every differnt kind of accelerator even the extreme tingle sizzle whatever the hell you want to call it. Is there somethign i can take to help my skin tan without getting a prescription or does anyone have any suggestions.

thanks
JB

 

[knucklehed]

No tanning on Acutane?

ok well while we are on this subject i have a question. about a year ago i had a very bad acne breakout after my second cycle, so i was forced to go the route of accutane it was so bad. After the accutane was over for 6 months i was white as a ghost as you cant tan while on that med. Well anyway before t6he accutane i was able to tan very well and hold a good color, but now i cant tan for crap. I look great right after i tan but come the next morning i am pale again. I have tried every differnt kind of accelerator even the extreme tingle sizzle whatever the hell you want to call it. Is there somethign i can take to help my skin tan without getting a prescription or does anyone have any suggestions.

thanks
JB

Don't know about that?
My wife is on 60mg/day and tanning 3-4 times a week. Infact she is very tan and she does not have a single pimple anywhere on her body and I have covered everysqaure inch.
BTW: That accutane is amazing stuff. Has a smoothing affect makes the skin shiny and smooth and the deep dark tan and well...
I am heading home to stalk the wife....
KH

 

[jon123123]

tanning while on accutane is quite dangerous bro if i went out in the sun for 15 mins i was burnt to a crisp, but then i was living in FL when i was on it

 

[Armageddon]

Acutane and antibiotics and even some analegesic's shouldn't be mixed with tanning.
Not using some kind of moisturizer and or excellerator your not getting the full benefits out of the tanning bed.
Also things like Oxsoralen and there's another but I can't thing of it, will help speed up the process.
Does anyone else have problems with regular beds, I lay in one and get lines on my back. doesn't matter the bulbs or where I'm at it looks like someone took a big red paint brush down the center of my back. Looks funny if it peels

 

[Dad]

Accutane

Jonboy,

In reading over the prescibing info for accutane, a few things stand out:
1) the mechanism of action is not really clear yet (i.e. we aren't entirely sure just how it works)
2) among the effects is hypopigmentation, as well as hyperpigmentation
3) it can exhibit a photosensitizing effect
4) the effects seem to vary among people, so what one person experiences as side effects may not be what another does

I'm just sort of shooting from the hip here, based on reading the accutane info and what you've said, but it appears you experienced some degree of hypopigmentation. How long will/could this last? I'm not sure anyone could say with any certainty. The drug half life is only about 21 hours, but it is a very lipid-soluble drug, so could this lead to its hanging out in fatty tissues longer?

What I would suggest is talking to your dermatologist about this, and seeing if maybe Oxsoralen might be worth trying - especially if you are exposed to sunlight a lot (like living in FL).

I do not think any OTC product is going to do anything for this situation.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help...

 

[jon123123]

thanks for the responce i have been off accutane for a year now and tanning since i have been off but just never able to get that nice tan that i had before, and i am tanning 3 - 4 times a week, mabey i will speak to myh dermatologist about it see what he can do

 

[Coopie]

I was prescribed Accutane when I was about 17 years old for moderate to severe acne. And that was before I even discovered AS!

It made me so dry that if the wond blew too hard I would crack from head to toe! In retrospect, perhaps my Rx was too high for me, but I cannot even imagine having gone tanning while on Accutane!

Knucklehed - Please have your wife be careful! You should check her to make certain that any beauty marks or moles have not changed shape or color. Look for solid borders and even coloration. That's not a joke either, my wife had a very small melanoma removed last year and she's only 31 years old! Thank god I spotted it... Just lookin out for ya bro!

 

[GettingBigger]

Accutane - My GF is currently using and lets just say it is some powerful stuff. The process you have to go through to even receive your prescription is a pain. First she has all blood work done a week ahead, then she must pass a pregnancy test (negative) in order to receive her prescription. DO NOT GET YOUR WIFE PREGNANT ON ACCUTANE!!!!!

Also no tanning allowed. Not that she could as she is as dry as humanly possible.

If it helps she's on 80 mg / day

 

[knucklehed]

Thanks for the concern

I realize it is suggested to not tan on accutane. The wife's Derm is aware of her tanning and has expressed that it is not the best idea. However he says moderate tanning without burning should not cause any problems. She is stubborn about this. She sees him every 4 weeks and so far he has shown no concern over the tanning and thinks she is respondig well to treatment.

This being said, The wife has the right kind of skin for tanning and is an experienced tanner. Allowing yourself to burn while on accutane could be very bad. I am not suggesting anyone else do what she does.

Thx
KH

 

[Coopie]

I'll say this for Accutane though, I did not even get so much as a blackhead for about 5 years after finishing my 3 month cycle of Accutane.

It was only after I began AS that I started needing lotions, cremes, and antibiotics for acne again. Even though, I believe that the prior use of Accutane has helped to keep my breakouts to a minimum - even on some heavy cycles.

That is some powerful stuff!