So I think I need to start tanning

[gmail]

I'm really torn about this.

For the past 2 years, I've had horrible full-body eczema. No pill, cream, lotion, diet change or any other medical treatment has made any difference. The last resort is phototherapy. We spent the week at the beach, and during that time, I did a few minutes in the sun without sunscreen (slathered up the rest of the time). My entire body cleared up and I didn't start to break out again, until I came home and didn't spend time outside.

So, I either need to schedule phototherapy at my derm's office for $35/visit, 3X/week for 6 weeks (his suggestion for best results) or go buy a package at a local tanning salon for $6/visit.

I hate that I need to do this to myself, but it's the only thing that cleared my skin. I can't spend enough time outside during the week (or even the weekends) to make up for it. I tried doing it since we got back, and it's been too hard to get enough exposure to keep the spots away.

BLERG. I'm annoyed and frustrated, but kinda ready to say "fuck it!" and just do it.

[wambam]

This might be flameful, but I don't think it's that big of a deal if you're doing the minimum effective dose. Only tan for as long and as frequently as it takes to clear up your skin.

I'm an Irish, fair-skinned, red-head and I don't think it's a big deal. So there's that.

[snickers]

Tanning does make my skin look much better, but it has it's risks for sure, which sucks

[gmail]

I don't know how tanning beds work (do you set a timer? do you select a level?) but my plan is to go 1x/week for a really really low dose. I don't need to look tan. I just need my skin to have some concentrated UV exposure.

DH is really against it, but I just dno't know if I can stomach paying close to $700 for the phototherapy. And that's if it's covered by insurance!

[speckledfrog]

Is the light at the dermatologist's office different than the one at a tanning salon?

[gmail]

Jul 9, 2013 15:53:17 GMT -5 speckledfrog said:

Is the light at the dermatologist's office different than the one at a tanning salon?

Oh, good question!

[gmail]

Jul 9, 2013 15:55:30 GMT -5 gmail said:

Jul 9, 2013 15:53:17 GMT -5 speckledfrog said:

Is the light at the dermatologist's office different than the one at a tanning salon?

Oh, good question!

BLERG they are!!!

Phototherapy uses UVB rays and most tanning salons use UVA.

Apparently UVB is more successful at treating skin disorders.

[elleblue]

Jul 9, 2013 15:57:35 GMT -5 gmail said:

Jul 9, 2013 15:55:30 GMT -5 gmail said:

Oh, good question!

BLERG they are!!!

Phototherapy uses UVB rays and most tanning salons use UVA.

Apparently UVB is more successful at treating skin disorders.

Can you schedule some time outside each week? It sounds like you may only need a few minutes...

[gmail]

Jul 9, 2013 16:02:29 GMT -5 elleblue said:

Jul 9, 2013 15:57:35 GMT -5 gmail said:

BLERG they are!!!

Phototherapy uses UVB rays and most tanning salons use UVA.

Apparently UVB is more successful at treating skin disorders.

Can you schedule some time outside each week? It sounds like you may only need a few minutes...

Maybe I'll start eating my lunch outside during the week and hang out on the deck during the weekend. That will work until it gets cold (or rainy, as it's been recently!)

[elleblue]

Jul 9, 2013 16:03:26 GMT -5 gmail said:

Jul 9, 2013 16:02:29 GMT -5 elleblue said:

Can you schedule some time outside each week? It sounds like you may only need a few minutes...

Maybe I'll start eating my lunch outside during the week and hang out on the deck during the weekend. That will work until it gets cold (or rainy, as it's been recently!)

I have no idea where you live or what the weather is like year round, but assuming you're somewhere with seasons, when they change and sun is hard to come by, you could consider going in to your derm's office.

Sorry you have to deal with this. I've had a couple of patches of it temporarily (due to stress) and it was a giant pain. I can only imagine if it were all over. {{{gmail}}}

[purrbox]

I'd take eczema over melanoma, so I definitely wouldn't go the tanning bed route.

[Deleted]

Some tanning salons actually have UVB beds. Why not call and ask? If it is the same exposure as you'd get at the derms and for just a few minutes, why not? I bet the cost at the derms is mostly associated with the cost of the unit and since they don't 'prescribe' it often, it costs lots more than going to a salon. Just a guess though.

[emsumm]

Jul 9, 2013 15:42:17 GMT -5 wambam said:

This might be flameful, but I don't think it's that big of a deal if you're doing the minimum effective dose. Only tan for as long and as frequently as it takes to clear up your skin.

I'm an Irish, fair-skinned, red-head and I don't think it's a big deal. So there's that.

Oh, so you're an expert. 

OP, please don't.