Is Tanning A Good Solution For Cellulite?
Scientists have determined in recent years that overexposure to the sun has serious health risks. With that in mind, one of the most common myths about cellulite is that tanning will reduce the dimply skin. Is that true? In short: No. Tanning won’t improve the look of cellulite, and it’s actually one of the worst things you can do for your skin’s health and appearance. If you want to get smooth legs, the better option is injectable Qwo®, explains Dallas-area dermatologist Dr. Ellen Turner.
A suntan wasn’t always considered to be a glamorous thing. In fact, before the industrial revolution, it was fashionable for those in the upper echelons of society to go to great lengths to maintain a pale look. Sun-darkened skin was equated with peasants toiling in fields and performing manual labour. Scientists later determined that getting sun exposure has some health benefits, such as supporting bone development, but tanning is believed to have become fashionable in the 1920s thanks to photos of a bronzed Coco Chanel that were released at the time and started the trend.
Having a sun-kissed glow became a status symbol by the 1960s, as the look became associated with good health, holidays in exotic places, wealth, and leisure time. Color film and affordable commercial air travel enticed the British to sunbathe in warmer climates. Tanning continued to grow as a huge trend, especially in the early 2000s, and the desire for a coppery complexion has resulted in “tanorexia” or a tanning addiction for many.
Here are some reasons why patients shouldn’t depend on tanning as a solution for cellulite.
It Causes Premature Aging and Increases Cancer Risk
We now know that excess sun exposure significantly increases the risk of skin cancer. Not to mention, it accelerates premature aging, leading to hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and a leathery texture. We might associate a golden and glowing tan with good health, but the truth is that even seeking a base tan isn’t good for you. While it doesn’t sting as much as sunburn, it won’t protect your skin from burning, and the darker pigmentation is itself evidence of skin damage.
It Doesn’t Work
Seeking out natural or artificial techniques to get your skin tanned will mostly be an expensive exercise in futility if your goal is to reduce cellulite. While the tan temporarily makes the cottage cheese flesh more difficult to see, cellulite is associated with the condition of the skin itself. A darker tone or topical products that are placed on the outer surface of the skin won’t be able to release the tightened collagen bands and pockets of fat that are causing the problem.
It Actually Makes Cellulite Worse
Tanning can only make cellulite become more pronounced in the long-term. The underlying causes of cellulite are collagen bands below the skin’s surface. When the skin becomes weaker, thinner, and less elastic over time thanks to the sun exposure that damages collagen fibers, it will only make cellulite look much worse.
There’s a Safer Alternative
It’s always been said that tanned fat looks better than white fat. If you have very fair skin, a darker appearance on your butt and legs may actually help to hide uneven surface textures. If you truly do want to bronze to make your cellulite less visible, it’s better to use natural-looking spray-on and rub-on tanning products that will give you the look you want without having to damage the skin. Just remember that to maximize results from a self-tan, you need to exfoliate, wax, and shave several days in advance. Also, moisturize regularly to ensure that your tan is even.
For more facts about causes, risk factors, and treatments for all types of cellulite, contact the Dermatology Office of Dr. Ellen Turner. Patients who are ready to find out more about what the injectable cellulite treatment Qwo® involves can call them at (214) 373-7546 or submit a contact form to request a consultation.