Are Sunbeds Good for Psoriasis? Risks, Myths and How UV Therapy Actually Works

Quick Answer

Some people with psoriasis notice that their symptoms improve after exposure to sunlight, leading to a common belief that commercial sunbeds may have similar benefits. However, commercial tanning beds are not considered a substitute for medical phototherapy.

Although medically supervised phototherapy is an established treatment for some people with psoriasis, it uses carefully controlled wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light delivered according to an individual treatment plan. Commercial sunbeds are designed for cosmetic tanning rather than treating skin conditions and expose users to different types and intensities of UV radiation. They are also associated with recognised health risks, including cumulative skin damage and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Understanding why these treatments differ can help explain why healthcare professionals may recommend phototherapy in certain situations while generally advising against using commercial sunbeds to manage psoriasis.

Introduction

For many people living with psoriasis, the idea that ultraviolet (UV) light can improve symptoms is confusing.

One website warns that sunbeds should be avoided, while another mentions that UV light forms part of recognised psoriasis treatment. Some people report that their skin appears better after a holiday abroad, while others wonder whether a tanning salon could produce the same effect.

These mixed messages often lead to understandable questions:

• If UV light can help psoriasis, why aren't sunbeds recommended?
• Isn't a tanning bed just another form of light therapy?
• Why would a dermatologist recommend phototherapy but discourage commercial sunbed use?

The answer lies in understanding that not all UV light is the same.

Although both phototherapy units and tanning beds use ultraviolet radiation, they are designed for very different purposes. The type of UV light used, the way it is delivered and the level of medical supervision involved all differ significantly.

Understanding these differences helps explain where phototherapy fits within recognised psoriasis treatment pathways, and why commercial sunbeds generally do not.

Why Do People Think Sunbeds Help Psoriasis?

The belief that sunbeds may help psoriasis usually comes from two observations.

The first is that many people notice their psoriasis improves during sunny weather or after spending time outdoors. This experience is common enough that it has become widely discussed within psoriasis communities.

The second is that people hear about phototherapy being used in hospitals or dermatology clinics. Once they learn that phototherapy involves ultraviolet light, it can seem reasonable to assume that commercial tanning beds work in much the same way.

This assumption is understandable, but it overlooks important differences between natural sunlight, medical phototherapy and commercial tanning beds.

Rather than thinking of them as different versions of the same treatment, it is more accurate to think of them as different sources of UV radiation with different purposes, benefits and risks.

Why Can UV Light Affect Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition in which the immune system causes skin cells to reproduce more rapidly than normal. This accelerated skin-cell turnover contributes to the development of plaques, inflammation and scale.

Researchers have found that certain wavelengths of ultraviolet light can influence inflammatory processes within the skin. When delivered under carefully controlled medical conditions, this may help reduce inflammation and slow excessive skin-cell production in some people.

This is the scientific basis for medical phototherapy.

Importantly, the goal is not simply to expose the skin to as much UV light as possible.

Instead, treatment focuses on delivering carefully selected wavelengths at controlled doses to achieve potential therapeutic effects while limiting unnecessary exposure.

This distinction is one of the key reasons commercial tanning beds are not considered equivalent.

Understanding Ultraviolet (UV) Light

Ultraviolet light forms part of the natural energy emitted by the sun.

Although invisible to the human eye, UV radiation affects the skin in different ways depending on its wavelength.

The three main categories are:

Although these categories are often discussed together, they do not have identical biological effects.

The specific wavelength, the amount of exposure and the treatment schedule all influence how UV light affects the skin.

How Do Commercial Sunbeds Work?

Commercial tanning beds are designed to produce a cosmetic tan rather than treat medical conditions.

Most commercial sunbeds emit predominantly UVA radiation, although the exact balance between UVA and UVB varies between machines and manufacturers.

The primary aim is to stimulate pigment production within the skin to create tanning.

Unlike medical phototherapy, tanning beds are not calibrated around an individual's psoriasis severity, treatment response or skin condition.

They are also not designed to deliver recognised therapeutic doses for inflammatory skin disease.

For someone unfamiliar with dermatology, this difference may seem subtle. After all, both involve exposure to ultraviolet light.

However, the purpose of the equipment is fundamentally different.

A tanning bed is designed to darken the skin.

Medical phototherapy is designed to deliver carefully controlled UV treatment for specific inflammatory skin conditions under clinical supervision.

How Does Medical Phototherapy Work?

Phototherapy is a recognised medical treatment used for certain inflammatory skin conditions, including psoriasis. It involves exposing affected skin to carefully controlled ultraviolet light under medical supervision. This differs significantly from recreational sunbed use.

Before treatment begins, healthcare professionals assess factors such as:

• the type of psoriasis
• symptom severity
• previous treatments
• skin type
• individual medical history

Treatment sessions are carefully planned and monitored.

Exposure times are controlled, treatment doses are adjusted gradually and progress is reviewed throughout the course of therapy.

This careful monitoring aims to balance potential benefits with the known risks associated with ultraviolet exposure.

Rather than encouraging maximum UV exposure, phototherapy seeks to use the minimum effective dose appropriate for the individual.

Why Is Narrowband UVB Commonly Used?

One of the most widely used forms of psoriasis phototherapy is narrowband UVB.

Instead of exposing the skin to a broad range of ultraviolet wavelengths, narrowband UVB delivers a much narrower section of the UVB spectrum that has been found to be useful in psoriasis management.

This targeted approach helps explain why phototherapy differs from simply spending longer in the sun or using a tanning bed.

Healthcare professionals do not select narrowband UVB because it produces a cosmetic tan.

Instead, it is used because research has identified particular wavelengths that may help manage inflammatory skin conditions while allowing treatment to be delivered in a controlled and standardised way.

The emphasis is on precision rather than intensity.

Many people assume that if some UV exposure is beneficial, then more UV exposure must produce better results.

This is a misconception.

Increasing UV exposure beyond what is medically appropriate does not necessarily improve psoriasis control and may instead increase the risk of cumulative skin damage.

Where Does Phototherapy Fit Within Psoriasis Treatment?

Phototherapy is one of several recognised treatment options available for psoriasis.

Not everyone with psoriasis will need it.

Treatment plans vary depending on factors such as:

• the severity of symptoms
• the areas of the body affected
• previous treatment response
• individual circumstances
• professional clinical assessment

For many people with scalp psoriasis, management may begin with topical therapies aimed at reducing inflammation and managing scale.

Medicated shampoos may also form part of treatment, particularly where scaling and flaking are prominent. Coal tar shampoos have been used in dermatology for many decades to help manage scaling, itching, inflammation and excessive skin-cell turnover associated with certain scalp conditions. Polytar is one licensed coal tar shampoo that may be used within recognised scalp psoriasis treatment pathways to help manage symptoms such as scaling, flaking and itching. It should be viewed as one recognised treatment option rather than a standalone solution.

If symptoms remain difficult to control, healthcare professionals may consider additional approaches, including medically supervised phototherapy where appropriate.

Phototherapy therefore represents one stage within broader psoriasis management rather than a treatment that replaces all others.

Commercial Sunbeds vs Medical Phototherapy

Although both involve exposure to ultraviolet light, commercial tanning beds and medical phototherapy are designed for different purposes and should not be considered interchangeable.

Although this comparison highlights important differences, it does not mean phototherapy is risk free. Ultraviolet radiation can damage the skin over time regardless of the source, which is why medical treatment is carefully planned and monitored.

Why Aren't Commercial Sunbeds Recommended for Psoriasis?

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding psoriasis is that any source of ultraviolet light should produce the same result.

Current understanding does not support this.

Commercial tanning beds are generally not recommended as a treatment for psoriasis because they differ from medical phototherapy in several important ways.

They use different ultraviolet wavelengths

Many commercial sunbeds are designed primarily to produce tanning and therefore emit predominantly UVA radiation.

Recognised psoriasis phototherapy commonly uses carefully controlled narrowband UVB because this wavelength has been studied for its role in managing inflammatory skin conditions.

These are not equivalent forms of treatment.

UV dose is not individually controlled

Medical phototherapy follows carefully planned treatment schedules.

Healthcare professionals adjust the dose according to factors such as skin type, previous response and the development of any side effects.

Commercial tanning beds do not provide this level of individual medical supervision.

More UV exposure is not necessarily better

It can be tempting to assume that longer sessions or more frequent tanning will produce greater improvements.

However, psoriasis management is not simply about increasing UV exposure.

Greater exposure may increase cumulative skin damage without providing additional therapeutic benefit.

Commercial tanning beds are not recognised psoriasis treatments

Although some individuals report temporary improvement after using sunbeds, anecdotal experiences are not the same as recognised medical treatment.

Current psoriasis management pathways distinguish clearly between medically supervised phototherapy and recreational tanning.

What Are the Risks of Commercial Sunbed Use?

The risks associated with commercial sunbeds are well recognised and extend beyond psoriasis.

Repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation contributes to cumulative skin damage over time.

Recognised risks include:

• Premature skin ageing
• Pigment changes
• Sunburn
• Eye damage if appropriate protection is not used
• Increased risk of several types of skin cancer

These risks are related to cumulative ultraviolet exposure.

This is another reason healthcare professionals generally do not recommend commercial tanning beds as a way of managing psoriasis.

Medical phototherapy also involves UV exposure, but treatment is delivered within structured clinical protocols that aim to minimise unnecessary exposure while monitoring both response and safety.

Can Natural Sunlight Help Psoriasis?

Some people notice that their psoriasis appears less severe after spending time outdoors, particularly during sunny weather or holidays.

Several factors may contribute to this experience.

Natural sunlight contains ultraviolet radiation, including UVB, which may influence inflammatory processes in the skin.

However, sunlight is highly variable.

The amount of UV reaching the skin changes according to:

• season
• time of day
• weather conditions
• latitude
• altitude
• individual skin type

Because these factors cannot be controlled precisely, sunlight cannot be considered equivalent to medical phototherapy.

Excessive sun exposure also carries recognised risks, including sunburn and cumulative skin damage.

For these reasons, healthcare professionals generally encourage sensible sun protection while making treatment decisions on an individual basis.

Does Everyone With Psoriasis Need Phototherapy?

No.

Phototherapy is one recognised treatment option, but it is not appropriate or necessary for everyone.

Many people successfully manage psoriasis using other recognised approaches, depending on:

• symptom severity
• the areas of skin affected
• previous treatment response
• individual preferences
• overall health

For scalp psoriasis, management may include medicated shampoos, topical treatments and other therapies before phototherapy is considered.

Treatment pathways are usually individualised rather than following a single fixed sequence.

Understanding this can help reduce the misconception that phototherapy represents a "stronger" or "better" treatment than every other option.

Instead, it is one recognised part of a broader management pathway that may be appropriate in certain situations.

Myth vs Fact

Frequently Asked Questions

Can sunbeds cure psoriasis?

No. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterised by periods of flare-ups and remission. Commercial sunbeds are not considered a cure and are not routinely recommended as a psoriasis treatment.

Why does my psoriasis sometimes improve after being in the sun?

Some people notice improvement following natural sunlight because ultraviolet light may influence inflammatory processes involved in psoriasis. However, responses vary considerably between individuals, and excessive sun exposure carries recognised health risks.

Is phototherapy safer than using a tanning bed?

Medical phototherapy is delivered under healthcare supervision using carefully selected wavelengths and controlled treatment schedules. Commercial tanning beds are designed for cosmetic tanning rather than treating inflammatory skin conditions.

Is narrowband UVB the same as UVA?

No. Narrowband UVB is a specific part of the UVB spectrum commonly used in recognised psoriasis phototherapy. UVA and UVB affect the skin differently and are used for different purposes.

Can scalp psoriasis be treated with phototherapy?

In some circumstances, healthcare professionals may recommend phototherapy as part of psoriasis management. However, treatment depends on the individual, the areas affected and previous response to other therapies. Many people with scalp psoriasis are managed using topical treatments, medicated shampoos and other recognised approaches before phototherapy is considered.

Key Takeaways

• Some people associate UV light with psoriasis improvement because symptoms may improve after natural sunlight or medically supervised phototherapy.
• Commercial sunbeds and medical phototherapy are fundamentally different.
• Medical phototherapy uses carefully controlled ultraviolet wavelengths, commonly narrowband UVB, delivered under healthcare supervision.
• Commercial tanning beds are designed for cosmetic tanning rather than treating psoriasis.
• More ultraviolet exposure does not necessarily result in better psoriasis control.
• Commercial sunbeds carry recognised risks, including cumulative skin damage and increased skin cancer risk.
• Phototherapy is one recognised treatment option within broader psoriasis management pathways and is not appropriate for everyone.