The significant health threat from sunbed use as a self treatment in patients with acne

Abstract

Patients with acne are increasingly using sunbeds as a self treatment despite the harmful effects. Little is known about sunbed use in adult patients with acne under dermatology care. This questionnaire study explored prevalence and behaviours surrounding sunbed use in patients with acne at a UK dermatology centre. Over a quarter (26%) of respondents used sunbeds and of these, 72% used them at least weekly. Respondents using sunbeds were more likely to be older, to be female, to have a longer duration of acne diagnosis and to have previously been offered blue-light therapy by their doctor (P < 0.05 for all) Reasons for use included recommendations from external sources (including the Internet), the perceived greater efficacy compared with physician-prescribed treatments and that light therapy was not offered by their doctor. Nearly half (49%) of respondents were taking isotretinoin at the time of sunbed use, which carries an increased risk for photosensitivity and sunburn in this cohort. Dermatologists have a responsibility to address this gap in public awareness by directly counselling patients at risk of sunbed use, particularly for those concomitantly prescribed oral retinoid therapy.