Doxycycline is a type of antibiotic. In fact, it belongs to the tetracycline class of antibiotics. It is administered to treat bacterial infections. Doctors prescribe it to prevent bacterial infections from spreading to other parts of the body.
Apart from treating bacterial infections, the drug can be used for other medical conditions. It comes in capsules, tablets, and liquid. As effective as Doxycycline is, it has a major drawback. It increases the body’s photosensitivity.
What does that mean? It means that the drug will make your body more sensitive to UV radiation. Yes, it could help you get a tan faster, but it can also accelerate sunburn and skin cancer. That’s why it is not advisable to spend some time under the sun or visit a tanning bed after taking this medication.
Get more information about Doxycycline and the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about the drug and its relationship with tanning.
What is Doxycycline?
As explained above, it is a drug administered mainly to treat all kinds of bacterial infections. It is a drug that belongs to the tetracycline class. Depending on your choice, you can have it in capsule, tablet, or liquid form.
The reason for discussing the drug is its photosensitivity properties. After taking the medication, you should avoid the sun and tanning beds. The drug increases the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays, which increases your chances of suffering either sunburn or skin cancer.
What Is Doxycycline Most Used For?
Although the drug is used to treat several medical conditions, it is mainly used for bacterial infections. Your doctor will prescribe a dosage for you based on your age and the severity of your infection. Adults are meant to take the drug in its capsule or tablet form, while children will take its liquid form.
Some people react to all antibiotics in general. If you’re one of them, you should not take Doxycycline for any reason.
Can I Go to a Tanning Bed on Doxycycline?
No, it is not advisable to go to a tanning bed after taking Doxycycline. The reason is simple. The drug boosts your skin’s sensitivity to UV radiation in a tanning bed. So, if you visit a tanning bed or spend some time in the sun while on the medication, it is likely to result in sunburn. At worst, it could lead to skin cancer.
Since the drug stays in the system for up to five days after taking it, you need to wait for at least five days after taking the last dosage before you can spend some time under the sun or go to a tanning bed. Although there are tips to reduce the chances of sunburn, it is better to stay away from tanning after even a single dosage of Doxycycline.
How Long Does Sun Sensitivity Last After Doxycycline?
This depends on two factors – the quantity of Doxycycline in the system and the body composition of the person that took the drug. Of course, it’s a no-brainer that the higher the quantity of the drug in your system, the longer its effects will last on your body.
In addition, the degree of photosensitivity that a particular quantity of the drug will activate varies for different people. The photosensitivity level will be higher in some people than in others. That being said, it is necessary to bear in mind that the drug generally stays in the system for up to five days after taking the last dosage.
The implication of that piece of fact is that you should always wait for at least five days after taking your last dose of the drug before you go tanning. In fact, some physicians prefer their patients wait for seven days to allow all the traces of the drug to be ejected from their systems before they head over to a tanning bed.
What Happens If You Tan While on Antibiotics?
Some antibiotics do not increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays, while others do. If you’re on antibiotics that don’t increase the body’s photosensitivity, nothing much will happen if you go tanning. On the other hand, if you take antibiotics that raise photosensitivity, like Doxycycline, you’re likely to end up with burns.
This is because your skin will react faster and deeper to UV radiation in a tanning bed or from the sun. It is smarter to assume that all antibiotics have the ability to increase your skin’s photosensitivity and stay away from tanning when you’re on any antibiotics.
You may not know the antibiotics that can shoot up your skin’s photosensitivity and the ones that won’t. You might as well talk to your doctor before you go on tanning if you’ve taken any antibiotics in the last few days.
Why Can’t I Use a Tanning Bed When Taking Doxycycline?
Because Doxycycline is an antibiotic that might induce photosensitivity, making the skin more vulnerable to UV rays from the sun or from tanning beds, you should refrain from using a tanning bed while taking Doxycycline. Skin redness, irritability, sunburn, and blistering might happen as a consequence of this enhanced sensitivity.
Doxycycline may also raise the risk of long-term skin damage, including early aging, wrinkles, and an increased risk of skin cancer, when combined with UV rays from tanning beds.
While using Doxycycline, it is advised to stay away from tanning booths and excessive sun exposure as well as to protect the skin by wearing protective clothes and using a high-SPF sunscreen. If exposure to the sun is unavoidable, it’s critical to set time limits and often reapply sunscreen.
While using Doxycycline or any other medicine, it is always crucial to speak with a healthcare provider before utilizing a tanning bed or any other kind of UV exposure. They may provide individualized guidance and recommendations based on each patient’s unique medical history and present health situation.
What Medications Should You Not Take When Using a Tanning Bed?
If you’re planning to visit a tanning bed soon, you need to avoid antibiotics generally.
- Antibiotics: Some antibiotics, such as Levofloxacin, Tetracycline, Trimethoprim, Doxycycline, and many more, might increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays by causing photosensitivity.
- Antidepressants: When paired with UV radiation, several antidepressants, including fluoxetine and sertraline, might raise the risk of sunburn and skin damage.
- Blood pressure medications: When paired with UV radiation, drugs for high blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers, might increase the risk of skin damage.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs): When mixed with UV radiation, NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, might increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage.
- Psoriasis medications: When taken with UV radiation, drugs for psoriasis, such as methotrexate and acitretin, may increase the risk of skin damage.
Does Doxycycline make your skin more sensitive to UV rays?
Yes, Doxycycline can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, which can increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage from exposure to UV light, including from tanning beds.
Can Doxycycline increase the risk of sunburn or skin damage from tanning beds?
Yes, Doxycycline can increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage from tanning beds due to its ability to make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.
How long should I wait after taking Doxycycline before using a tanning bed?
It is recommended to avoid using a tanning bed while taking Doxycycline. If you must use a tanning bed, you should wait at least 24 hours after taking the last dose of the drug before using the tanning bed.
Can taking Doxycycline affect the results of a tanning bed session?
Yes, taking Doxycycline can affect the results of a tanning bed session by making your skin more sensitive to UV rays, which can increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage.
What precautions should I take when using a tanning bed while on Doxycycline?
It is best to avoid using a tanning bed while on Doxycycline. If you must use a tanning bed, you should take precautions such as wearing protective clothing, using a high-SPF sunscreen, and limiting your exposure time.
Can Doxycycline interact with the UV rays from a tanning bed in any harmful way?
Yes, Doxycycline can interact with the UV rays from a tanning bed in a harmful way by making your skin more sensitive to UV rays, which can increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage.
Is it necessary to use sunscreen when using a tanning bed while on Doxycycline?
Yes, it is necessary to use a high-SPF sunscreen when using a tanning bed while on Doxycycline to help protect your skin from the increased sensitivity to UV rays caused by the drug.
Can Doxycycline have any long-term effects on skin health from exposure to UV rays from a tanning bed?
Yes, exposure to UV rays from a tanning bed while taking Doxycycline can have long-term effects on skin health, such as premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. It is best to avoid using a tanning bed while on Doxycycline.
Final Words
Just before you leave this page, here’s a quick reminder of the main points in this piece. Doxycycline is a drug used to combat bacterial infections, but it also increases the sensitivity of the skin to UV radiation. So, if you’re on Doxycycline, stay away from tanning beds and sunlight.
