Tanning and eczema

Maintaining a flawless tan while having eczema is freakin hard. Having had eczema since a baby, I have learnt to deal with it and keep it pretty under control. Before seeing a dermatologist in my teens I was covered in rashes from from the neck down. If you have had eczema long term or had a child with eczema, you can understand the pain and embarrassment it can cause, the constant battle to avoid irritants and keep the skin hydrated. Now days, I have it pretty under control with strong steriod ointments, a skincare routine of thick emollients and avoiding certain foods. Alcohol always gets me scratching though, but thats not one Im willing to give up yet!

When it comes to tanning, well you know Im kind of obssessed. But with any dry skin, rough patches, rashes and scarring, it can make the tan grab and go a bit patchy. However... all hope is not lost. There are still things you can do to. 

1. Get a patch test - if your really sensitive and react to alot of products ( especially tanning products) ask your tan tech for a patch test a few days before your tan. Most are happy to do this for free. You can also ask about the ingredients if you have a known reaction to certain irritants like fragrances. Certain brands I have had a major reaction to and others Im fine with. I don't seem to react to Body Glow - probably because its 96% natural ingredients and why I love the solution so much. 

2. Stick to your prescribed creams - on the lead up to your tan, you want to get your skin in top shape. This may mean using any prescribed steroid creams multiple days in a row and sticking to your skincare routine that works best for you. Im a sucker for getting lazy and not doing it. Obviously avoiding known irritants aswell but we all know that! 

3. Fresh rashes and irritation should not be tanned over. You can always ask your tan tech to avoid certain areas or put your ointment over it to act as a barrier. Dry patches can be covered with our barrier cream or Vasaline to avoid the tan 'grabbing' and looking darker on the dry areas. 

3. Hydrate like crazy - this means drinking loads of water and putting on moisturisers twice a day after your tan. DHA (the active ingredient in all tanning products) does have a slight drying effect on the skin. Fortunately Body Glow solution is full of skin nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, macadamia nut oil and avocado oil to help counteract this effect. But you still need to moisturise as much as possible for 5-10 days to keep your tan looking good. 

Everyones body is different and eczema severity varies from person to person. We all have different irritants. Some people cannot fake tan at all while others with eczema can. You know your body best and if you have any concerns, ask your doctor.