I've heard a lot about how people with KP say tanning helps drastically reduce the appearance and (some) symptoms of KP. My KP is mainly on the back of my upper arms and the back of my thighs. Very red, very bumpy, and very annoying.

Could those of you who do tan and do notice a difference in your skin condition explain to me how often and for what lengths of time you go tanning?

I am intending on getting a tanning package soon, but as a first-time tanner with fair skin I don't want to burn myself out of lack of knowledge for tanning. Also I have heard a lot about the Eucerin lotions, but I know they contain AHA's. If you use Eucerin AND go tanning do you apply sunscreen while lying in the bed or not?

I don't tan because my skin is very sensitive and all I get after tanning is a lot of more redness on my body.

But I have also heard tanning do really help. You can notice that KP reduces during the summer (because of the sun exposure). But I think you'd better describe your skin in detail. Is it sensitive? Does it get irritated easily? Do you tan often? What are the results (what does your skin look like after sun exposure)?

Answers to these question will help to find the best possible sunscreens or other cosmetics that could minimalise the negative effects of UV for you.(generally, let's say it: tanned skin is a sign of damages made by sun).

Wish you everything good!

My skin is isn't too sensitive. When I am out in the sun I don't really burn but I don't really tan, almost as if I was never in the sun at all! Very odd, I know.

I have a few moles as well, but not as a result of tanning, just from my parents genes. A friend of mine said that I might want to go twice a week for five minutes for one month and check the results. I know tanning has many adverse side affects, one being CANCER, but even my dermatologist suggested it to me, that's why I am so confused.

Firstly, if there is a plenty of sunshine where you live, take advantage of it and go outside. Solarium is a worse choice.

You said your skin isn't that sensitive. It's good to read. It means you don't experience noticeable irritation.

I think you should start tanning 10-20 minutes everyday and look carefully how your skin responds. If there isn't anything bad happening you can carry on with longer sessions.

Definitely use sunscreens. I think 10 or even 20 will be a good choice (higher will totally make your skin unable to get tanned and lower may seem too dangerous). You should try Nivea. I think it is one of the best companies around.

Hope it will help.

I get KP on the backs of my arms and all over my legs. Now I'm a horserider so my legs are covered the majority of the time to ride so hardly get any sun! I find in the summer my KP basically goes away on the backs of my arms but always stays on my legs.

If you like skin cancer then go for it... but if you don't want that there are better options to clear your skin.... I don't believe it removes your KP in tanning beds only in the sun cause of the vitamin D... I would tan like 20-30mins for a few days and it got rid of most of it and left the rest brown over red, it looked like freckles... I stopped doing that I believe we have better options than tanning to clear KP..

I've just spent 2 weeks in Crete where I tanned everyday in the hope of clearing my skin. My KP was/is very severe - all over my body, badly. Dots AND bumps on my lower legs, thighs, upper arms, lower arms, upper back...bloody everywhere. But anyway, I tan easily and found that my skin was sooo much clearer after 2 weeks in the sun. It hadn't cleared up completely like I'd hoped but the dots on my legs which would get worse if I stood on the same spot for more than 5 seconds COMPLETELY went away which made me so happy.
I reckon with more time in the sun it would've gone away completely. My forearms seem to be the most stubborn.
And to everyone saying stay out of the sun, the sun is good for you in moderation. And you can still use factor 50 and tan well. I did anyway. But 30'll probably do.
Unfortunately, I'm unable to keep up my tan back in England because it's just constant rain!