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Psoriasis [PLEASE READ FIRST POST!]

Started by mistybear4 · · 👁 48 views · 2.3K replies

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Participants mistybear4rustymoose54nimbledriver81Kenneth Hernandez67Hannah Davis18Nicole JamesJeremy Flores10Matthew Scott2Casey Palmer5dustybison15Amy Fox97Anthony Rodriguez58Frank Alvarez8northernfalcon30Jerry Moore2electrictinker18wanderingowl7mistyhound2Tyler Sanchez3amberjackal14swiftsailor82casualnomad42Henry Newman9Zachary Ortiz …
nimbledriver81 nimbledriver81 Active Member
96 messages
joined Aug 2007
#341 ·
Gerald Miller32 said:I always seem to forget to ask this—does anyone here have any actual experience with tanning beds?


Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't even bother attempting it—mostly because they’d probably kick you out on the spot! It's just one of those things where some people simply can't wrap their heads around the fact that psoriasis isn't something you can catch from someone else. 🙄
Gerald Miller32 Gerald Miller32 Newcomer
8 messages
joined Dec 2006
#342 ·
nimbledriver81, greetings.
I was simply wondering if anyone here has committed to a long-term tanning bed routine—specifically, whether any tangible improvements actually manifest from it.

As for my own experience, I’ve popped in twice locally just out of pure curiosity—back before this whole situation became such a massive ordeal—and it isn't nearly as bad as people claim; they don't act like it's some taboo subject, and they seem to understand the context...

It's much like going to a hair stylist—the only exhausting part is the constant chatter. Everyone wants to know everything (as if they haven't heard about every single thing I've already tried, though they insist on offering help as if I haven't cycled through a million solutions already, but fine)... they are generally quite decent people.

Now, this Friday, I'm heading down to California to let the local fishers take their shot at me (though, does anyone actually know if that helps?) and they’re suggesting I hit the tanning salon on the way.

Best,
nimbledriver81 nimbledriver81 Active Member
96 messages
joined Aug 2007
#343 ·
Gerald Miller32 said:So, this coming Friday, I’m heading down to California—mostly to let those little fishies nibble away at my skin (does anyone actually know if that works? I'm skeptical!)—and they’re also trying to upsell me on a tanning bed session while I'm at it.

Best regards,


I wouldn't go so far as to say it'll actually help you, but hey, if you're convinced it will... who am I to crush your spirit?
Adam Wells43 Adam Wells43 Member
12 messages
joined Nov 2009
#344 ·
I’ve been battling psoriasis for 20 years now—literally two decades of this nightmare. I’ve done about ten different treatment stints at clinics up in Brooklyn, but here’s the kicker: every single time I finish a course, the whole thing just comes roaring back. I actually skipped my treatment this year, and man, it really bit me in the ass because now it’s spread so much it’s basically covered my entire body. I’ve tried pretty much every medication mentioned in this thread, but honestly? It was all just temporary relief. Lately, I’ve been experimenting on one patch of skin using zinc ointment—I keep it under an occlusive bandage for about ten hours, then wash it off and slap on some regular moisturizer. I have to admit, it’s actually working... but the massive headache is that you can't even get a prescription for that specific ointment.
Chris Morgan67 Chris Morgan67 Member
49 messages
joined Jul 2007
#345 ·
nimbledriver81 said:
To be honest, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't risk it; you might get kicked out. Some people just can't wrap their heads around the fact that psoriasis isn't contagious. 🙄

And why would anyone even know I have psoriasis? It’s not like I’m stripping down while someone's in the locker room with me...🤣

I go to a tanning salon once a month. Doctors don't exactly recommend it, but it works for me...
nimbledriver81 nimbledriver81 Active Member
96 messages
joined Aug 2007
#346 ·
Chris Morgan67 said:why on earth would anyone even know I have psoriasis? It’s not like I’m stripping down while someone's in the shower stall with me🤣

I mean—should I go hit up a tanning salon once a month? Even if doctors say it's a bad idea, it honestly works wonders for my skin.


Gerald Miller32 mentioned that his psoriasis has spread across his entire body—which, let's be honest, isn't exactly easy to hide. Please don't take this the wrong way, but my sister has dealt with psoriasis her whole life, so I truly understand the struggle—everything from botched treatments to those awkward, judgmental stares you get in public... 😠
Adam Wells43 Adam Wells43 Member
12 messages
joined Nov 2009
#347 ·
Guys, I need some real talk here—has anyone actually messed around with UVA rays in a tanning bed? I’m trying to figure out the actual deal between UVB and UVA because I’m seriously thinking about picking up a tanning bed for my place.
nimbledriver81 nimbledriver81 Active Member
96 messages
joined Aug 2007
#348 ·
Adam Wells43 said:Hey everyone, I could really use some insight here—has anyone actually used UVA tanning beds? Also, what’s the actual deal with the difference between UVB and UVA rays? I'm thinking about picking up a tanning unit for my place at home.


If I were in your shoes, I’d probably suggest checking out the threads over on Brooklyn to see exactly which bulbs—you know, the specific wavelengths—they’re running there.
Lawrence Ramirez3 Lawrence Ramirez3 Newcomer
1 message
joined Oct 2009
#349 ·
If you're looking into tanning beds, you really ought to talk to a dermatologist first. From what I understand, treating psoriasis requires specific UVB rays. There’s actually a thing called "medical-grade quartz" used in clinics for that. My doctor mentioned those rays are way more concentrated and penetrate much deeper into the skin and tissue than the cheap, standard beds you see everywhere now. Those common ones mostly just hit the surface. Good luck to anyone trying to tan, though.
Timothy Jackson6 Timothy Jackson6 Member
16 messages
joined Feb 2008
#350 ·
Bottom line is, you gotta go with UVB lamps.
Gerald Miller32 Gerald Miller32 Newcomer
8 messages
joined Dec 2006
#351 ·
Generally speaking, PUVA isn't recommended due to the radiation risks—what you’re buying likely isn't PUVA, but rather something related to UVA...

Most people agree that UVB is what actually helps with psoriasis (though specialized clinics for this aren't exactly everywhere—maybe ten of them in the whole US, if I recall correctly).

I’ve been to Naftalan twice for UVB treatments. The first time—during the summer—it worked wonders, though it's hard to say whether it was the sun, the radiation, or those petroleum baths that did the trick...

The second trip back to Naftalan was somewhat less effective, but I suppose I wasn't entirely dissatisfied.

If you're looking to purchase something, it wouldn't be a bad idea to consult a specialist—a dermatologist, specifically.

Early tomorrow morning, I’m heading out to California for some seafood—day 21.
The folks I'm staying with there are insisting that I hit the tanning beds as much as possible...

I won't have my laptop for the first ten days; I should be back online around New Year's Day.

They say hope dies last...

I have very high expectations for this seafood—hoping for nothing short of miracles.😉

Best regards. Let's keep digging—we're stronger together, or at least, it makes things a little easier...
placidpanther12 placidpanther12 Member
11 messages
joined Sep 2006
#352 ·
Let me know how things went with those goldfish.
Back in the day—one year specifically—I actually tried using a tanning bed, and while I suppose it "worked" in a sense, I personally wasn't a fan. I ended up looking way too dark all at once, and then—to make matters worse—those white patches from my psoriasis became even more obvious against the tan.
Lawrence Ramirez3 Lawrence Ramirez3 Newcomer
1 message
joined Oct 2009
#353 ·
Good luck with those little fish too, though I doubt I can be much help. Based on what everyone else says, those things aren't all they're cracked up to be. The fact that they’re pushing tanning beds and stuff just tells you everything you need to know.
Casey Miller9 Casey Miller9 Member
44 messages
joined Jan 2008
#354 ·
Just joined the group—it’s honestly great hearing everyone’s take on this stuff. We’re still waiting on some test results for my ten-year-old, so I figured I’d jump in here. Basically, over the summer, my kid started getting these patches on his elbows that looked sort of like ringworm. A few months later, the skin started peeling off, and that's when the doctor finally ordered some labs. Our first dermatologist was pretty dismissive, saying it didn't look like psoriasis at all and just gave us some hydrocortisone cream. That cleared it up for about ten days before we went back for a follow-up. This second derm isn't quite as sure—she mentioned it *could* be psoriasis, but she’s not certain, so she just suggested sticking to basic, unscented moisturizers for now. It looks like it's getting a bit red again today... any thoughts?🙏
Lawrence Ramirez3 Lawrence Ramirez3 Newcomer
1 message
joined Oct 2009
#355 ·
We're all just guessing here, honestly. Best bet is to stick with the dermatologists. At this stage, the symptoms probably aren't clear enough for them to pin down an exact diagnosis yet. Just gotta be patient and keep working with them. Whatever you do, don't go throwing random creams or ointments at a little kid without asking first. Wishing you guys the best.
Zachary Hall8 Zachary Hall8 Newcomer
1 message
joined Dec 2006
#356 ·
Melissa Hill95 said:
Max mentioned his psoriasis has spread across his entire body now—and honestly, that’s not something you can just brush under the rug. Please don't take this the wrong way, but my sister has lived with psoriasis her whole life, so I've seen firsthand everything she's had to deal with—from treatments that just didn't work to those awkward, judgmental stares from strangers... 😠

Oh, and man, I still remember being in high school and seeing people act all weird and distant, almost like they thought I had some kind of contagious disease 😲
Adam Wells43 Adam Wells43 Member
12 messages
joined Nov 2009
#357 ·
I’ve finally pulled the trigger and decided to just go ahead and buy a UVA tanning bed, mostly because finding one with actual UVB rays around here is basically impossible—not to mention they cost an absolute fortune. I figure I'll give it a shot; if it works, great, and if it doesn't... well, at least I won't be sitting around kicking myself wondering "what if." Because of my job, there's no way I can just head out to the beach to soak up some sun whenever I need to—even though that's always been my go-to fix in the past—so I'm stuck with this indoor option. Up until now, I’ve always relied on PUVA therapy paired with those Melanin pills, but honestly, those tablets have been hitting me pretty hard lately, so switching things up is probably for the best.
Casey Miller9 Casey Miller9 Member
44 messages
joined Jan 2008
#358 ·
Che Guevara said:I’ve pretty much decided I’m just gonna go for a UVA tanning bed. Finding one with UVB is basically impossible here in the States, and even if you could, they're insanely overpriced. I figure I'll give it a shot—if it works, great, and if it doesn't, at least I won't be sitting around wondering "what if." My job makes it impossible for me to just hit up a beach in Malibu to soak up some rays, even though that always did the trick for me in the past, so I guess this is my only real option. I used to do PUVA therapy along with Melatonin pills, but I can't really handle those tablets anymore, so that's off the table.

So, where can someone actually find UVA and UVB lamps around the US, regardless of how much they cost?
Adam Wells43 Adam Wells43 Member
12 messages
joined Nov 2009
#359 ·
You can usually find UV lamps at some of the bigger big-box retailers—places like Target or Best Buy—and honestly, the price just depends on how massive the lamp is, starting from maybe $200 and going way up from there. I actually got lucky once and scored a tanning bed on Craigslist; it was about 5'3" with 8 bulbs, slightly used, for only $167. Normally, if you were buying one of those brand new, you’d be looking at dropping like 4 or 5 thousand bucks easily.
Lawrence Ramirez3 Lawrence Ramirez3 Newcomer
1 message
joined Oct 2009
#360 ·
Does that lamp actually do anything for you, or is the whole quartz UV thing just a gimmick?

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