Kim Kardashian Defends Her Use Of Tanning Beds
Kim Kardashian is defending her use of tanning beds in her SKKN office following backlash met by the mogul for promoting something that causes skin cancer. Just two days after…
Kim Kardashian arrives at the GQ Men of the Year Party 2023 at Bar Marmont on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for GQKim Kardashian is defending her use of tanning beds in her SKKN office following backlash met by the mogul for promoting something that causes skin cancer. Just two days after taking part in a viral TikTok trend, the reality star is responding to the critics -- something she doesn't normally do when faced with public outrage. Commenting on her TikTok office tour, one person wrote: "Are tanning beds safe again?????? I'm seeing them everywhere." Another user wrote, "Wait I'm shocked about the tanning bed." Someone else added, "She goes in a tanning bed?!??"
Allure magazine called out the mom of four on X (formerly known as Twitter). They wrote: "Please, Kim Kardashian, Don't Try to Normalize Tanning Beds." Seeing the magazine's post, Kim replied on the platform, chalking it up to her psoriasis. "And it really helps when it's bad. But I don't use it too often," she wrote. Although Kim said the treatment helps her skin condition, the National Psoriasis Foundation states they don't support the use of indoor tanning beds as proper phototherapy treatment. The organization states the "beneficial effect for psoriasis is attributed primarily to UVB light," which tanning beds don't emit. Commercial salons emit mostly UVA light, which penetrates more deeply into the skin and plays a greater role in premature skin aging and wrinkles.
Additionally, the National Psoriasis Foundation noted that the FDA, American Academy of Dermatology and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommend people avoid tanning beds regardless if they have psoriasis. "The ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds and sun lamps can damage the skin," the organization stated. Fifteen years ago, the World Health Organization classified sunbeds as "carcinogenic to humans." As for her red light bed, according to Healthline, red light therapy is a therapeutic technique that uses low level wavelengths of red light to help treat skin conditions, such as wrinkles and psoriasis. Though the treatment seems promising, more research is needed.
Despite Kardashian's controversial take on phototherapy with her office tanning beds, she has been candid about her psoriasis struggles over the years. In an essay written for Poosh in 2019, Kim revealed she "physically couldn't pick up my phone" when she woke up during the night. The next morning, she still couldn't pick it up or hold her toothbrush. "My hands hurt so badly," she revealed. Her doctor told her she "probably" has psoriatic arthritis, and hopes her story can "help anyone else with an autoimmune disease feel confident."
Celebrities Who Opened Up About Their Skin Conditions
When it comes to our skin's appearance, many factors are out of our control. Many people are struggling with issues pertaining to their skin. For some, certain skin conditions can be hidden away or managed. But for others, there is no hiding something on your face. Even the rich and famous deal with suffering from a skin condition. Sometimes, seeing a celebrity be open and offer a positive approach to dealing with skin issues may be helpful to those who are experiencing the same issues.
Types of Common Skin Conditions
Common skin conditions include acne, contact dermatitis (rash), atopic dermatitis (also called eczema), rosacea, warts and moles, hyperpigmentation, and psoriasis. Skin disorders such as acne and eczema vary greatly in symptoms and severity. Eczema is characterized by yellow or white scaly patches that flake off. Affected areas may be itchy, greasy, or oily, and hair loss may also occur in the area with the rash. Psoriasis, however, is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the rapid buildup of your skin cells. This buildup of cells causes scaling on your skin’s surface. Inflammation and redness around the scales are fairly common, and sometimes, these patches crack and bleed.
When it comes to the chronic skin disease rosacea, the skin goes through cycles of fading and relapse. Rosacea’s trademark symptom is small, red, pus-filled bumps on the skin that are present during flare-ups. Typically, rosacea affects only the skin on your nose, cheeks, and forehead. The cause of rosacea is still unknown, and there is no cure. Meanwhile, vitiligo is characterized by loss of pigment in the skin due to autoimmune destruction of the cells that give skin its color. These cells, called melanocytes, no longer produce skin pigment or melanin, causing areas of your skin to lose color or turn white.
Per Healthline, skin conditions can be temporary or permanent and painless or painful. Some can be life-threatening. Some skin disorders have situational causes, such as high stress, while others may be genetic.
Take a look below at which celebrities have opened up about their skin conditions and even become advocates.
Justin Bieber
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesThe "Peaches" singer has been outspoken about his adult acne onset breakouts for years, and has found ways to make light of it. Bieber previously pointed out his pimples for all to see on an Instagram story with the caption: "Pimples are in." In recent years, he's thanked his wife, Hailey, for helping him achieve clearer skin and hydrating his skin after using drying medication on his face.
Kerry Washington
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl LagerfeldThe 'Little Fires Everywhere' star has opened up about her "terrible eczema" and how she has been "in and out of dermatologists offices my whole life." In a 2014 interview with 'InStyle,' Washington shared how she managed to keep it in check. "I work with a nutritionist because, to me, beauty is an inside-out thing. I take fish-oil pills, drink lots of water, and try not to eat dairy. Those things have really helped my skin."
Kim Kardashian
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesThe reality star first spoke openly about her struggle with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a 2011 episode of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians.' Since then, Kim has posted on social media about trying out different remedies in an attempt to keep flare-ups at bay. She's tried everything from herbal ointments and seaweed skincare products to a low-acidity diet and detox smoothies. She went into even more detail in an essay for her sister Kourtney's Poosh site about the autoimmune condition, which she first experienced when she was 25. Kim wrote: "If you have psoriasis, you can't let it ruin your life or get the best of you. You have to do what you can to make sure you are comfortable but not let it take over."
Tia Mowry
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesAfter initially having her eczema misdiagnosed, the former 'Sister, Sister' star told 'People' in a 2021 interview that she wanted to share a message with other people with the condition, especially in the underdiagnosed African American community. Mowry was diagnosed with eczema when she was in her 20's but says her journey actually began when she was a child, seeing her mother — and later herself — suffer from it without knowing what the condition was. She said to those struggling with skin health like her, "You're not alone. There are many sufferers out there who are going through the same thing that you're going through… at the end of the day, that's what this is all about."
Cynthia Nixon
Arturo Holmes/Getty ImagesThe 'And Just Like That' star didn't know the cause of the facial redness she struggled with her whole life until when she was finally diagnosed with rosacea in adulthood. Nixon has since openly discussed the condition and offers help to others. She told the National Rosacea Society in 2012, "Rosacea might always be on your mind, but it doesn't have to be on your face." She advises, "If you think you might have rosacea, go see a dermatologist. Trust me—it'll be so much better.
Jada Pinkett Smith
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty ImagesIn December 2021, the actress said she approached her journey to accepting her alopecia in a light-hearted way. On Instagram, she showed a patch of scalp that she joked looked like she "had brain surgery," adding, "Now at this point, I can only laugh."
Jonathan Van Ness
Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for IMDbThe 'Queer Eye' star says self-care has been effective for his psoriasis flare-ups for 6 months. JVN wrote in an Instagram post: "One thing I've started is gratitude journaling bc of @ruthielindsey and I'm not a doctor but I think it's helped my stress levels & my skin is feeling it. But if I get a flare again she still works it so either way we cool."
Lili Reinhart
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for WIF (Women in Film)The 'Riverdale' star has spoken out about her experiences with her acne breakouts—and even used the topic as a way to connect with her fans. She once wrote on social media: "My breakouts don't define me. To anyone out there who feels embarrassed or ashamed by breakouts… I feel you. We have each other. So let's get through this acne experience together."
Winnie Harlow
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesThe Canadian model was diagnosed with vitiligo (a condition that causes skin to lose pigment) at age 4. She appeared on America's Next Top Model in 2014, and has since appeared in campaigns for fashion brands like Fendi, Marc Jacobs and Victoria's Secret. Harlow said about her desire to break barriers in fashion, "Growing up, I never saw anyone like me on TV, billboards or on the runways." Positive responses from people on social media fueled her to keep pursuing her dreams. "If doing this thing that's just fun for me is inspiring people, then it's a win-win."
LeAnn Rimes
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesThe "How Do I Live" singer embraced her skin—psoriasis and all—by posing nude for 'Glamour' in 2020 to show off her plaques. She wrote in her essay: "Will these photos change the way I live? Will I wear shorts out to the grocery store? I honestly don't know. But what I do know is that it's amazing how small we can keep ourselves. When you finally allow yourself to step outside of what you've been caging in, the whole world opens up."
Jessica Simpson
Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesAfter Simpson found an answer to her eczema with a prescription cream, she previously told 'People:' "I am always open. I'm open about my insecurities and my flaws, and if I can help inspire anybody to feel better about themselves, that's why I'm here. I'm always out to empower women, empower people to feel better about themselves."
Cyndi Lauper
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tribeca FestivalThe "True Colors" singer has long been on a mission to raise awareness of psoriasis to help people like her with the condition. She even launched a podcast called PsO in the Know specifically for the topic. She told the American Academy of Dermatology it's taught her to take time for herself, saying, "It's not a bad thing to take care of yourself," She added, "It's a busy, busy world we live in, but how long does it take to put on cream [moisturizer or medicine] or take a bath?"
Kendall Jenner
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/VogueThe model's struggles with acne have been well-documented, but she's learned not to let it get to her. After posting a #10yearchallenge photo showing how much progress she had made with her acne treatment, Jenner said, "One zit can really freak you out because you're like 'Oh no, are we going backwards again?' But I try not to think too deeply about it because I know it's going to be all good. I want everyone to know I'm okay, and you can be okay too."
