Why Am I Getting White Spots When Tanning?

White spots from tanning are extremely common and in most cases completely fixable. If you are getting white or pale patches that are not tanning while the rest of your skin darkens, you are not alone — this is one of the most frequently searched frustrations among regular sunbed users in the UK. The most common cause is a common fungal skin condition called tinea versicolor (also known as pityriasis versicolor), which temporarily stops melanin developing in affected areas. But there are several possible causes, and the fix depends on which one applies to you.

The most common causes of white spots when tanning:

Tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor) — a common fungal condition that disrupts melanin in patches
Dry, unexfoliated skin — dead skin cells blocking even UV absorption
Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation — skin recovering from a previous burn or irritation
Vitiligo — a medical condition affecting melanocyte activity (requires GP assessment)
Pressure points — contact areas on flat sunbed surfaces receiving less UV penetration

Are white spots from tanning dangerous?

In the vast majority of cases, white spots from tanning are completely harmless and caused by common, entirely treatable conditions. They are not a sign of sun damage or skin cancer. Tinea versicolor and uneven skin texture are the two most frequent culprits — both benign, both fixable.

That said, there is an important exception. Any spot or patch that is changing shape, has irregular edges, is raised, bleeds, or looks notably different from others on your skin should be checked by a GP — this is standard advice for any skin change and applies regardless of tanning. Similarly, if an existing mole looks different after tanning sessions, see a GP promptly. This post is not a substitute for medical advice, and no blog is. If you are uncertain about anything you see on your skin, ask a professional.

If you are newer to sunbed use, the how to start using sunbeds guide covers how to build a safe, consistent routine from the beginning.

The most common causes of white spots when tanning

Here is a full breakdown of what may be causing white patches from tanning, why each one creates the spots, and what to do about it:

Cause	Why it creates white spots	What to do
Tinea versicolor(pityriasis versicolor)	A common fungal condition that disrupts melanin production in patches. Affected skin cannot tan, leaving pale or white areas as surrounding skin darkens. Warm, humid environments — including sunbed cabins — can encourage the condition.	An antifungal shampoo or cream from a pharmacy (the pharmacist can advise) applied to the affected area. Maintain consistent exfoliation and moisturising. Patches may remain paler than surrounding skin for several weeks after the fungus has cleared — this is normal.
Dry skin and uneven exfoliation	Thick layers of dead skin cells on dry patches — most common on elbows, knees, and ankles — prevent UV from reaching the melanocytes evenly. The tan develops on healthy skin but not on the dry, thick patches, creating paler areas.	Exfoliate fully before tanning sessions, paying close attention to dry areas. Moisturise daily. Use a sunbed-safe tanning accelerator to promote a more even melanin response across the skin surface.
Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation	After a sunburn or skin irritation, the affected area can temporarily stop producing melanin normally. The healed skin tans differently or not at all for weeks or months after the original event.	Allow the skin to fully heal before resuming tanning. Build back with short sessions. Do not attempt to force a tan on skin that has recently been burned or irritated.
Vitiligo	Vitiligo is a condition where the immune system affects melanocyte activity, stopping melanin production in patches. Unlike tinea versicolor, vitiligo patches do not respond to antifungal treatment. Tanning makes vitiligo more visible by contrast as surrounding skin darkens.	Vitiligo requires GP or dermatologist assessment. If you suspect this may apply, stop tanning and seek a medical opinion. A GP can confirm the diagnosis and discuss management options.
Pressure points(sunbed contact)	On flat lay-down sunbeds, bony contact points — shoulders, spine, tailbone — can restrict blood flow and UV penetration slightly, creating paler patches along the contact areas.	Reposition slightly during sessions. Stand-up sunbeds avoid this issue entirely. Using a tanning accelerator ensures skin is as receptive as possible even in lower-contact areas.

Tinea versicolor is the most likely cause if the spots are most visible when you are tanned, appear in a scattered or map-like pattern (often on the back, chest, or upper arms), and you have noticed them get more pronounced in warm weather or after sunbed sessions. The good news: it is very common, it is not contagious, and it responds well to over-the-counter treatment from a pharmacy. A pharmacist can advise on the right product.

Dry, unexfoliated skin causing white patches from tanning is the second most frequent cause — and the most preventable. It is almost always concentrated on elbows, knees, and the backs of the ankles, where dead skin accumulates fastest. If this matches your experience, a thorough exfoliation before your next session and daily moisturising will typically resolve it within a few sessions.

How to fix white spots from tanning: step by step

For the two most common causes — tinea versicolor and dry skin — this is the fix routine:

Pause tanning temporarily. Give the skin one to two weeks to respond to treatment before resuming sessions. Continuing to tan while the underlying cause is unresolved makes the contrast between tanned and untanned patches worse, not better.
If tinea versicolor is the likely cause, treat it with an antifungal shampoo or cream from a pharmacy. Ask the pharmacist to advise — they can recommend the appropriate product without a prescription. Apply to the affected area as directed. Do not use it for skin conditions without a pharmacist or GP recommendation.
Exfoliate fully before your first session back. A thorough body scrub with particular focus on any persistently dry areas removes the dead skin cell layer that has been blocking even UV absorption.
Moisturise every day without exception. Chronically dry skin is the most preventable contributor to uneven tanning. Well-hydrated skin tans more consistently and holds colour longer.
When you resume tanning, use a sunbed tan accelerator applied 30 minutes before each session to promote a more even melanin response across the skin surface as it recovers. A quality sunbed cream also maintains skin condition throughout the session — browse the tanning cream for sunbeds collection.
Be patient. Even once the underlying cause is resolved, the white patches may remain noticeably paler than surrounding skin for several weeks as melanin gradually normalises across the affected areas. This is expected — it does not mean the fix has not worked.

For fair-skinned readers who are more prone to uneven tanning generally, see best tanning products for fair skin UK for an approach tailored to lighter skin types.

How to prevent white spots from coming back

Exfoliation routine

Exfoliate at least once before every tanning session — not occasionally, consistently. A scrub or exfoliating mitt focused on the back, shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles clears the dead skin cell build-up that causes uneven UV absorption. Do this 24 hours before your first session of each tanning block, not immediately before — freshly exfoliated skin can be temporarily more sensitive to UV. See what to put on your skin before a sunbed session for the full pre-session routine.

Moisturising routine

Moisturise every day — not just after tanning sessions. Chronically dry skin is the single biggest preventable contributor to uneven tanning. Daily moisturising between sessions maintains the skin condition that enables even UV absorption. Apply a gradual self tanning cream or plain body moisturiser every day; and apply a moisturiser within two hours of every sunbed session — sunbeds are drying and what you apply immediately after a session significantly affects how the tan develops and holds.

Pre-session product routine

Apply a sunbed-safe tanning accelerator 30 minutes before every session. This promotes a more even melanin response across the skin surface and reduces the contrast between differently tanning areas. Browse the full sunbed tanning products range for everything you need for a consistent pre-session routine.

Do not use regular body lotion on a sunbed. Standard moisturisers are not sunbed-safe and can damage the acrylic surface, as well as not containing the active tanning ingredients that sunbed-specific creams provide.

On session frequency: overcrowding sessions does not help resolve white spots and can compound skin dryness. See how often should you use a sunbed for guidance on the right spacing by skin type. For maximising results from each session, see how to get a darker tan on a sunbed.

When to see a GP about white spots from tanning

Most white spots from tanning are harmless and respond to the steps above. However, see a GP if any of the following applies:

The spots are changing shape, size, or colour
Any spot has irregular edges, is raised, feels different in texture, or looks notably different from others on your skin
An existing mole looks different after tanning sessions
You have tried antifungal treatment and consistent exfoliation for four weeks with no improvement
The spots appear alongside other symptoms — itching, pain, changes in sensation, or spreading

A GP or pharmacist can diagnose tinea versicolor quickly and prescribe appropriate treatment if over-the-counter options have not worked. Do not rely on any blog — including this one — for a medical diagnosis. When in doubt, ask a professional.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I get white spots when I tan on a sunbed?

The most common cause is tinea versicolor — a common fungal condition that disrupts melanin production in patches, meaning affected skin cannot tan while surrounding skin darkens. Dry, unexfoliated skin causing uneven UV absorption is the second most frequent cause. Both are treatable and preventable with a consistent pre-sunbed skincare routine.

Will white spots from tanning go away?

In most cases yes — white spots caused by tinea versicolor or dry skin will resolve once the underlying cause is treated and a regular exfoliation and moisturising routine is maintained. The patches may remain paler than surrounding skin for several weeks even after the cause is fixed, as melanin gradually normalises. This is expected and does not mean the treatment has not worked.

Is tinea versicolor caused by sunbeds?

Sunbeds do not cause tinea versicolor, but they can make the effects visible — affected patches cannot tan, so surrounding skin darkens while the patches stay pale. The condition is caused by an overgrowth of a yeast that normally lives on the skin surface, not by UV exposure. Warm, humid environments can encourage it, which is why it may become more noticeable with regular sunbed use.

How do I get rid of white patches from tanning?

Pause tanning temporarily. If tinea versicolor is likely, treat with an antifungal product from a pharmacy as advised by the pharmacist. Exfoliate fully, moisturise daily, and when you resume tanning use a sunbed-safe accelerator to promote even melanin response. If there is no improvement after four to six weeks, or if the spots look unusual in any way, see a GP.

Can tanning make white spots worse?

Yes — continuing to tan when you have white spots makes the contrast worse, not better. Surrounding skin gets darker while affected patches cannot tan, making the pale areas more visible with each session. Pause tanning until the underlying cause is addressed for the best outcome.

Once the white spots are resolved, getting the most from your sessions comes down to a consistent routine — exfoliation, a quality sunbed-safe accelerator, and daily moisturising. Browse the 2 Damn Dark sunbed tanning products range for everything you need, and see how to get a darker tan on a sunbed for the full technique guide.