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 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

Please, Kim Kardashian, Don't Try to Normalize Tanning Beds https://t.co/Cun0GqVJZU

— Allure (@Allure_magazine)

Please, Kim Kardashian, Don't Try to Normalize Tanning Beds https://t.co/Cun0GqVJZU

— Allure (@Allure_magazine) January 18, 2024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2024

Please, Kim Kardashian, Don't Try to Normalize Tanning Beds https://t.co/Cun0GqVJZU

— Allure (@Allure_magazine)

Please, Kim Kardashian, Don't Try to Normalize Tanning Beds https://t.co/Cun0GqVJZU

— Allure (@Allure_magazine) January 18, 2024

?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">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

• Justin Bieber

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  The "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

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  The '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

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  The 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

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  After 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

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  The '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

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  In 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

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  The '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

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  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

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  The 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

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  The "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

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  After 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

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  The "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

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  The 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."