How Long After Taking Doxycycline Can You Start Tanning Again?

Quick Answer

Doxycycline is associated with photosensitivity (i.e., sun sensitivity) reactions, and taking the antibiotic can make you more suspectable to sunburns and other skin reactions, even after only being exposed to the sun (or a tanning bed) for a short period of time.

If you are taking doxycycline, you must be cautious about your exposure to UV light, especially UVA. Most studies suggest that if you do experience a photosensitive reaction to doxycycline, discontinuing the drug usually alleviates symptoms within 1 to 2 days.

Similarly, the risk of a reaction significantly decreases after you have been off the drug for 1 to 2 days, as much of the drug will be metabolized and eliminated from your system at that point.

So, to answer your question directly, you should give it at least 1 to 2 days after your last dose of doxycycline to go tanning to ensure your risk of a skin reaction is low.

I go over this more in the next sections, but to be really safe, you should wait 4 to 5 days after your last dose as that is the timeframe for the drug to be completely eliminated from your system.

Detailed Answer

Why Do Reactions to Sunlight Occur on Doxycycline?

Reactions to sunlight occur on doxycycline due to its photosensitizing properties.

When exposed to direct sunlight or UV light, the drug can trigger a photosensitivity reaction. It is believed that doxycycline absorbs UV light and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage skin cells and cause inflammation. This toxic reaction is not an allergic response but a direct effect of the drug on the skin.

While UVA (320–400 nm) is most frequently associated with phototoxicity, UVB (290–320 nm) and visible light (400–760 nm) can also contribute to the development of photosensitivity reactions caused by tetracycline antibiotics (such as doxycycline).

You mentioned tanning in your question so it's important to note that tanning beds primarily use UVA (ultraviolet A) light. If you are tanning in the sunlight, that is more of a mixture of UVA and UVB light.

When Can You Go In The Sun/Go Tanning Again After Doxycycline Therapy?

After completing a course of doxycycline, it is generally recommended to avoid direct sunlight or UV light for a period of time to prevent photosensitivity reactions. At the very least, proper protective clothing should be utilized if you do go in the sun while you are still taking the drug.

The duration of how long to stay out of the sun can vary among individuals, but it is advisable to wait until the drug is mostly cleared from the body, which typically takes a few days.

However, it's important to note that the exact time frame may depend on factors such as the dosage and duration of doxycycline treatment, individual sensitivity, and other personal characteristics, such as skin type, pigmentation, thickness of the outer skin layer, and immune status.

To get a little more technical, doxycycline has a half-life of approximately 18-22 hours, which means that after 18-22 hours, about half of the initial dose of the drug will have been metabolized and eliminated from your body.

Generally, it takes around 4-5 half-lives for a drug to be almost entirely eliminated. In the case of doxycycline with an 18-22-hour half-life, it would take around 3-5 days for the drug to be mostly eliminated from your body.

So, while studies state that the risk of a sun reaction due to doxycycline use is drastically reduced after being off the drug for 1 to 2 days, to be especially safe, you may want to wait for 4-5 days to ensure that essentially all of the drug is no longer in your system.

Final Words

It is essential to be cautious and protect your skin during doxycycline treatment and for a period after discontinuation.

Sunscreens may offer limited protection, but protective clothing is generally a better option.

If you are on the medication and experience symptoms such as skin erythema (redness), rashes, or onycholysis (a condition characterized by the separation of the nail from the nail bed), it is advisable to seek medical advice.

Thanks for reaching out and I hope you found this helpful!