Tanning
Most people these days believe that people that are tan are attractive. In fact, it seems to be a socially accepted norm that the darker you make yourself through tanning, the more healthy and beautiful you are. Many people spend hours tanning either in the sun or in a tanning booth to achieve their desired color. However, did you know that tanning has been associated with skin cancer and with premature signs of aging? Please read on to find out more about tanning, which skin types are most at risk for developing cancer, and what you can do to prevent this from happening to you.
What are the dangers of tanning?
UV radiation from the sun, tanning beds, or from sun lamps may cause skin cancer. While skin cancer has been associated with sunburn, moderate tanning may also produce the same effect. UV radiation can also have a damaging effect on the immune system and can cause premature aging of the skin, giving it a wrinkled, leathery appearance.
But isn't getting some sun good for your health?
People sometimes associate a suntan with good health and vitality. In fact, just a small amount of sunlight is needed for the body to manufacture vitamin D. It doesn't take much sunlight to make all the vitamin D you can use-certainly far less than it takes to get a suntan!
So are people actually being harmed by sunlight?
Yes. The number of skin cancer cases has been rising over the years, and experts say that this is due to increasing exposure to UV radiation from the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps. More than one million new skin cancer cases are likely to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year.
But aren't the types of skin cancer caused by the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps easily curable?
Not necessarily. Malignant melanoma, now with a suspected link to UVA exposure, is often fatal, if not detected early. The number of cases of melanoma is definitely rising in the U.S.
Why is it that some people can tan for many years and still not show damage?
People who choose to tan are greatly increasing their risk of developing skin cancer. This is especially true if tanning occurs over a period of years, because damage to the skin accumulates. Unlike skin cancer, premature aging of the skin will occur in everyone who is repeatedly exposed to the sun over a long time, although the damage may be less apparent and take longer to show up in people with darker skin.
Since most sun lamps and tanning beds emit UVA radiation, doesn't that make them safer than natural sunlight?
No. It's true that most sun lamps emit mainly UVA radiation, and that these so-called "tanning rays" are less likely to cause a sunburn than UVB radiation from sunlight. But, contrary to the claims of some tanning parlors, that doesn't make them safe. UVA rays have a suspected link to malignant melanoma, and, like UVB rays, they also may be linked to immune system damage.
What do medical professionals say about tanning?
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has warned people for many years about the dangers of tanning. In fact, the AMA and AAD have urged action that would ban the sale and use of tanning equipment for nonmedical uses.
What can I do to keep from getting skin cancer?
Doctors and public health officials have recommended the following steps to minimize the sun's damage to the skin and eyes.
- Plan your outdoor activities to avoid the sun's strongest rays. As a general rule, avoid the sun between 10am and 4pm.
- Wear protective covering such as broad-brimmed hats, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts to reduce exposure
- Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV ray protection
- Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or more, which will block both UVA and UVB when outdoors. Reapply it often.
What can I do if I think that some damage might already have been done?
Seek immediate medical attention if you receive skin or eye damage from the sun or if you experience an allergic reaction to the sun. Also, be sure to see your dermatologist if you develop an unusual mole, a scaly patch or a sore that doesn't heal.
This information was adapted from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)