The Dangers of Tanning

Bathing suit season is upon us again, and although that sun-kissed look is hard to resist, one has to remember that there is no such thing as a safe tan. It is therefore important to continually remind oneself that too many years of sunbathing can result in premature wrinkling of the skin, brown spots, and skin cancer.

A tan itself is really nothing more than skin damage. When you are out and about in the sun, you are exposing yourself to ultraviolet radiation, or UVA rays. When this happens, cells in the body called malanocytes are stimulated to produce melanin, or the brown pigment that causes the skin to tan. Continuous tanning means more melanin will be produced to act as a defense from the sun. Darker-skinned people have more melanin in their bodies to begin with, and are therefore not as susceptible to skin damage, as opposed to fairer-skinned people.

Six skin types have been identified by dermatologists. Type I is the fairest skin that always burns, and the other end of the skin spectrum, Type VI, is the deeply pigmented skin that basically never burns. It would therefore follow that those with Type I and II skin types should always avoid long periods of sunbathing and be sure to use a sunblock with a high SPF. Those with Type V and VI skin types are definitely at less risk while in the sun, but this does not mean sunblock should be neglected.

While tanning beds have remained a popular way of getting that golden look for some time, they actually emit more UVA rays in a shorter period of time than the sun does. (Think about it: the sun is millions of miles away while tanning beds...are not.) Tanning beds have also been known to cause eyesight and immune system damage. These beds can also be harbors for bacteria if they are not properly sanitized.

Tanning pills, which are not approved by the FDA, are another unsafe way of achieving a tan. While they claim to give you the perfect tan for no work in the sun, they may leave fatty deposits in the blood, liver, skin, and on the eye's retina! Tanning pills can also damage one's vision, can cause an itching condition known as urticaria, and can cause nausea, headaches, and vomiting. The chemicals in these pills that cause the skin to darken also makes other things darken as well, like urine, whites of the eyes, palms, and ankles. They cannot even be marketed unless labeled "supplements". Tanning pills are NOT a safe alternative to sun exposure.

Let's now discuss ways to protect yourself from the sun. There is a big difference, for example, between sunscreen and sunblock. For those looking to tan but not burn, there is sunscreen. Sunscreen contains chemicals that block UVB rays, which cause all the burning and redness. However, sunscreen does not protect against the more dangerous UVA rays, which causes the deeper, more lasting skin damage. So while sunscreen prevents the skin from burning, it does not protect you from getting skin cancer later on.

Sunblock is the stuff that prevents UVA rays from getting to the skin. Inorganic compounds like titanium oxide in the sunblock will completely block sunlight. For true protection against the sun, it is probably best to go with sunblock. It is also important to note that lotions labeled as "broad spectrum" means it protects against UVA and UVB rays.

There is also a common misconception concerning "SPF" in sunblocks. SPFs are not a measure of how strong a particular sunblock is, rather SPF ratings measure "How much longer you can stay in the sun with burning as compared to how long it would take you to burn without product". For example, if it takes you 20 minutes to burn from sun exposure, an SPF 2 will protect you for 40 minutes. Therefore the bigger the SPF number, the longer you can be in the sun without burning.

The suggested amount of sunblock to use on the body is a heaped tablespoon amount for each limb as well as the face. Wearing sunglasses and covering up on the beach are also recommended. Sunglasses are important, especially compared to how much reflective surface is around you. When at the beach, both the water and the sand are reflective surfaces, so even if you are sitting under a big umbrella, you will still be hit by UV rays. Since the eyes are especially vulnerable to UV damage, which contributes to many eye problems, it is of the utmost importance to always wear sunglasses, especially on the beach. Make sure your sunglasses are 100% UV ray protected. You also will not develop unsightly squints and wrinkles if you are good about wearing your sunglasses.

It is also important to wear clothes with closely woven material, and to wear a hat. White cotton t-shirts, for example, are not going to be much protection, and there are plenty of skin cancer cases on the scalp, so it is important to know that your hair is not enough protection. The best time to go to the beach is before 11am or after 3pm, when the sun is not at its strongest.

While none of this sounds as glamorous as having a sun-kissed glow, one should remember that skin cancer is not a cancer for those in their 40s and 50s anymore. People as young as 20 years old are being diagnosed with skin cancer. Although skin cancer is the #1 most preventable cancer, it is also the most common. Do what is necessary to protect yourself.