How to Tan Safely
Is Safe Tanning Possible?
Yes, but NOT with exposure to either the sun or tanning beds.
The painful sunburn you got at the tanning salon doesn't seem to hurt that badly now. Did you know that in 20-30 years that exposure to ultraviolet rays in the tanning bed could lead to skin blemishes, cataracts, and an impaired immune system? It could also result in premature aging (photoaging), causing your skin to become wrinkled, thicker, and leather-like. You want to look good, but avoiding UV radiation will reduce wrinkles as you age. Many people think that these skin changes are the result of becoming older, and they do not realize that with proper care, your skin can look healthy and relatively youthful as you get older. The most dangerous aspect of ultraviolet tanning is an increased risk for several kinds of skin cancer. The most serious type of skin cancer, Melanoma, can metastasize and often be fatal. Other types of skin cancers are usually not fatal but can cause skin lesions and require surgery. There is no such thing as a safe suntan using ultraviolet radiation.
What Groups are At Risk from Suntans?
Certain individuals have a greater risk of damage from sun or UV light exposure, such as from tanning beds. According to the Food and Drug Administration, if you have light skin; red, blonde, or light brown hair; or green, blue, or gray eyes, you could be at increased risk of skin cancer and need to be particularly careful. If you are unusually susceptible to burning or have freckles on your skin, are outdoors a lot or have had prior instances of skin cancer, you may be in a higher risk group.
If any member of your family has had skin cancer, particularly melanoma, you are at increased risk. Those who work inside but try to get their suntan on weekends, or are using medications such as antihistamines, acne medicines, or tranquilizers are at increased risk.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
The best way is to avoid excessive exposure to UV radiation. If you want a tanned look safely, you should use a paraben free sunless tanning lotion.
There are many things you can do to protect yourself from the harmful ultraviolet rays. You should avoid direct sunlight from 10 am to 3 pm when solar radiation is strongest. Wear protective clothing such as a hat and sunglasses that filter out UV light. Always wear a sun protection cream with an SPF of at least 30. Be sure it is waterproof. Did you know that most UV light passes through clouds? They block only 20% of ultraviolet rays. UV radiation can also penetrate water. Sand, water and snow reflect UV rays, compounding the amount of solar radiation you receive.
Tanning Beds
Artificial suntans using tanning beds are also harmful. It was once commonly believed that tanning beds were safer than suntans because they use UVA radiation instead of UVB rays, which were considered the worst kind of UV rays. Scientists now report that the UVA radiation used in tanning beds is just as dangerous as natural sunlight. UVA radiation has been proven to cause melanoma.
Tan Sprays and Tan Towels
Bronzers and extenders such as tan sprays and tanning towels are safe and give you a temporary tan. They stain the skin and can be washed off with soap and water. The tan coloring, which will wear off after a few days, is harmless. You will still need to avoid the sun and wear your sunblock, of course.
Yes, but NOT with exposure to either the sun or tanning beds.
The painful sunburn you got at the tanning salon doesn't seem to hurt that badly now. Did you know that in 20-30 years that exposure to ultraviolet rays in the tanning bed could lead to skin blemishes, cataracts, and an impaired immune system? It could also result in premature aging (photoaging), causing your skin to become wrinkled, thicker, and leather-like. You want to look good, but avoiding UV radiation will reduce wrinkles as you age. Many people think that these skin changes are the result of becoming older, and they do not realize that with proper care, your skin can look healthy and relatively youthful as you get older. The most dangerous aspect of ultraviolet tanning is an increased risk for several kinds of skin cancer. The most serious type of skin cancer, Melanoma, can metastasize and often be fatal. Other types of skin cancers are usually not fatal but can cause skin lesions and require surgery. There is no such thing as a safe suntan using ultraviolet radiation.
What Groups are At Risk from Suntans?
Certain individuals have a greater risk of damage from sun or UV light exposure, such as from tanning beds. According to the Food and Drug Administration, if you have light skin; red, blonde, or light brown hair; or green, blue, or gray eyes, you could be at increased risk of skin cancer and need to be particularly careful. If you are unusually susceptible to burning or have freckles on your skin, are outdoors a lot or have had prior instances of skin cancer, you may be in a higher risk group.
If any member of your family has had skin cancer, particularly melanoma, you are at increased risk. Those who work inside but try to get their suntan on weekends, or are using medications such as antihistamines, acne medicines, or tranquilizers are at increased risk.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
The best way is to avoid excessive exposure to UV radiation. If you want a tanned look safely, you should use a paraben free sunless tanning lotion.
There are many things you can do to protect yourself from the harmful ultraviolet rays. You should avoid direct sunlight from 10 am to 3 pm when solar radiation is strongest. Wear protective clothing such as a hat and sunglasses that filter out UV light. Always wear a sun protection cream with an SPF of at least 30. Be sure it is waterproof. Did you know that most UV light passes through clouds? They block only 20% of ultraviolet rays. UV radiation can also penetrate water. Sand, water and snow reflect UV rays, compounding the amount of solar radiation you receive.
Tanning Beds
Artificial suntans using tanning beds are also harmful. It was once commonly believed that tanning beds were safer than suntans because they use UVA radiation instead of UVB rays, which were considered the worst kind of UV rays. Scientists now report that the UVA radiation used in tanning beds is just as dangerous as natural sunlight. UVA radiation has been proven to cause melanoma.
Tan Sprays and Tan Towels
Bronzers and extenders such as tan sprays and tanning towels are safe and give you a temporary tan. They stain the skin and can be washed off with soap and water. The tan coloring, which will wear off after a few days, is harmless. You will still need to avoid the sun and wear your sunblock, of course.
