Tanning
Tanning is a sign of skin damage caused by UV radiation, which significantly increases the risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
The Reality of Tanning
Tanning, whether outdoors or indoors with a tanning bed, is not healthy. It exposes you to harmful radiation and increases your risk for health problems such as melanoma and other skin cancers. While UV rays help the body produce vitamin D, most people only require 5 to 15 minutes of sun exposure two to three times a week to meet their needs.
How UV Rays Affect the Skin
There are two types of UV rays that reach the earth's surface and affect your skin: UVA and UVB. UVB rays are responsible for sunburns, while UVA rays travel more deeply into the skin. When exposed to UVA, the skin produces more melanin—the pigment that darkens the skin—as a defense mechanism. Consequently, a tan is essentially a sign of skin damage.
Health Risks of Tanning
Overexposure to UV rays can lead to several serious health conditions:
- Premature skin aging: Causes skin to become thickened, leathery, and wrinkled with dark spots due to a loss of elasticity.
- Skin cancers: UV light damages the DNA of skin cells and interferes with the body's ability to fight cancer.
- Actinic keratosis: Thick, scaly patches of skin that can eventually become cancerous.
- Eye damage: Including cataracts and photokeratitis (snow blindness).
- A weakened immune system: Increases sensitivity to sunlight, decreases vaccine effectiveness, and can cause reactions to certain medicines.
Protection Strategies
- Limit sun exposure: Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Remember that UV exposure still occurs on cloudy days or in the shade.
- Use sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher (SPF 30 or higher for light skin) 20–30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every 2 hours.
- Wear sunglasses: Use wrap-around styles that block both UVA and UVB rays.
- Wear a hat: A wide-brimmed hat made of tightly woven fabric provides the best protection.
- Wear protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, pants, and skirts made of tightly woven fabric are recommended.
Perform a skin check once a month and consult a health care provider if you notice new or changing spots or moles.
Indoor Tanning and Alternatives
Indoor tanning is not safer than sun tanning; it exposes users to higher concentrations of UVA rays. Furthermore, a "base tan" does not prevent sunburn. Regarding alternatives, tanning pills are dangerous and not FDA-approved. While sunless tanners (lotions, gels, and sprays containing DHA) are considered safe for external use by the FDA, they do not provide protection against UV rays and should be used carefully to avoid inhalation or contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth.