Tanning has been at the forefront of beauty issues for a long time.  Lisa Xing helps to demystify the subject.
Here are the facts of sun tanning.  Contrary to popular belief, there are good aspects and, of course, there are bad aspects of it.  Many people think more tanned skin looks good and healthy, while health practitioners and governments have been warning people about the hazards of it for the last few decades.  We all know that exposure to ultraviolet A and B radiation can cause sunburn, eye damage and skin cancer.  For those who have to get their dose of sun, either outdoors or under a lamp, what are the safest ways to do it?

The Best Defense

When it comes down to it, staying out of direct sunlight is the first and most effective defense.  Of course, this is virtually impossible, so the second best would be to use sunscreen.  SPF (sun protection factor) is the number that shows the effectiveness of a sunscreen.  As this number get higher, it’s supposed to give more defense against the effects of UV rays.

Preventative Measures

For people who do want to tan, though, there are certain preventative measures you can take.

• Make sure you wear a hat with a brim as well as sunglasses that protect against UV rays.  These two accessories are seemingly trivial, but can help a lot.

• Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen after going in the water.  Use a higher SPF (around SPF 30), to have the maximum protection.   An SPF higher than 30 usually does about the same as 30.  Also, remember to reapply sunscreen after you play sports or exert yourself unless you are using a sweat-proof brand.

• Sun rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Between these times, try to take breaks in the shade.

• Sun rays are stronger the higher you are, like on mountains and near the equator, so take extra care if you’re travelling to these areas.

• Check twice to ensure that your sunscreen is effective in blocking both UVA and UVB rays.  They’re usually called broad-spectrum sunscreens.

• Check a third time to make sure a sunscreen is hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic.  This means it’s safe for people with skin sensitivities and allergies.

• Make sure you’re applying enough sunscreen.  Sometimes a layer that is too thin won’t do much at all, so if that’s the case, switch to a higher SPF.

Tanning Lamps and Safety

Health Risks

Tanning lamps are a large part of the problem when it comes to sun-related health risks.  Burns are common and are caused by too much UV radiation exposure, especially to UVB rays.  While tanning in a bed, too much time under the lamps can also damage your eyes.  These conditions, known as photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis can lead to cataracts, which can ultimately lead to blindness.

There are also health risks that are likely to happen in the long run as well.  UV radiation exposure can make your skin age faster and increase the risk of the two lesser types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell skin cancer.  The more exposure you receive to UV radiation, the higher your risk of developing skin cancer, leading to the more severe case of malignant melanoma.

Minimizing These Risks

If you decide to follow through with using tanning beds, take these steps to minimize your risk of skin cancer and other health problems.

• Make sure you check out your history of sunburn.  People who have a history have a higher risk of encountering health problems.

• Talk to a health practitioner about your personal risk factors before you go under the lamp.  Certain medications and cosmetics can make your skin more sensitive to radiation. Also talk to the salon owner about these sensitivities, so they can recommend a good length of time for your tanning session and how often you should go in.

• Never go over your recommended time for each tanning session.

• Don’t go in for back-to-back tanning sessions.  Wait at least two days in between so your skin has time to repair itself from the UV radiation.

• Always wear eye safety goggles.

• Make sure there is something between you and the tanning lamp, like a sheet of acrylic.  This will help prevent heat burns from the lamp.

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more risk than benefit

The bottom line with tanning is that it poses more health risks than it does health benefits.  Tanning lamps are especially harmful, but if you must, use them minimally and only to maintain the colour of your tan.  Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that you’ll be better off with the least amount of UV radiation.


Sources:
Health Canada
BBC