To Tan or Not to Tan?
Many women desire a bronze glow year round, but especially during the summer months when sporting new summer clothes and suits. But is it safe to acquire a tan and if so, what is the best way? Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the U.S. now with more than one million being diagnosed each year. Almost 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers are related to exposure to UV rays from the sun. The risk for a person developing melanoma doubles if they have had five or more sunburns at any age.
But what about tanning, is that any better for us? By getting a tan at a salon, will it help to protect our skin when we are actually out in the sun? According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, tanning lamps that emit ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been proven to be a carcinogen and the tanning lamps can put of as much as 12 times the amount of UVR as the sun. They also report that over 70% of the people using tanning salons are girls and women ages 16-29 and that exposure to tanning before you are 35 can increase your risk of melanoma by 75%.
So what can we do to protect our skin, but yet get that healthy glow? It is recommended that we use a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher and apply it to your skin at least 30 minutes before going outside. You should also reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you are in the water or sweating a lot. Get in the shad as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the rays are the strongest. The sunless tanning lotions and sprays seem to be safer than tanning beds and sun exposure, but be sure to read the bottles carefully, get one with an SPF of 15 and reapply sunscreen while out in the sun. It should have the active ingredient DHA to be a real sunless tanner, and if not it could be bad for your skin.
You can also wear light weight clothing that covers your skin, including a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. When looking for protective clothing a tighter woven fabric in a darker color offers more protection than a white cotton lightweight fabric. There are many companies who are now making sun protective clothing in stylish designs to wear with your swim wear or during athletics.
Yes, a tan can look very appealing in the summer time, but we all need to be aware of what we are doing to our skin and what it will mean down the road. Be sure to check yourself for suspicious spots every month and see your doctor if you see anything that is out of the ordinary for your or has changed in color, size or shape.
