Don’t Get Burned by Indoor Tanning!

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in both women and men. More than 600,000 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year alone. When it is found early, most skin cancer is curable. However, many people (especially young adults) do not take the time to practice preventive measures against the ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause skin cancer.

A tan once symbolized a healthy person. People who possessed that “golden glow” were thought to be the picture of health. Sun worshipers could be found at the beach, the pool and in their backyards working on the perfect tan. Fortunately, that picture is finally starting to change. Unfortunately, it isn’t changing fast enough.

As people begin to understand that spending large amounts of time in the sun could be harmful, a “solution” to the sun’s dangerous rays has been developed. The indoor tanning bed seems to be the answer to every sun lover’s prayer. Indoor tanning is thought by many to protect a person from the damaging rays of the sun and tan their skin safely, without any side effects. We now know this information is FALSE!

Tanning indoors is just as dangerous as lying outside in the sun with no protection. There is no such thing as a safe or healthy tan!

Use the following information to keep yourself from getting burned by tanning indoors:

Beware of moles that seem asymmetric (one half doesn’t look like the other half), have irregular borders, change color or are bigger around than a pencil eraser. Any of these could be signs of skin cancer, especially if you have been tanning indoors or outdoors.

Uncles, aunts, siblings, parents and other blood relatives who have had skin cancer increase your chances of getting it too. Don’t risk tanning in a tanning bed (or in natural sunlight) especially if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer.

Remember that tanning in an indoor bed only multiplies the damage caused by spending time outside in the sun. In a tanning bed your skin remains cool to the touch. It does not get hot like it does when you’re outside. This increases the risk of over exposure.

Never tan in a tanning bed if you are taking certain medications. Antihistamines, birth control pills, cosmetics and soaps are just a few things that can cause discoloration of the skin and/or a rash when mixed with the ultraviolet light produced by tanning beds.

Every time you get a tan, you are hurting your skin. A tan is the result of damaged skin trying to protect itself from further injury. Skin that has been tanned is more likely to sag, wrinkle and feel rough. It is also less likely to heal as quickly as skin that is not tanned.

Devices that give off ultraviolet rays are harmful to your skin. There are safe alternatives to indoor and outdoor tanning. Bronzing powder and self tanning creams and sprays offer a golden glow without indoor tanning.

Skin Cancer Risk Factors

Chances are if you cannot get a tan outdoors, you will not be able to get one by using indoor tanning. It is important to know that even people with a darker complexion who tan easily are still targets for skin cancer and the other negative effects of ultraviolet rays. However, people who are at the greatest risk of skin cancer are those who:

• have red or blonde hair
• have blue or other light-colored eyes
• have a fair complexion that burns or freckles rather than tans

Brown Now—Blue Later

Tanning beds give off at least twice as much ultraviolet (UV) radiation as the sun does. The rays from tanning beds are long-wave (UVA) rays instead of short-wave (UVB) rays that you get from the sun. UVA rays do not burn your skin like UVB rays do, but they penetrate your skin deeper and cause more permanent damage. Using a tanning booth can also cause:

• premature wrinkles
• tough/dry skin
• age/sun spots
• cataracts and other eye problems
• skin discoloration
• a weakened immune system

For more information regarding the risks of indoor tanning and skin cancer, contact:

• American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345
• Cancer Information Services at 1-800-4-CANCER
• Texas Department of State Health Services at 1-800-345-86471
• Your County Extension Agent (locate here)

 

References:

• American Cancer Society (1991). Fry Now. Pay Later.
• American Cancer Society (1999). Nonmelanoma: Prevention and Risk Factors. http://www3.cancer.org/.
• Federal Trade Commission (1997). Indoor Tanning. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-health.htm
• MD Anderson Cancer Center (1999). Under Cover: Go Under Cover to Reduce Your Risk of Skin Cancer. University of Texas.