It’s summer.  You’re feeling pale and unattractive after sitting inside all winter and you want to get ready for long days by the pool or the beach.  You can’t just go to the beach pale, so you go get a “base tan” from a tanning booth.  The people who work there say that it’s even safer than the sun. So, what’s the harm?

There is a lot of harm actually.  A tan, whether from the sun or from artificial means, is visible proof that your skin has been damaged.  And this damage accumulates, accelerating the aging process and increasing your risk for skin cancer.

This is how it works: Your body has cells called melanocytes that produce a dark pigment called melanin when exposed to UV light.  The more UV radiation there is, the more melanin produced.  The result of melanin production is what we call a suntan.  But, since all people are different, the amount of melanin that their body is able to produce varies.  Paler skin has less melanin production, and therefore less protection, while darker skin has more.

There are two types of UV radiation: UVA and UVB.  UVB rays burn the upper layers of the skin while UVA rays go deeper to the underlying layers of skin and cause tanning.  Typically, it is thought that UVB rays are responsible for causing skin cancer and UVA rays are responsible for aging the skin, although research has linked UVA radiation to skin cancer as well.

So, what about the “safe” tanning bed that you have been considering?  Tanning beds use UV radiation, and radiation is radiation, whether it’s from the sun or from a tanning booth.  The reason they are sold as being safer than the sun is that they most often times use only UVA radiation.  This is supposed to be the type that is less likely to cause a sunburn, but they still aren’t safe.  UVA rays have suspected links to malignant melanoma and can be linked to immune system damage.    

In the end, both types of UV rays are damaging.  So, while you may look hot in that new suit this year, what are you going to look like in a few years?

To best protect your skin from harmful radiation, wear lots of sunscreen and protective clothing and eyewear.  Avoid any excessive exposure to UV light.  If you really want to look tan, use a sunless self-tanner.   They contain ingredients that cause a reaction on the surface of the skin that produces a golden color, or a “tan.”  While being safe, they also work quickly (within a few hours), last a few days for each application and are fairly inexpensive.

So go ahead.  Put on that suit.  But give some sunless self-tanner a try and be sure to put on sunscreen before heading to the pool or beach.  You’ll get the tan you’re looking for without damaging your skin or putting yourself at risk for skin cancer.  It’s a choice that allows you to look great now and in the future. 

For more information about tanning, either from the sun or from a tanning booth, talk to your physician.   Or if you need to find a physician, please contact us at 1.877.228.3638.