Skin Care Resource Center: Sun Safety: Protect the Skin You're In!

The Effects of Tanning

Skin: we can't live without it. It's both the largest organ of the body and one of the most mistreated. It's vital for protecting and regulating the body and can provide amazing insight into a person's state of health. Yet some ignore the warnings of premature aging and worse to pursue a love affair with the sun.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or by artificial sources, such as tanning beds and sunlamps, contributes to the risk of developing skin cancer. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause wrinkling, loss of elasticity, and other signs of premature skin aging. Since sun damage may not be immediately visible, many people don't realize the dangers of tanning. In fact, any tan is a sign of the skin adapting to potentially damaging UV radiation. Tanning occurs when the skin produces additional coloring (pigment), trying to adapt to protect itself against sunburn. The most serious outcome of overexposure to the sun is skin cancer, a delayed effect that usually doesn't show up for many years. Although some exposure to the sun is important to make sure a person gets enough vitamin D, about 20 minutes of sun a day on the face and hands is considered enough for this purpose.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson strongly warns teens to take simple preventive steps now to help avoid skin cancer later. "Even a few serious sunburns," he says, "can increase a person's risk for skin cancer."

UVA v. UVB

Sunburn is associated with the shorter wavelengths of UV radiation, known as ultraviolet B (UVB). The longer wavelengths, known as ultraviolet A (UVA), however, can penetrate the skin and damage connective tissue at deeper levels, even if the skin's surface feels cool. It is important to limit exposure to both UVA and UVB.

Artificial Sun

Indoor tanning can be as harmful as outdoor tanning. More than 1 million people visit tanning salons on an average day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). But many don't know that indoor tanning devices, such as tanning beds and sunlamps, emit UV radiation that's similar to and sometimes more powerful than the sun. As a result, the FDA discourages the use of tanning beds and sunlamps.

Be wary of claims about "safe rays" because there is no such thing. Both types of ultraviolet light, UVB and UVA, can cause wrinkling and other signs of premature skin aging, skin cancer, and damage to the eyes and the immune system.

Sunlamps used for tanning produce UV radiation. FDA policies require sunlamp product manufacturers to develop an exposure schedule and establish a maximum recommended exposure time based on the UV emission characteristics of their products. FDA also warns that, while some tanning operators may claim that UVA sunlamps are safer than both the sun and UVB lamps, this has not been definitely shown. In fact, exposure to UV radiation from sunlamps adds to the total amount of UV radiation people get from the sun during their lifetimes and potentially increases their risk of cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, the incidence of skin cancer is already increasing each year, and melanoma, the most serious form, is increasing by 3 percent annually. In fact, statistics indicate that 1 out of 7 people in the United States will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetimes, with the rate increasing as the population ages. People with pale skin, red hair and freckles are at the highest risk for skin cancer.

Spray-on Tans

During the last few years, some companies have offered a sunless option that involves spraying customers in a tanning booth with the color additive dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA interacts with the dead surface cells in the outermost layer of the skin to darken skin color.

DHA has been approved by the FDA for use in coloring the skin since 1977, and has typically been used in lotions and creams. Its use is restricted to external application, which means that it shouldn't be sprayed in or on the mouth, eyes, or nose because the risks, if any, are unknown. If you choose to use DHA spray at home or in tanning booths, be sure to cover these areas.

Tanning Pills

There are no tanning pills approved by the FDA. Some companies have marketed tanning pills that contain the color additive canthaxanthin. When large amounts of canthaxanthin are ingested, the substance can turn the skin a range of colors, from orange to brown. However, canthaxanthin is only approved for use as a color additive in foods and oral medications, and only in small amounts.

Tanning pills have been associated with health problems, including an eye disorder called canthaxanthin retinopathy, which is the formation of yellow deposits on the eye's retina. Canthaxanthin has also been reported to cause liver injury and a severe itching condition called urticaria, according to the AAD.

When Tanning, Beware of the Dangers

Harmful rays from the sun, sunlamps and tanning beds may cause:

skin cancer, which can be deadly,
eye problems,
weakened ability to fight disease,
unsightly skin spots, or
wrinkles and "leathery" skin.

Decoding Sunscreen Labels

All of the abbreviations and terms on sunscreen bottles can make buying sunscreen confusing. Copy down this section and take it with you the next time your family buys sunscreen to help you interpret the labels.

SPF Sun Protection Factor and the number next to it refer to the degree to which a sunscreen can protect the skin from sunburn. The higher the number, the more sunburn protection the sunscreen can provide. You should use a minimum of SPF 15 and reapply often.

UV or UVR Ultraviolet radiation from the sun that can cause sunburn, wrinkling, premature aging, and skin cancer and may also interfere with the body's immune system. Look for "broad spectrum" sunscreens that protect from the two types of UV rays.

UVA Ultraviolet A is longer wavelength UV radiation that can penetrate and damage the deeper layers of skin even if the skin feels cool and shows no signs of burning.

UVB Ultraviolet B is the shorter wavelength UV radiation associated with sunburn and other skin damage.

Water Resistant These sunscreens stay on the skin longer even if they get wet from pool water, ocean water or sweat. But water resistant doesn't mean waterproof. Sunscreens with this label still need to be reapplied. Check the label for reapplication times.

Protect Yourself with these Sun Safety Tips:

Avoid the sun, or seek shade, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are strongest. Even on a cloudy day, up to 80% of the sun's rays can get through.
Apply an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen evenly to all uncovered skin before going outside. Check the label for the correct amount of time to apply sunscreen before you go out. If the label does not give a time, allow about 15 to 30 minutes.
Don't forget to apply sunscreen to your eyelids, lips, nose, ears, neck, hands and feet.
Avoid getting sunscreen in your eyes. It can sting.
If you don't have much hair apply sunscreen to the top of your head or wear a hat.
Reapply sunscreen often. Read the label to see how often you need to reapply.
Wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head and face.
Wear sunglasses with 99% to 100 % UV protection to protect your eyes.
Avoid artificial tanning methods such as sunlamps, tanning beds, tanning pills and tanning makeup.
If you still choose to use sunlamps or tanning beds, follow the manufacturer's recommended exposure schedule and always wear FDA-compliant protective eyewear.
Check your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer.
Ask a doctor before applying sunscreen to children under 6 months of age.

Do a Skin Cancer Check

No matter how much time you spend in the sun, you should protect yourself by checking for signs of skin cancer. Do a thorough body check and look for changes in the size, shape, color or feel of birthmarks, moles and spots. If you find any changes or find sores that are not healing, let your doctor know right away.

Use a hand mirror or full-size mirror and follow these easy steps: