The Dangers of Tanning

In Woody Allen's classic "Annie Hall," Alvy Singer laments, "Everything our parents said was good is bad." He lists whole milk, red meat - and the sun. Obviously, the sun is not "bad," but the truth about sun exposure is much more complex than believed a generation ago. Ever since Coco Chanel declared tanning "in" in the 1920s, a suntan was seen as symbol of health, youth and status. However, recent studies on the relationship between the sun's ultraviolet rays (UVR) and our skin are changing the way we view that "healthy" glow.

What is tanning?
Tanning is the skin's reaction to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. When skin is exposed to UV rays, cells called melanocytes produce the brown pigment melanin, which darkens the cells of the epidermis. This darkening of the skin cells is the skin's natural – if imperfect – defense against further damage from UV radiation.

Is tanning bad for you?
The sun's UV rays damage the DNA of the skin's epidermal cells, triggering enzymes that race to repair the damage. However, these enzymes do not always repair the DNA successfully, and all this unrepaired damage can lead to mutations that increase the risk of skin cancer. Also, repeated unprotected sun exposure can cause photoaging – wrinkles, sagging skin, and spots associated with sun damage.

Does all UV radiation harm my skin?
Scientists divide the solar UV spectrum into three wavelengths - UVA, UVB and UVC. Once, UVA and UVC were thought harmless, and only UVB was believed dangerous. UVC is still deemed no threat, since it is absorbed by the ozone layer. But UVA accounts for up to 95 percent of solar UVR reaching Earth. Though far less capable of causing sunburn than UVB, UVA is present during all daylight hours year round, while the amount of UVB in sunlight varies by season, location and time of day.

By the 1990's, scientists knew that UVA exacerbates the cancer-causing effects of UVB, and is the main wavelength behind photoaging. Recently, an Australian-U.S. study found that UVA may be more carcinogenic than UVB. It penetrates more deeply and causes more genetic damage in the skin cells (keratinocytes) where most skin cancers arise. The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization now designate both UVA and UVB as causes of cancer.

Doesn't the melanin acquired through tanning actually protect my skin?
Darker skin does offer greater protection than light skin against sunburn and skin cancer. However, that applies only to people with naturally darker skin. Tanning, like sunburns, attacks the skin's DNA, producing genetic defects that may cause skin cancer.

Isn't getting sunburned more dangerous than getting tan?
Both are dangerous, because both result from DNA damage to the skin cells. It is true that sunburn has been directly linked to melanoma – one blistering sunburn more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life. It is usually thought that lifetime sun exposure is responsible for increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, while both intense, intermittent sun exposure – the pattern that is traditionally linked to melanoma – and lifetime exposure are believed to be involved in the development of basal cell carcinoma. However, studies have also shown a marked increase in melanoma incidence in people who have developed either squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma. Scientists are still trying to determine the exact exposure pattern behind the development of the different types of skin cancer, but it is safe to say that both burning and tanning play major roles in skin cancer.

Are tanning beds safer?
Tanning salon owners say tanning machines are safer than outdoor tanning for two reasons: 1) they mainly use UVA rays, and 2) they offer more "controlled" UV exposure. However, we know now that UVA is a carcinogen, and studies have revealed that tanning salons frequently exceed "safe" UV limits. Study after study has shown that sunbed tanning increases the risk of both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.

The facts bear out: There is no such thing as a safe tan. However, there are safe alternatives in sunless tanners. Being informed about how to protect yourself from unwanted sun exposure is the best defense against skin cancer and photoaging.

Read more about the article here.

Source: www.skincancer.org

How to hit the beach the sun-safe way

The screech of seagulls. The pounding surf. As your summer daydreams grow insistent, you grab a towel, fill up the cooler and set out for the golden sand…
Haven’t you forgotten something?

Right. Sun protection. Before a day on the beach, you need strategies to keep from returning browned or burned by harmful solar ultraviolet rays (UVR). Here’s our five-step plan to make sure your next beach trip isn’t just fun, but also sun-safe.

1. Choose the Right Time

The sun is most intense between 10 AM and 4:00 PM, so why not try an early morning or late afternoon trip? You’ll avoid the crowds (and traffic) and have the beach more to yourself. And you’ll get to enjoy the calm of daybreak or a stunning sunset.

2. Dress for Defense

Skimpy swimsuits may be in, but leave too much of you out. Other clothing can better shield you from UVR. Recent research shows that the right clothing offers even more protection than sunscreen.

Always wear a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses on the beach. Ladies, the tiny swimsuit might be fine in the water, but wear a sarong or another cover-up when you’re on the sand. Men, try knee-length board shorts and a long-sleeved T-shirt.
Tightly-woven fabric best protects the skin. Hold clothes up to the light. If you can see through it, UVR can penetrate it. Darker-colored and brightly colored fabrics (say, oranges and reds) are more sun-protective than pastel or pale ones, especially white T-shirts. And looser-fitting clothes surpass tight clothes that stretch a lot, allowing light through.

Today, many manufacturers offer special UV-absorbing clothes, from swimsuits and shirts to hats and pants. This clothing will usually have a high Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating, indicating how much UVR it absorbs. A fabric with a 50 UPF, for example, allows only 1/50th of the sun’s UVR to pass through.

You can also sun-proof your own clothing. Look for household laundry products containing special UV-absorbing agents that allow you literally to launder UV protection into garments. They can raise the UPF of a white cotton T-shirt from approximately 5 to as high as 30.

3. Pack Sunscreen

Broad-spectrum sunscreen is a core part of any sun safety regimen. The sun’s UVA and UVB rays are the main causes of premature aging and skin cancer, so you need a good broad-spectrum sunscreen featuring ingredients that block or absorb both UVA and UVB. While cosmetics containing sunscreen are fine for incidental everyday exposure, for a long beach stint you need a separate, durable, water-resistant sunscreen. In addition to an SPF of 15 or higher – which guarantees good UVB protection – look for ingredients such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, MexorylTM, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that are ideal against UVA. Apply two tablespoons to all exposed body parts 30 minutes before you go outside. And bring the bottle with you.

4. Claim the Best Spot on (or off) the Sand

Find a spot that’s covered — under a tree or pavilion — or make your own shade with a large beach umbrella. Today, umbrellas made with special sun-protective fabric provide a minimum SPF of 35.

5. Before You Fry, Reapply

When you’re having a good time at the beach, it’s easy to forget that sunscreen eventually breaks down or wears away in the sun. Even if the sunscreen says “long-lasting” on it, never assume you are safe all day after applying it once. Reapply at least every two hours and immediately after swimming or heavy exercise.

There you have it. Follow this simple action plan, and you’ll have a whale of a day but leave the beach unscathed.

For a list of sunscreens, clothing, beach umbrellas, and other sun safety items that have received The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, visit the Web site

Source: www.skincancer.org

Dress for Sun Success!

Some manufacturers today include an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) number on the label. UPF labels indicate how much of the sun's UVR is absorbed by the product's fabric.

For instance, a hat with a UPF of 50 allows just 1/50th of the sun's UVR to reach the skin. To receive The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation, sun-protective fabrics must have a UPF of 30 or higher.

Even if your hat doesn't have a UPF label, you can up your protection factor by choosing headgear wisely. Look for hats with:

Wide Brims: Hats with at least a 3"-brim encircling the circumference protect the face, ears, and neck. Examples include the bucket, cowboy, outback, and Panama.

Curved Shapes: Look for hats that follow the contours of the head and neck.

Dark Colors: Dark or bright colored hats absorb UVR better than paler colors.

Opaque Materials: The denser the fabric, the higher the UPF. Look for closed-weave fabrics or tightly-woven straw.

For a list of companies that manufacture clothing and hats that carry The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation, go to http://www.skincancer.org/, then click on RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS, then click on CLOTHING & FABRICS.

Vitamin D Information

POSITION STATEMENT on VITAMIN D

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that an adequate amount of vitamin D should be obtained from a healthy diet that includes foods naturally rich in vitamin D, foods/beverages fortified with vitamin D, and/or vitamin D supplements.
Vitamin D should not be obtained from unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Unprotected UV exposure to the sun or indoor tanning devices is a known risk factor for the development of skin cancer.

Studies have shown that UV radiation from both the sun and tanning devices can cause oncogenic mutations in skin cells. Use of sunbeds has also been associated with increased risk for melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

There is no scientifically validated, safe threshold level of UV exposure from the sun that allows for maximal vitamin D synthesis without increasing skin cancer risk.
To protect against skin cancer, a comprehensive photoprotective regimen, including the regular use and proper use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen, is recommended.

The Academy also recommends that physicians should provide information on options for obtaining sufficient dietary or supplementary sources of vitamin D to their patients who are at high risk for vitamin D insufficiency.

Many epidemiological studies suggest an association between low serum vitamin D levels and increased risk of certain types of cancers, neurologic disease, autoimmune disease and cardiovascular disease.

It should be emphasized that the causal relationship of vitamin D to these diseases has yet to be demonstrated with clinical trials.

A blood test to measure serum vitamin D level, expressed as the 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], is widely available.

Further research is needed to determine the appropriate serum concentration of vitamin D required for overall good health.

If you would like to know more about The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines for vitamin D, click here.


A higher dose of vitamin D intake, through a combination of diet and supplementation, may be necessary for individuals with known risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency (e.g. dark skin individuals, elderly persons, photosensitive individuals, people with limited sun exposure, obese individuals or those with fat malabsorption).

A daily total dose of 1000 IU (International Units) of vitamin D for these at-risk groups has been discussed in the current US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Dietary Guidelines.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) current recommendation of 400 IU/day for children age 0-18 years should be considered.

For vitamin D supplementation, vitamin D3, the natural form of vitamin D, is preferable over vitamin D2.

Adults who regularly and properly practice photoprotection may also be at risk for vitamin D insufficiency, and may be considered for a daily total dose of 1000 IU vitamin D.