Let’s talk tanning beds and sunscreen! I literally feel the heat on me now! But seriously, some of you out there have been tanning regularly since you were teenagers. I frequently hear, “it feels good, it makes my joints feel good, it clears up my skin “, etc. Undeniably, there are instances when this may “feel” like this is the best thing in the world, and in rare instances some dermatologists make make a recommendation for brief stints in the tanning bed. But when I tell you they are generally horrible, please believe me. In 2021, alone I found, (a PCP, not a dermatologist), at least 6 melanomas on my patients, just by doing their skin exams with their yearly physicals. One of my patients was in their 20’s—yes, I said 20’s! And it is getting worse! Did you know that people of color also experience melanoma??? Bob Marley famously died of melanoma from a lesion under his great toenail! Yes, it can affect ALL races!
Let’s throw out an alarming statistic: The risk of melanoma increases by 75% when tanning bed use is started before the age of 35. Did you catch that, 75%!!!! In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) deemed tanning beds as the highest cancer risk category and labeled them as “carcinogenic to humans”. They emit two types of radiation both UV-A and B which cause DNA damage to the cells, causing them to turn into cancer. Tanning beds are mostly likely to cause squamous cell and melanoma types of skin cancer. These both can be very deadly. 1 in 8 people will die from their melanoma diagnosis! Melanoma is the second most common type of cancer in women in their 20’s. It also increases cancers of the eye, because teenagers typically forego the protective eyewear (like helmets, seatbelts, etc.). The thing about skin cancer is that the damage occurs when you are young and you may not see it until you are older! That makes tanning beds more dangerous because they give a false sense of security because damage is not readily visible.
If you do participate in tanning bed use, please do not go to more than 3 sessions in the first week. Wear eye protection, save eye patches for Halloween! Do not use intensifiers. Watch tanning with certain medications (ask your pharmacist). The beds have recommended exposure times that coincide with the lamps in the beds, follow their guidelines. And lastly, this is not an endorsement of them, my straight up 100% recommendation, it to AVOID them- in this case, FAKE is BEST!
Sunscreen is now in part regulated by the FDA-which is good because it brings this industry up to standards and prevents some deceptive labeling. Sunscreen is either broad-spectrum or not—you WANT broad spectrum sunscreen. This covers both UVA and B rays, remember those are the DNA damaging Sun-rays! All sunscreen above SPF 15 is now considered to be broad spectrum. Application is key!! Apply 15 minutes before exposure, it needs to soak in. Also, reapply at least every 2 hours, or more frequently if you are sweating or swimming. The SPF number does not correlate to the time sun exposure, it has to do with the ray blocking force. Generally, the time between 10-2 will be the time when you have the highest of amount UV radiation. SPF’s generally go to 50 or 60, and provide maximum protection. If you re fair skinned, as I am, an SPF of at least 30 may be required to prevent sunburn. They make great sunscreen for kids. Be aware of recalls! There have been several prominent brands that have been recalled lately because they contain benzene-a flammable liquid that can cause cancer (see the link in my sources).
The bottom line is this—-UV rays cause cancer, either from tanning beds or the sun. Neither option is “safer” than the other. It takes ONE sunburn as a child to damage skin cells to produce that cancer mostly likely, LATER in life. Be smart, it doesn’t have to be you, be PROUD of the skin you are in! Purple, orange, black, white or yellow! Changing the color can lead to long-term consequences. Remember, Bob?? Please advocate at your annual physical that your PCP at least give you a general skin check, if they decline, see a dermatologist-it could save your life! Use precautions, common sense, and be skin wise!
Sources: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/edgewell-personal-care-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-banana-boat-hair-scalp-sunscreen-due https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/update-sunscreen-requirements-deemed-final-order-and-proposed-order https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/omuf/index.cfm?event=NewMonograph&ID=1245EB7DED1F08847DCC4EDB3991C18DE39AF98AA3629BD7F1184B2F58850C5E&OMUFID=OTC000006. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/indoor-tanning-risks-ultraviolet-rays
Becoming Wellness Wise 