It’s that time of year yet again. Summer has snuck up and the weather is perfect for BBQ’s, trips to the beach, ice cream, and Vegas pool sides. Of course, before many college students hit these social events, they want to arrive in style wearing the latest trends and the perfect tan. Yes, a tan, a beautifully bronzed body, golden tinted skin…this fashion accessory has become a necessity.
In the U.S and Europe, ironically, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that sun-bathed skin became fashionable. Before then, staying indoors was considered a luxury. Pale skin was a status of wealth if outdoor labor was affordable. When fashion-icon Coco Chanel returned from a trip to the French Riviera with a tan, sun tanning became a trend (Teen's Health, 2003). Many societies, both past and present, have used the sun as a remedy for disease, or a tool for restoring and healing. Long ago, the sun was prescribed to patients to prevent rickets and other chronic diseases correlated to the bones. In modern times, a tan often symbolizes good health and is desirable. Current research on sunlight in moderation evidently curbs diabetes, beats depression, protects against cancer, and lowers blood pressure. Despite these findings, sunbathing is not the same as sun tanning (Nachatelo, 2002). Before slathering on the coconut oil, take a minute to read and learn about your fabulous skin.
We all need some sunlight. It is the predominant source of Vitamin D, and promotes absorption of calcium, a mineral crucial for bone health (Teen's Health, 2004). Here in Southern California, we are lavished with lots of beautiful sunshine. Therefore, it’s not surprising that most of us can get an overdose of sunlight, and this is where the problem lies. Prolonged exposure to the sun and its UV (ultraviolet) light results in premature wrinkling, skin cancer, and eye damage. Furthermore, UV light has been more abundant over the last century, and will continue to intensify because the ozone layer, an invisible UV filter, has been significantly reduced(University of Maryland, 2003).
Skin cancer has been described by the University of Maryland Medical Center to be “a disease in which malignant cells are found in the outer layers of the skin (‘malignant’ meaning progressive, uncontrolled growth).” Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and comes in three forms: Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), and Melanoma. BCC is the most common, SCC is second-most common, and Melanoma is the rarest and most serious. Skins cancers are curable if detected early, treated appropriately, and closely monitored. Treatment consists of radiation and various surgeries (University of Maryland, 2004). This is a hefty consequence for a fashion accessory. In case you are still not convinced about the severity of this disease, 9,200 Americans lives will be lost to skin cancer yearly. A single severe childhood burn significantly increases the chance of developing skin cancer as an adult (The National Coalition for Skin Cancer Prevention in Health, n.d.).
Indoor tanning is no guarantee for a safeguard. A number of tanning salons claim to emit solely UVA light (UVA light is less carcinogenic than UVB light) for the sake of preventing burns (de Grujil, 2002). In fact, the indoor tanning industry has argued that indoor tanning serves as a preventative measure by decreasing the incidence of burns, thus preventing skin cancer. On the contrary, UVA light in tanning beds is more concentrated, and will accelerate aging of the skin. There is also concrete evidence that UVA does in fact cause skin cancer. Moreover, many tanning beds combine UVB light with UVA light to accelerate the tanning process. A tan is the result of melanin, a pigment released into the skin when exposed to UV light. Melanin salvages the skin to some degree, from further UV damage. Although a tan is achieved without sunburn, DNA is damaged before the skin darkens. In conclusion, indoor tanning is a poor substitute for outdoor tanning (The Skin Cancer Foundation, 2005a).
Protecting yours skin reaps the benefits, and refraining from outdoor activities is not mandatory. Use a sunscreen SPF 15 or higher with “broad spectrum” protection. SPF stands for sun-protection factor and measures the length of time skin is protected against exposure from UVB light. A higher SPF protects longer. If for instance, a sunscreen is SPF 15 and it takes 10 minutes for one’s skin to burn, the protection period will last for 150 minutes (Federal Trade Commission, 2001). Hence, sunscreen needs to be applied liberally, thoroughly (feet and ears burn as well), and frequently, especially when sweating heavily or coming into contact with water. Sunscreen should have a broad spectrum, meaning that the sunscreen will protect against both UVA and UVB light (The Skin Cancer Foundation, 2005b). Any sunscreen product marked with an American Skin Foundation’s “Seal of Recommendation,” is a reassurance that it has met the “highest standards of safety and effectiveness.” UV rays are most virulent between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and should be avoided during this timeframe, if possible. UV light does penetrate through glass, but clothing, sunglasses, and hats effectively prevent skin damage. Sunscreen and protective wear is also important in snowy or icy weather because UV light reflects off the white terrain (The Skin Cancer Foundation, 2005c).
Why not opt for a sunless tanning cream? They may need some assistance to apply, but have significantly improved in quality. Fortunately, modern cosmetics can mimic a real tan and are up to par with safety standards (Teen's Health, 2003). The active ingredient in these products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which interacts with the epidermis, or outer layer of dead skin cells, to create a tan (The Skin Cancer Foundation, 2005a). DHA is found in almost all self-tanners, including spray booths, airbrush systems and bottled self-tanners you can use at home (Sheehan, 2005). Self-tanners containing DHA are unsafe when internally or applied to body parts unintended for use. This includes area of the body covered by a mucous membrane: eyes, genitals, and lips(Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 2003a). The American Academy confirms that self-tanners are a safe alternative to the sun and do not wash off. However, they are solely used for darkening the skin and offer little or no defense against the sun, so sunscreen is required (American Academy of Dermatology, 2005). DHA is the only FDA approved chemical for the purpose of self-tanning. The product may result in an uneven color on some parts of the body and could potentially stain clothes before setting(Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 2003a, 2003b). Many tanning salons offer airbrush tanning, a more costly option that is more convenient. This costs around $25 and lasts 5-7 days if skin is fully exfoliated before the session. The skin must also be kept dry for best results. Self-tanning lotions bought in the store, are relatively inexpensive and range from $10-$35 (Imko, 2005). Let the buyer beware: studies that examine the long-term effects of DHA may warrant concern. This chemical has expressed genotoxic characteristics, meaning that it could potentially be a health hazard to DNA and the cells. These findings are currently under further investigation (Petersen, Wulf, Gniadecki, & Gajkowska, 2004).
American Academy of Dermatology. (2005). Sunscreens. Retrieved July 7, 2005, from http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamplets/Sunscreens.htm
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (2003a). DHA-spray sunless "tanning" booths. Retrieved 2005, July 7, from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-tan4.html
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (2003b). Sunscreens, tanning products, and sun safety. Retrieved July 7, 2005, from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-220.html
de Grujil, F. (2002). Photocarcinogenesis: UVA vs UVB. Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 15, 316-320.
Federal Trade Commission. (2001). Sunscreens and sun protective clothing. Retrieved July 6, 2005, from http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/sun.htm
Imko, M. (2005, June 21). Sunless tan can be safer alternative. The Post and Courier, p. 1D.
Nachatelo, M. (2002). Focuses on health benefits from sun bathing. Recommendations for sun exposure; Source of Vitamin D requirement. Natural Health, 32(4), 54-56.
Petersen, A., Wulf, H., Gniadecki, R., & Gajkowska, B. (2004). Dihydroxyacetone, the active browning ingredient in sunless tanning lotions, induces DNA damage, cell-cycle block and apoptosis in cultured HaCaT keratinocytes. Science Direct, 560(2), 173-186.
Sheehan, N. (2005, May 27). Sunless tanning; spray, slather, airbrush your way to UV-free color. Telegram and Gazette, p. C1.
Teen's Health. (2003). The tanning taboo. Retrieved June 23, 2005, from http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/safebasics/tanning.html
Teen's Health. (2004). Tips for taking care of your skin. Retrieved June 23, 2005, from http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/skin_tips.html
The National Coalition for Skin Cancer Prevention in Health, P. E., Recreations, and Youth Sports. (n.d.). The radiating facts. Retrieved June 23, 2005, from http://www.sunsafety.org/radiate.htm
The Skin Cancer Foundation. (2005a). The case against indoor tanning. Retrieved June 23, 2005, from http://www.skincancer.org/artificial/index.php
The Skin Cancer Foundation. (2005b). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved June 23, 2005, from http://www.skincancer.org/faq/index.php
The Skin Cancer Foundation. (2005c). Sun safety. Retrieved June 23, 2005, from http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/index.php
University of Maryland. (2003). Causes of skin cancer. Retrieved 2005, June 23, from http://www.umm.edu/skincancer/causes.htm
University of Maryland. (2004). Women's health: what is skin cancer? Retrieved June 23, 2005, from http://www.marylandgeneralhospital.com/women/skincaus.htm
