For Skin Cancer Awareness month I am posting about tanning and sunscreens. We all know a tanner and we all need sunscreen whether we like it or not, so please take this info seriously, I may have a few things you haven't heard before and more questions are welcome.
First- the basics.
Melanin is the natural pigment and color of our skin. To give you an idea of where it comes from:
The outmost layer of skin is the epidermis, underneath lie lthe dermis with our blood vessels, collagen, elastin, and a necessary layer of subcutaenous fat between our skin structure and muscles. The uppermost layer of the epidermis is the stratum corneum which consist of dead layers or skin, this is where most skin and makeup products are applied, absorbed and seen. Deep in the epidermis melanin is produced and distributed to create skin color and some natural sun protection.
Darker skin has more, lighter skin has less, sun spots or age spots are clustered melanin typically due to sun damage. Although overall freckles are clustered melanin, they are genetic and while typically sun-senstive are not initially caused by sun damage.
We all have some melanin (unless you were born with Albinism- a complete genetic lack of melanin) and it does help protect us, but chomp on this food for thought:
We all know the tanning bed users that over an over say they use it for a "base tan", meaning they purposefully irradiate themselves with UVA and UVB (most tanning beds use both kinds, some have just one) in order to have an all-over boost in their natural melanin production, but a base tan only gives a natural SPF of about 4. I'll explain more about SPF further down, but know that a lot of lip balms have twice that. And they are damaging their skin and raising their chances of skin cancer.
OK: skin cancer and tanning. How scary is it? REALLY freaking scary is the correct answer. Even heroine is not proven to cause cancer, yet it kills most of it's long-term users. Why do I mention this? Because tanning has been proven to be as addictive as heroine!
As we cook our skin, our body sends us feel-good chemicals so we aren't caused more pain by radiation exposure. This chemical reward in the brain is how drugs form addictions. We are thinking that we are healthy and taking care of our appearance because it makes us feel warm and slightly euphoric as we absorb endorphins. That positive glow we get once subconciously influences us to do it again. This becomes habit and in many cases, soon begins to interfere with life which defines addiction or dependency. It can take far too much time and money, or become a self-esteem or other emotional crutch.
But considering how horrible it is for your health would make any regular tanning fit the description of an addiction and can raise your chances of melanoma by 75%.
What about beds that call themselves safe because they only use one type of UV light? The carcinogenic mutations in some skin cancers have been linked to UVA radiation more than UVB, suggesting that beds have different risks than natural light. The UVA light is also more strongly associated with skin aging than UVB, and with genetic damage. UVB burns the skin quicker, which may create your tan faster, so using only UVA will only tan you slower, have you exposed to radiation longer and age your skin faster. No amount of Botox or facelifts can give back the healthy, plump, springy skin of youth and nothing ruins it faster than lots of UV radiation.
Making a mature tanning decision:Age limits and taxes on indoors tanning are sweeping the US and Europe since school age girls do not often take tanning risks seriously and have the fastest growing rate of melanoma, due to the number of habitual tanners between ages15-24. If the taxes seem unfair, consider how much money is spent on cancer treatment or even just an appointment to check on a new skin abnormality. The cost of medical treatment is for many reasons, beyond most people's means. This is another thing people often don't think about when they risk their health for peer pressure or vanity.
There are a few hyped stories about tanning deaths, that I can't find much on, but use your judgement. If you can get "sun poisoning" as a result radiation and raised body temp in a day at the beach (which can need hospitalization or in some cases kill), you can definitely get it from a tanning bed which usually has a normal day's worth of UV exposure in about a 20 minute period. That's an extreme short term risk. The long term risks are irreparable saggy leathery skin, uneven skin tone/sun spots, and cancer.
Other common risks include skin irritations from beds that haven't been sanitized properly, painful burns, allergies to tanning lotions, dry skin, and freckles in those that don't normally get them.
If someone has tanned their entire life and doesn't look the worse for it, they are an exception, not a tanning expert. They may have a naturally high amount of melanin, they may not tan as often as they say, or they may use a bed with weak bulbs, they may have undiagnosed cancer while they are talking to you, or they may be very very lucky, which only means that for one that's escaped damage (so far) there are more that haven't. I have been in a tanning bed, with my fair skin and all. It felt great and was only tanning a few times a month for 1 summer at age 20. In only a few years I have pigmented areas on my face, more freckles on my arms and chest, and now burn easier even with two kinds of professional brand, medical grade sunscreen and spf makeup on. And this is after I browned up like a berry as a kid. We aren't young forever.
If you refuse to stop tanning, I encourage you to pay attention to your skin for the signs of cancer and for cosmetic reasons to wear SPF at least on your face and then use a little bronzer if you feel there is a difference.
The early signs of skin cancer are:
Some melanomas may be other colors, including brown, pink, and even white. While some melanomas develop slowly, any sudden and rapid change in the size, shape, or color of a mole or spot on the skin should prompt you to seek medical attention immediately.
Have a trusted friend, lover, or family member do a thorough full body check if you don't go to a dermatologist regularily, don't forget between toes, in skin folds, and through hair. Please watch and make every you love, or anyone who tans watch:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CFQQtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D_4jgUcxMezM&ei=_5-4T6XUPIKQsQLZkPCKDA&usg=AFQjCNGbvfINMrylKj8vRSXt4HyIJMoFTg
Ok scary tanning talk over, but I hope you do take it seriously.
Other tanning facts, I find interesting:
A tan used to be a sign of poverty, since those with them typically worked outside, as opposed to the white skin of aristocrats who spent most of their time indoors.
Tans may be so attractive to us, because of Carotene. This is a vitmain found in carrots and some other veggies. Every heard that too many carrots will actually make you turn orange? It's sorta true. Some natural sunless tanners even contain liquid carotene for that reason. Perhaps that glow we find attractive isn' because of the sun, but because of nutrition... A healthy diet with lots of veggies will also help you maintain clear, skin, weight, nails and hair! That carrot is looking sexy!
Tanning became more popular because of Chanel. Not the perfume of bag, but the lady CoCo, herself. She was very fit and loves to play sports outside. Her own tan and fashion influence created a "Tan=Health and Wealth" mentality that has lasted almost a hundred years. Indeed the very wealthy may have more eleisure time spent outside.
Wild how we got here, huh?
First- the basics.
Melanin is the natural pigment and color of our skin. To give you an idea of where it comes from:
The outmost layer of skin is the epidermis, underneath lie lthe dermis with our blood vessels, collagen, elastin, and a necessary layer of subcutaenous fat between our skin structure and muscles. The uppermost layer of the epidermis is the stratum corneum which consist of dead layers or skin, this is where most skin and makeup products are applied, absorbed and seen. Deep in the epidermis melanin is produced and distributed to create skin color and some natural sun protection.
Darker skin has more, lighter skin has less, sun spots or age spots are clustered melanin typically due to sun damage. Although overall freckles are clustered melanin, they are genetic and while typically sun-senstive are not initially caused by sun damage.
We all have some melanin (unless you were born with Albinism- a complete genetic lack of melanin) and it does help protect us, but chomp on this food for thought:
We all know the tanning bed users that over an over say they use it for a "base tan", meaning they purposefully irradiate themselves with UVA and UVB (most tanning beds use both kinds, some have just one) in order to have an all-over boost in their natural melanin production, but a base tan only gives a natural SPF of about 4. I'll explain more about SPF further down, but know that a lot of lip balms have twice that. And they are damaging their skin and raising their chances of skin cancer.
OK: skin cancer and tanning. How scary is it? REALLY freaking scary is the correct answer. Even heroine is not proven to cause cancer, yet it kills most of it's long-term users. Why do I mention this? Because tanning has been proven to be as addictive as heroine!
As we cook our skin, our body sends us feel-good chemicals so we aren't caused more pain by radiation exposure. This chemical reward in the brain is how drugs form addictions. We are thinking that we are healthy and taking care of our appearance because it makes us feel warm and slightly euphoric as we absorb endorphins. That positive glow we get once subconciously influences us to do it again. This becomes habit and in many cases, soon begins to interfere with life which defines addiction or dependency. It can take far too much time and money, or become a self-esteem or other emotional crutch.
But considering how horrible it is for your health would make any regular tanning fit the description of an addiction and can raise your chances of melanoma by 75%.
What about beds that call themselves safe because they only use one type of UV light? The carcinogenic mutations in some skin cancers have been linked to UVA radiation more than UVB, suggesting that beds have different risks than natural light. The UVA light is also more strongly associated with skin aging than UVB, and with genetic damage. UVB burns the skin quicker, which may create your tan faster, so using only UVA will only tan you slower, have you exposed to radiation longer and age your skin faster. No amount of Botox or facelifts can give back the healthy, plump, springy skin of youth and nothing ruins it faster than lots of UV radiation.
Making a mature tanning decision:Age limits and taxes on indoors tanning are sweeping the US and Europe since school age girls do not often take tanning risks seriously and have the fastest growing rate of melanoma, due to the number of habitual tanners between ages15-24. If the taxes seem unfair, consider how much money is spent on cancer treatment or even just an appointment to check on a new skin abnormality. The cost of medical treatment is for many reasons, beyond most people's means. This is another thing people often don't think about when they risk their health for peer pressure or vanity.
There are a few hyped stories about tanning deaths, that I can't find much on, but use your judgement. If you can get "sun poisoning" as a result radiation and raised body temp in a day at the beach (which can need hospitalization or in some cases kill), you can definitely get it from a tanning bed which usually has a normal day's worth of UV exposure in about a 20 minute period. That's an extreme short term risk. The long term risks are irreparable saggy leathery skin, uneven skin tone/sun spots, and cancer.
Other common risks include skin irritations from beds that haven't been sanitized properly, painful burns, allergies to tanning lotions, dry skin, and freckles in those that don't normally get them.
If someone has tanned their entire life and doesn't look the worse for it, they are an exception, not a tanning expert. They may have a naturally high amount of melanin, they may not tan as often as they say, or they may use a bed with weak bulbs, they may have undiagnosed cancer while they are talking to you, or they may be very very lucky, which only means that for one that's escaped damage (so far) there are more that haven't. I have been in a tanning bed, with my fair skin and all. It felt great and was only tanning a few times a month for 1 summer at age 20. In only a few years I have pigmented areas on my face, more freckles on my arms and chest, and now burn easier even with two kinds of professional brand, medical grade sunscreen and spf makeup on. And this is after I browned up like a berry as a kid. We aren't young forever.
If you refuse to stop tanning, I encourage you to pay attention to your skin for the signs of cancer and for cosmetic reasons to wear SPF at least on your face and then use a little bronzer if you feel there is a difference.
The early signs of skin cancer are:
| A = Asymmetry: Melanoma lesions are typically irregular in shape (asymmetrical); benign (noncancerous) moles are typically round (symmetrical). B = Border: Melanoma lesions often have irregular borders (i.e., ragged or notched edges); benign moles have smooth, even borders. C = Colors: Melanoma lesions often contain many shades of brown or black; benign moles are usually a single shade of brown. D = Diameter: Melanoma lesions are often more than 1/4 inch or six millimeters in diameter (about the size of a pencil eraser); benign moles are usually less than 1/4 inch or six millimeters in diameter. |
Have a trusted friend, lover, or family member do a thorough full body check if you don't go to a dermatologist regularily, don't forget between toes, in skin folds, and through hair. Please watch and make every you love, or anyone who tans watch:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CFQQtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D_4jgUcxMezM&ei=_5-4T6XUPIKQsQLZkPCKDA&usg=AFQjCNGbvfINMrylKj8vRSXt4HyIJMoFTg
Ok scary tanning talk over, but I hope you do take it seriously.
Other tanning facts, I find interesting:
A tan used to be a sign of poverty, since those with them typically worked outside, as opposed to the white skin of aristocrats who spent most of their time indoors.
Tans may be so attractive to us, because of Carotene. This is a vitmain found in carrots and some other veggies. Every heard that too many carrots will actually make you turn orange? It's sorta true. Some natural sunless tanners even contain liquid carotene for that reason. Perhaps that glow we find attractive isn' because of the sun, but because of nutrition... A healthy diet with lots of veggies will also help you maintain clear, skin, weight, nails and hair! That carrot is looking sexy!
Tanning became more popular because of Chanel. Not the perfume of bag, but the lady CoCo, herself. She was very fit and loves to play sports outside. Her own tan and fashion influence created a "Tan=Health and Wealth" mentality that has lasted almost a hundred years. Indeed the very wealthy may have more eleisure time spent outside.
Wild how we got here, huh?
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