The Darker Side of Tanning!!

March 5th, 2012

The Darker Side of Tanning!!

The warmer weather and lure of spring break brings many opportunities for being outside.  Here are a few things to keep in mind.  The following information about Melanoma and Tanning are from the Melanoma Foundation of New England. 

  Melanoma Facts

• Melanoma rates are increasing faster than nearly all other cancers.
• Melanoma is a relatively easy disease to prevent.
• Most melanomas are easy to stop if caught soon enough — all it takes is a yearly skin exam.
• Melanoma kills one person every hour.
• Melanoma is the most common cancer among women aged 25-32.
• As many as 10,000 people a year die from melanoma.
• The New England states have a higher than average rate of melanoma.

• People who use tanning beds once a month before the age of 35 increase their melanoma risk by 75%.
• It is not safe to tan in the sun or in a tanning booth.
• The more you tan and the younger you start tanning, the more likely it is that you will get melanoma.
• Using a tanning bed for 20 minutes is equivalent to spending one to three hours a day at the beach with no sun protection at all.
• Tanning beds put out three to six times the amount of radiation given off by the sun.
• For most people, 5-10 minutes of unprotected sun 2-3 times a week is enough to help your skin make Vitamin D, which is essential for your health. Getting more sun won't increase your Vitamin D level, but it will increase your risk of skin cancer. Vitamin D also comes from orange juice, milk, fish, and supplements.

  Sunscreen Facts  

• SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. This number refers to the products ability to deflect the sun's burning rays.
• UVA rays are aging rays. UVB are burning rays. The SPF on sunscreen reflects UVB protection. 
•  Choose a sunscreen that has SPF of 15 or higher and protects against UVA/UVB light.
•  Apply 15-30 minutes BEFORE going outdoors.
•  An ounce of sunscreen (size of a shot glass) is needed to cover the area properly. 
• Reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or perspiring.       Sunscreens expire-CHECK the expiration date.
• Sun is strongest between 10—4 PM.
• Wear protective clothing/ hat/glasses when possible.

Before you step into the tanning booth check out the following web sites :

• The Melanoma Foundation of New England at www.mfne.org/ysii/ysii2010postersc.php
•  The American Academy of Dermatology at www.aad.org