According to the American Cancer Society, "cancer of the skin is the most common of cancers accounting for at least half of all cancers".
I'm sure you've all heard by now that tanning isn't the greatest thing you can do for your skin. And by "tanning" I mean regularly using a tanning bed or laying out to "get some sun" - which means you either want and will get a tan or will burn trying. All of this without sunscreen. The purpose of this entry is not to lecture you. I'm attempting to give you enough information to help you make informed decisions. I rarely read a magazine article that gives me the complete who, what, where, why, and how. As a skincare professional, these issues are important to me, and I address them with my clients. And I care. I only want the best for your skin and your health. So over a series of entries, I'm gonna lay it all out for you.
First - a little background on your skin:
Skin is the largest organ in your body and has many functions. Skin protects and covers your internal organs, serves as a barrier to germs, prevents the loss of water and other fluids and helps control body temperature. Your skin is complex little layers that are affected (as well as the rest of your body) by everything you do - how hydrated you are, whether you smoke, have a bad or good diet, how much sleep you get. Personally, I find how our bodies work amazing (when I really sit down and think about it) and so is your skin. We should take care of it.
To make my points (and not bore you completely), I'm going to mention specific things found in these layers for discussion later.
Your skin is made up of 3 layers:
--Epidermis
--Dermis
--Subcutaneous
Epidermis -the top layer - the protective layer - and very thin. Melanocytes are found in the epidermis. Melanocytes make the skin tan or burn in response to UV rays. They protect the deeper layers of skin from damage. Excessive exposure can eventually destroy them. Melanocytes are the cells that turn into melanoma. Would also like to note that the stratus germinativum aka the basal layer and where melanocytes are located is the bottom layer of the epidermis. When a cancer advances, it generally spreads through this barrier.
Dermis - Thicker than the epidermis, nourishes the epidermis. It is the skin's main support system containing sweat and oil glands, hair follicles and is rich in capillaries and blood vessels. Fibroblast cells produce collagen, giving the skin strength and structure, and elastin, which gives the skin stretch and elasticity to prevent sagging.
Subcutaneous- The bottom layer composed mostly of adipose (fatty) tissue. Acts as the body's shock absorber and insulator.
Next: UVA, UVB, and UVC rays
UVC - are the shortest rays, beyond the ozone and have little effect on the exposure skin receives. I've been a part of discussions of whether depletion of the ozone will change this. I think that remains to be seen and have done any research on the matter. UVA and UVB are bigger dogs to tackle.
UVB - the rays we are exposed to most frequently aka "the burning rays". These rays penetrate the lower layers of the epidermis and stimulate melanin production. UVB rays are one thousand times more powerful than UVA and cause sunburn.
UVA - the longest ray most frequently used in tanning beds. They take longer and require a larger amount to burn. BUT UVA rays penetrate beyond the epidermis to the dermis and destroy valuable protein substances - collagen and elastin.
Lessons to learn: Here's a couple...
First, realize that collagen and elastin are our friends. Your body does not produce these little guys at the same rate forever.
Second, overexposure to UVA and UVB is not good. It can destroy the melanocytes that are there to protect the other layers of your skin. UVA damage goes deeper yet is often turned up to a higher level in tanning beds to allow you to tan without the burn. Melanin production is stimulated without the high levels of UVB giving you a burn.
An article I read on the American Cancer Society website states that "tanning beds pose a greater cancer risk than previously believed". They have been "elevated to the highest cancer risk category - carcinogenic to humans - by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the World Health Organization that developed the widely used system for classifying carcinogens". "Current research shows tanning bed use raises the risk of melanoma of the skin by 75% when use starts before the age of 30". Obviously this is a cause for some concern when so many young women and men tan on a regular basis.
This subject raises many arguments and questions. Usually Vitamin D synthesis comes up. I have personally seen a billboard for a tanning business with something about Vitamin D on it. Vitamin D is synthesized by UVB rays. A lot of tanning beds use higher levels of UVA so that kinda doesn't make sense for them to advertise that way. You can also find Vitamin D in food (imagine that) like seafood - cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, tuna. Ok - not completely appealing to all. Vitamin D can be found in fortified foods like milk, some yogurts and some cereals and juices. Supplements are reliable and safe. You can get what you need from supplements - look for D3 form aka cholecalciferol. It seems there is a slight disagreement on what should be the Adequate Intake, but for now it's 200 IU for under 50, 400 for 50-70yrs, 600 for 70yrs +. Or ask your doctor.
Something else people usually bring up is: "Well, I'm not going to stay out of the sun." I'm not telling you to. No one is. I'd recommend avoiding tanning beds and playing it safe in the sun.
Just remember this: skin damage, premature aging, dry, leathery, peeling, itching, wrinkling, sagging and permanent discoloration - all things that can happen from overexposure to UV light whether it's from the sun or a tanning bed. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
And this is definetly not the end of the discussion. Some future subjects: skin cancer, sun safety tips, sunscreen, getting a tan (w/o the damage).
Anything you want to see added to that list?
Thanks for reading! Happy Friday!
Abby O.
www.americancancersociety.com
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