Is being tan worth the risk? Are the rewards worth the consequences? According to skincancer.org, it’s not. The website states that “tanning is caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds that cause genetic damage to cells on your outermost layer of skin.” Basically, you get your tan from your cells being damaged.
Tanning does more than just make you appear more bronze. It actually changes and ages your skin. It creates visible changes, such as wrinkles, dark spots, or weathered skin.
There is also a lot at stake. Every one in five Americans ends up with skin cancer by the age of 70.
However, most people won’t stop tanning just because they hear the dangers. here are many solutions. Make sure to wear sunscreen. If you are using SPF 30, it ideally means it will take 30 times longer for you to burn than if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen at all.
Science teacher at Hamilton Wenham Regional High School, Jacob Ahern, says, “The sunlight that comes through our atmosphere is a mixture of a couple of things. Visible light, infrared, this is the heat you can feel. UV is a straight radiation. Your body can’t detect it, it can only detect it when you get burned.”
“Because it is a stronger form of radiation, it is going to damage your skin cells more.”
It’s a common misconception that you cannot tan while wearing sunscreen. Lea Tabebenkin, the Hamilton Wenham Regional High School nurse, says, “You can get tan with sunscreen. It just protects the rays from hurting your skin. Putting oil on and no sunscreen will burn your skin.”
Spray tans aren’t great either. Tabebenkin says, “They can cause issues in your lungs. However, there are some lotions that you can use to add some sort of glow.”
Ahern adds to the spray tan issue, saying, “When you go to a tanning bed, it’s strictly UV.”
But which SPF should you be using? SPF 30 is suitable for everyday use and extended sun exposure. You should incorporate SPF 30 into your routine to protect your skin, especially on your face.
SPF 50 or higher is recommended for your skin when you will be exposed to high UV radiation for an extended period. However, there is not a large margin from SPF 50 to higher. A higher SPF can end up being more expensive for a relatively small difference.
Tabebenkin says, “If you go in the water, or you’re in the sun all day, you want to make sure that you reapply.”
Additionally, she says, “If you want to go lie out, make sure that you do not do it at the peak hours, which are between 10 and 1.”
There are many more risks of trying to become “tanner.” You can end up with a sunburn, which causes more long-term damage than short-term consequences.
Skincancer.org says, “Melanin works by darkening your unprotected sun-exposed skin. The amount of melanin you produce is determined by genetics, which is why some people tend to get sunburned while others tend to tan. Both are signs of cellular damage to the skin.”
Even if you aren’t prone to burn, you need to apply sunscreen. Being outdoors in the sun without proper protection is dangerous, especially when there is higher UV.
Ahern says, “Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen and a hat; you’ll be thanking me in 40 years. Do you want skin cancer?”
The UV or Ultra Violet rays are defined as “Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun.”
There is a specific scale of UV with guidelines on how to protect yourself from the sun. There is also the Shadow rule. If your shadow is taller than you, the UV is likely to be low. If your shadow is shorter than you, the UV is likely to be higher, and you should seek shade and wear sunscreen.
When the UV is 1-2, it is extremely low, and there is little to no need for any SPF protection.
When the UV index is 3-7, the UV level is moderate, and protection is advised. Apply SPF 15 or higher.
When the UV index is 8 or higher, protection is completely necessary. Extra protection is advised. Reapply every hour with SPF 30 or above.
If you want to read more about the UV, epa.gov has good information.
Certain sunscreen brands are better for both the environment and your skin. The chemicals in some sunscreens, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, enter the water, which bleaches the coral reefs, leading to the destruction of the plants and habitats of marine life.
A website that provides more information about the impact of oxybenzone and octinoxate on our oceans can be found here. Oceanfdn.org.
There is also an organization called The Safe Sunscreen Council, which is raising awareness about the issue and the importance of our reefs. They are also a good resource for learning about the issue, as they link to several articles that can be read. Their website is linked here. Safesunscreencouncil.org.
Some of the harmful sunscreen brands to avoid are Sun Bum, Banana Boat Sunscreen, and Hawaiian Tropic.
Some reputable brands include Supergoop, Blue Lizard, Neutrogena, CeraVe, and Coppertone Sport. These brands not only protect you from the sun but also protect our planet.
Remember that tanning can be done safely for both you and your surroundings.
