April 18, 2006
NEWSTanning beds have greater risk than sunlight
Summer is around the corner and students are likely to enjoy the fun in the sun whether it’s surfing, scuba diving, or getting tan. Being in the sun for long periods of time, even if it doesn’t burn, can lead to skin cancer.
A tan is the body’s desperate attempt to protect itself from the sun’s harmful rays. Many students find tanning salons to be the perfect solution for a tan.
Students should be aware that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, occurring in more than a million people. Students who tan often might be putting themselves at a great risk of skin cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes.
The cells that produce the skin coloring or pigment known as melanin. Close to 60,000 cases are diagnosed each year and accounts for approximately 8,000 deaths in the United States.
Monique Sampias, a dermatology nurse pracitioner in Tempe, explained the dangers and risks of skin cancer.
“Everyone has different skin types, from fair, olive to dark skin. Usually fair skinned individuals, such as people of Caucasian and Asian descent are at greater risk, but essentially, skin cancer can affect anyone,” Sampias said.
According to medical studies from the American Academy of Family Physicians, tanning booths ultra violet rays penetrate deeper into the skin than ultraviolet sunrays.
Skin cancer occurs in parts of the body that are extensively exposed to the sun.
These portions include the head, arms, face, hands, ears and the back of the hands. Melanoma is detected when there are continuous sunspots on these parts of the body followed by skin discoloration.
Other symptoms include any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole, or even a new growth. Bleeding and tenderness are also symptoms on the skin that may indicate beginning stages of melanoma.
Any changes should be immediately reported to a physician.
Sampias adds that the key to avoiding skin cancer and still find summer fun is to avoid sunlamps or the sun itself as much as possible. Wearing light clothing that repels light, such as white or yellow toned clothing, helps defers the suns’ harmful rays.
Staying in the shade and wearing protection for your face and neck can also help reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Sampias listed a few ways to protect skin while at the same time getting a desired tan.
“Wearing some sort of protective block, such as an SPF (sun protection factor) lotion, is important. From SPF 15 and up are the best choices,” Sampias explained.“Foundation for women is available with different levels of SPF,” Sampias added.
“Spray on mists at a a tanning salon are gaining popularity. It’s a new way to get a tan that doesn’t involve the risk of tanning in a bed,” Sampias said. “They also last longer,” Sampias added. “You can also purchase at home sprays that you can use to get the tan that you want, and they are relatively inexpensive,” Sampias added.
Students should be aware that water and clouds won’t protect the body. The AAFP contends that 60 to 80 percent of the sun’s rays can get through clouds and reach at least one foot below the surface of the water.
“It takes only four to six minutes to get sunburned. It takes so little to protect your skin and health,” Sampias said.
With the proper steps followed, students should be able to maintain regular outdoor activities and enjoy the suns’ rays and enjoy them instead.
Volume 43, Issue 13. Today is
Summer is upon students and so is the need for a tan. While
some students lay in the sun to achieve this goal, others subject their skin
to the harmful rays of a tanning bed. A tanning bed shines ultra-violent rays
deeper into a person’s skin causing more damage than regular sun tanning.
Students are warned to wear some kind of protective block and to remember
that clouds do not block the harmful rays of the sun and that it is still
damaging.
photo by Amanda Smith