What is more prevalent in over 100 cities in the United States than Starbucks stores and McDonald’s? [1] Something that is arguably worse than paying over five dollars for a cup of coffee or stuffing ourselves with unhealthy, fast food – tanning salons. Especially in the United States, having tan skin year-round has gained popularity since tanning beds can provide an alternative to sitting outside for hours and can be used in the cold winter months. Just take a look at celebrities - we see them bronzed and beautiful all the time. And we all want to look like Snooki, right? Well, keeping that glow year-round artificially (or from the sun for that matter) comes at a hefty price.
Indoor tanning devices give off artificial UV (Ultraviolet) radiation to provide people with the bronze they desire. What is so dangerous about this are the UV-A and UV-B rays that you are exposed to with indoor tanning devices. The International Agency of Research on Cancer has declared UV radiation as known cancer-causing substances [1]. According to the FDA, exposure to UV radiation can cause [2]:
· Skin cancer
· Skin burns
· Premature skin aging
· Eye damage
So why does this matter? Well, I can bet there are not many people who want their skin to look and feel like a leather bag in their 30s, 40s, or beyond; not to mention the risk of developing skin cancer. “People need to realize that exposure to ultraviolet light, whether it’s from the sun or tanning beds, is dangerous, particularly when you are young, and they need to limit their exposure,” said Dr. Marcus Plescia, director of CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control [4].
In 2004, the Skin Health Study was started in Minnesota to look specifically at the risk of a skin cancer called melanoma and indoor tanning by comparing two groups, ages 25 to 59 – one group of participants with melanoma, one without. This allowed for a variety of potential cancer-causing factors from tanning salon use to be considered – age at initiation, total years used, frequency of use, use of different devices and more. The study had some very important findings, including increased risk, association, and likelihood of having melanoma associated with ever participating in indoor tanning, higher frequency of use, longer period of time used, and specific devices (high-speed and high pressure) [1]. The dangers of UV radiation exposure confirmed!
What can be learned from this? It is important to take care of your skin and your body. While many people know that a sunburn is damaged skin cells from UV rays, a tan is also a response to injured skin cells – to respond to the damage your body produces more pigment, tan or red [3]. Not exposing yourself to such harmful UV radiation results in a lower risk of skin cancer. What does the CDC say you can do to help prevent skin cancer, from indoor tanning or sun exposure [3]?
· Seek shade
· Wear clothes that protect exposed skin
· Wear a hat that shades the face, head, ears and neck
· Wear sunglasses that block as much UV-A and UV-B rays as possible
· Use sunscreen SPF 15 or higher, with UV ray protection
· Avoid indoor tanning
So it is as easy as NOT subjecting yourself to extra UV exposure at a tanning salon to protect your body and your skin! Still want that bronze look for the holidays? Check out safer alternatives such as these sunless tanners that avoid damaging your skin. Learn more about the risks of indoor tanning from the American Academy of Dermatology here. Learn more about signs and other causes of melanoma here.
Samantha Noreen is a first year doctoral student in the Biostatistics Department at Emory University. Her love of books leads to a desire to own a Barnes and Noble - like library one day. She is also greatly hoping that Santa will bring her a puppy this Christmas.
[2] http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/HomeBusinessandEntertainment/ucm116447.htm
[3] http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/indoor_tanning.htm
[4] http://www.nyhealthinsurer.com/2012/news/cdc-skin-cancer-warnings-ignored-by-young-adults/
Great post! I think that you explained the problem and the state of scientific knowledge really clearly. I really like that you not only directed people to specific risk reduction strategies, but also acknowledged the social norms around tanning and the pressure that people feel to be tan, and suggested sunless tanning products.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I hope Santa brings you a puppy this Christmas too. :)
Fantastic post, very easy to read and extremely informative. As someone who burns way too easily, I always have to remember to keep myself protected (and for those with kids, watching out for their exposure is even more important). Great work!
ReplyDeleteNice job, Sam! I really enjoyed the tan selection chart.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I liked the reference to Snooki so it seemed relatable, but that you also gave tips from CDC to make it more scientific. You alluded to excess tanning leading to "leathery skin", but I would suggest that you could've emphasized this more. Knowing that tanning ages their skin faster may hit home for some people since they are doing it for their looks in the first place.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam,
ReplyDeleteThis was a very nice post. The Snooki references (and chart!) are awesome. I really liked the practical tips to *avoid indoor tanning*, but also the reference to other types of sunless tanners. The link to information on melanoma was an especially nice touch.
It would have been interesting to (briefly) explore the reasons why people choose to self tan. Is this an increasing phenomenon? How much does it happen in Atlanta? Why do people choose UV tanning over sunless tanning, or *not* tanning at all?
Also, if you get a puppy this Christmas, I hope you will let me play with it too.
Best,
Becca
I am confused about the New Jersey reference, but the rest of the post is pretty relevant, what with the focus on an unattainable self image so prevalent in today's culture. Very easy to read without dumbing it down too much.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I thought it was informative and easy to understand - great for a lay audience. I also thought you did a great job with your picture selection - I was intrigued as soon as I saw the Jersey Shore tanning chart. Nice job!
Ellen
A very eye-catching blog! And I love it that you provide important info about how to protect yourself. Just that the info may be a little overwhelm for lay audience that makes them feel there are too many different strategies and guidelines to follow.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post! It would engage anyone - not just a public health person because of your pop culture references. The Snookie picture is also great. I also think you explained it in very clean and understandable language. Great Job!
Hi Sam,
ReplyDeleteAs someone who grew up mostly in MN, I definitely saw a lot of strange shades of people during the winter months. A lot of my friends would go tanning before they went on vacation (to pre-bake so they wouldn't burn). It was bizarre. I didn't realize all of the other potential problems with tanning, like the impact on your eyes.
Overall I think the tone was very conversational (although some of the methods was a little too much information). I also really liked the pictures, especially the Oompa Loompa colored tan. : )
Nice job! (And good luck with the puppy, although I am personally more excited about the library -- we share a common vision.)
Ariela
Sam,
ReplyDeleteOmg I'm so happy to learn about the health of effects of tanning because I tan all the time. LOL! No, really I think this was a great article. It was an easy read and kept my attention the whole time. I like how you have links at the end of the blog to safer alternatives. I also like the pictures of Snooki you have! Nice work!