Skin cancers, like melanoma, are causing deaths around the world. The risk to developing melanoma cannot be eliminated but it can be reduce by simply lowering your sun exposer. They next time you’re laying out on the beach or even on your front lawn consider these facts provided by the MEF (Melanoma Education Foundation):
1. Skin damage from UV exposure is cumulative throughout your lifetime and cannot be reversed.
2. One blistering sunburn before age 20 doubles your lifetime risk of melanoma. Three or more blistering sunburns before age 20 multiplies your lifetime risk by five.
3. . Temperature does not affect the intensity of UV radiation; exposure in winter can be just as damaging to your skin as exposure in summer.
4. Light clouds and haze do not protect against UV exposure. A heavy overcast prevents most UVB exposure but only about 50 percent of UVA exposure.
5. Reflection of UV radiation from light surfaces such as sand, water, concrete, and snow can damage your skin.
6. A beach umbrella may provide as little as 50 percent protection from UV radiation due to reflection from sand.
7. Being in water (or covered in water) does not prevent UV damage to your skin and may even magnify the damage.
8. Window glass blocks most UVB radiation, but only 30 percent of UVA radiation. The laminated glass of car windshields blocks most UVB and UVA radiation.
So the next time you want to “get tan” for the spring season consider the damage you could be inflicting on yourself by simple laying in the front yard for twenty minutes. Also one should take the complexion into account when going out when you might be spending a lot of time in the sun. Fairer complexions should be more aware of sun exposer as they might be more susceptible to damage.
A lot of people now consider going inside to a tanning bed to get a nice summer glow, this is a bad idea. One might be limiting “sun” exposer but you will still be in the harsh UV ray lighting that causes skin cancer. MEF reports “The Indoor Tanning Association is lying to you and to tanning salon operators about the risks of indoor tanning. They want you to believe that “responsible” indoor UV tanning is safe, that there is no compelling evidence that UVA radiation from tanning beds causes melanoma and other skin cancers, that getting a base tan protects you from subsequent sunburn, and that indoor UV tanning may even protect you from cancer by generating Vitamin D.” Overall the UVB radiation from tanning beds and booths has about the same intensity as the sun, but the UVA radiation from tanning beds is about 10-13 times more intense than the sun. Therefore don’t trick yourself by thinking that going and getting a base tan at a salon before heading off to a sunny climate will help at all. Try bringing some sunblock.
For those who don’t want to be “pasty” white when the cute new spring outfits come along there is an alternative. Sunless tanning. There are multiple products out there that can achieve the same result as sun tanning without the risk of death. It may take a little more time and effort but in the long run it will be worth it. Salons are even beginning to over alternatives: spray-tanning booths. You get the professional look without the horrible damage. A few options include a Neutrogena Spray tan, or Jergens Natural glow lotion that is more affordable than some others. But if you’re looking for more the MEF offers a site for more information about getting something you’ll love and how to use it the right product and applying it. Visit Sunless.com to try it out! Just remember that a lot of sunless tanning products don’t have sunblock in them so take appropriate measures!
Having “some fun in the sun” is a great way to spend time with friends or family. Just remember to be safe and protect your skin. We take other measures but as a whole women seem to be more interested in bronzed skin now that life later. So enjoy spring break and soon summer vacation but don’t forget the sunblock!