Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

| CWK Producer

The International Agency for Research on Cancer now says tanning beds are as dangerous as arsenic.  But despite all the warnings about cancer, indoor tanning continues to explode in popularity, especially among teens. 

Last year, 16-year-old Pam went to the tanning salon nearly every day.  “And if I got off work at 9-9:30,” says Pam, “and they close at like 10- I’d still try and go.”

An analysis of 20 different studies finds that when tanning beds are used before the age of 30, the risk of skin cancer goes up by 75 percent. “The immune system is not fully developed,” says Dr. Tiffani Hamilton, a dermatologic surgeon in metro-Atlanta.  “So when they sustain cellular damage- they are not able to correct that cellular damage quite as efficiently.  So they are at an even higher risk of developing cancer than someone in their thirties who goes to the tanning bed.”

The International Agency for research on Cancer has placed tanning beds in the same category as tobacco.  They are just as likely to cause cancer.

“The major wavelength found in a tanning parlor is the most carcinogenic wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum,” explains Dr. Hamilton.

Pam’s mom, Mary Ganer, is worried.  “I’ll tell her all the time, ‘Why aren’t you covering your face?’ ‘Are you watching for spots?’ ‘You’re going too much’ ‘That doesn’t look good,’” says Mary.

The Sunbed Association still says there is no proven link between the responsible use of tanning beds and skin cancer.  Dermatologists, however, disagree.  “I don’t think tanning beds should be used at all,” says Hamilton.

Tips for Parents

Tanning beds are an easy way to get a tan, but they also can be very harmful. While the process helps to give a tan without the burn, it may concentrate cancer-causing radiation on the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology advises against using tanning beds due to concerns about skin cancer and premature skin aging. Also, the ultraviolet light from tanning beds may:

• Cause eye burns if protective eyewear is not used.
• Worsen some chronic conditions such as lupus and diabetes.
• Interact with some common medicines, such as naproxen, that can cause increased sensitivity to light. This may cause a severe sunburn-like reaction or, in extreme cases, death.

If the beds are not cleaned well between users, tanning beds also may help spread diseases, such as genital warts. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report an estimated 700 emergency room visits per year related to tanning salon exposure.

Many people still relate suntanned skin with healthiness, but recent studies have shown otherwise. With the thinning of the ozone layer and increased ultraviolet light, exposure to the sun can be dangerous without proper protection. Ultraviolet rays damage skin cells, causing freckles, wrinkles, sunburn and even skin cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. UVA rays, a type of ultraviolet light, penetrate the skin deeply and are primarily responsible for premature wrinkling, while UVB rays are responsible for sunburn and skin cancer.

Sunburns received during childhood greatly increase the risk of developing melanoma, the most serious kind of skin cancer, according to the American Melanoma Foundation. Approximately 80 percent of this harmful exposure is received before age 20, although much of this damage doesn't show up until 20 or 30 years after the sun exposure. Here are some tips to help protect your child from damaging rays:

Use sunscreen – Make sure your child wears a minimum SPF 15 sunscreen whenever he/she is outside. It takes as little as 15 minutes of sun exposure to harm the skin, so keep a bottle of sunscreen by the door so he/she will remember to reapply whenever he/she goes out. Use waterproof sunscreen if he/she is at the pool or beach.

Cover up – Make sure your child wears protective clothing and hats when he/she is out in the sun. Choose light colors, which don't absorb heat as much as dark colors, and loose-fitting clothing made from tightly woven fabric.

Seek shade – When the sun's really glaring, especially between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., try to limit your child's sun exposure. Suggest a fun indoor activity, like making lemonade, or invite your child and his/her friends to come inside the house.

Protect the eyes – Wrap around sunglasses that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB light are best. Avoid mirrored sunglasses since they intensify the sun's rays.

Protect the lips – Lips can never tan, but they easily burn. Encourage your child to use protective lip balm every day and reapply it often.

Ban the tan – There's no such thing as a safe tan! Never allow your child to use tanning beds. If they would like the look of a tan, buy sunless tanning lotion. Or, if they want a rosy glow on their face, dust it with bronzing powder.

Watch out – If you notice any freckles, moles or other skin spots that grow larger than a pencil eraser or change shape or color, take your child to a dermatologist. Potentially dangerous skin problems usually can be treated successfully if caught early enough.

References

• American Academy of Dermatology
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Girl Power

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