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 By
Alicia Tamayo
Summer is almost here, and that means many of us will be
spending a lot more time outdoors. But with the beautiful,
warm weather also comes new dangers - dangers that many of
us either don't consider, or choose to ignore. The American
Academy of Dermatology has released a scary statistic that
you might want to remember next time you head outdoors - one
in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during
their lifetime. Skin cancer is the most common form
of cancer in the United States, yet nearly 30 million people
tan indoors in the U.S. every year choosing to ignore the
dangers.
Yes, choosing to ignore. A new online survey by the
American Academy of Dermatology found that 86% of females
who reported using an indoor tanning bed in the last year
knew it could increase the risk of skin cancer. And 48% of
the indoor tanners knew someone with skin cancer or someone
who'd had it! Nearly half of them also confessed to being
concerned about premature wrinkles from indoor tanning.
In other words, young tanners (14-22) care more about looking
good now than they do their future health. Most of the young
women (66%), especially the indoor tanners (87%), thought
people looked better with a bronzed body, according to the
survey of more than 3,800 white non-Hispanic females, ages
14 to 22.
 And
with summer just around the corner, more people will be looking
to get a tan on, whether it's inside a tanning bed or baking
in the hot summer sun. Of course we all would rather have
a nice summer glow over the pastey white look we've been sporting
all winter long, but at what expense?
People who use tanning beds are more than twice as likely
to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely
to develop basal cell carcinoma, but that doesn't mean you're
off the hook if you don't use indoor tanning beds. The UVA
and UVB rays from sun are no joke! UVA rays make up the majority
of our sun exposure, causing skin aging and wrinkling and
also contribute to skin cancer, such as melanoma. The sun
is the number one cause of prematurely aging skin - up to
90 percent of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging
are caused by the sun. UVB rays can also be dangerous, causing
sunburns and cataracts, and are also associated with skin
cancer.
You don't have to avoid the sun completely, but you should
definitely stay away from tanning beds as well as baking for
hours in the sun. You are exposed to enough UV rays as it
is. Protect your skin and your health with these tips:
1. Apply sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher 15 to 30 minutes
before going outdoors. Lather on enough so that it takes a
full minute to rub in. Don't forget to apply to your face,
especially around the eyes which are the most sensitive.
2. Squinting too much can also lead to unwanted wrinkles
around the eyes, so don't forget a good pair of sunglasses
with UVA and UVB protection.
3. It's especially important for children to be protected.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that all kids
- regardless of their skin tone - wear sunscreen with an SPF
of 30 or higher. Although dark skin has more protective melanin
and tans more easily than it burns, tanning is also a sign
of sun damage.
4. If you swim, sweat or are outdoors for a long time, reapply
every two hours. Also, choose a sunscreen that is water resistant
and provides a broad-spectrum protection.
5. Babies under six months of age should never be exposed
to the sun.
Tips for treating a sunburn from the Skin Cancer Foundation:
1. Drink water, juice or sports drinks to replace body fluids.
2. Take acetaminophen if you have a headache, slight fever
or chills.
3. Take a cool bath in tepid water to soothe and cool the
skin.
4. Gently apply a light moisturizer to the skin.
5. Stay out of the sun until the burn fades.
6. If you are running a fever, see a doctor, as that would
indicate possible heatstroke
7. Above all, the next time you are in the sun, do not burn!
Okay, but what about getting that golden, summer glow!? The
safest, healthiest way to have a great tan is to fake it!
Seriously, there are so many self-tanning products on the
market these days that there really is no excuse to be seen
baking in the sun all day. Try Jergens Natural Glow, which
comes in different shades for the body and face. It gives
you a gradual, natural tan without streaks or that fake tan
look. L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning is another user
favorite. Try different products and find one that works best
for you...you're skin will thank you!
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