The myth of the healthy tan
The myth of the healthy tan
Does a "base tan" help? Is there such a thing as a safe, healthy way to tan? A skin expert explains.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause skin damage, which can lead to wrinkles, skin spots and skin cancer.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are an invisible form of radiation. They can pass through your skin and damage your skin cells. Sunburns are a sign of skin damage. Suntans aren't healthy, either. They appear after the sun's rays have already killed some cells and damaged others. UV rays can cause skin damage during any season or at any temperature. They can also cause eye problems, wrinkles, skin spots and skin cancer.
To protect yourself:
- Stay out of the sun when it is strongest (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.)
- Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
- Wear protective clothing
- Wear wraparound sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV ray protection
- Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds
Check your skin regularly for changes in the size, shape, color or feel of birthmarks, moles and spots. Such changes are a sign of skin cancer.
Source: Food and Drug Administration
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