Your Health Matters
By Claudia Parks, R.N.

Claudia Parks, RN, is a former doctor's office and emergency room nurse and retired as an educator from Fulton County Schools. She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Claudia and her husband now live in the north Georgia Mountains, near Blairsville. Claudia can be reach at yhm@windstream.net

Now that summer is coming upon us, don't be in the DARK about TANNING. I always feel compelled to write about the dangers of a suntan- whether it was obtained indoors or outdoors! Some think turning light skin darker gives off an aura of good health. But a suntan actually signals skin damage- the result of injury to the epidermis- the top layer of your skin. When exposed to the sun's ultraviolet radiation, the skin produces a pigment called melanin to protect itself from burning. And while indoor or "sunless" tanning may seem like convenient alternatives, especially during the winter months, these practices are not risk-free. Before stepping into a tanning booth or buying over-the counter (OTC) tanning products, consider these facts.

Indoor tanning can be as harmful as outdoor tanning. More than 1 million people visit tanning salons on an average day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). But many don't know that indoor tanning devices, such as tanning beds and sunlamps, emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation that's similar to and sometimes more powerful than the sun. The Food and Drug Administration discourages the use of tanning beds and sunlamps.

Be wary of claims about "safe rays" because there is no such thing. Both types of ultraviolet light, UVB and UVA, can cause wrinkling and other signs of premature skin aging, skin cancer, and damage to the eyes and the immune system. The FDA enforces regulations related to the labeling and use of these products, while the Federal Trade Commission focuses on false, misleading and deceptive advertising claims.

Also remember that some medical conditions such as lupus and diabetes can make skin more sensitive to light, as can some drugs such as birth control pills and medications such as the antibiotic tetracycline.

Some sun tanning products do not contain sunscreen. It only takes a few bad sunburns to raise the risk of skin cancer, and skin damage builds up over years even when no burning occurs. This is why sunscreen, which blocks UVAand UVB, is recommended. The FDA has expressed concern about sun tanning products without sunscreen, and encourages consumers to check the labels. Tanning products without sunscreen must display a warning that the product does not protect against sunburn.

Sunscreen is regulated by the FDA as an OTC drug. Cosmetics that make sun-protection claims are regulated as both drugs and cosmetics. Look for products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more. The higher the number, the better the protection. Sunscreen should be liberally applied to skin 30 minutes before going out in the sun, and then every two hours after that.

DHA-containing sunless spray is approved only for external use. During the last few years, some companies have offered a sunless option that involves spraying customers in a tanning booth with the color additive dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA interacts with the dead surface cells in the outermost layer of the skin to darken skin color. DHA should not be inhaled, ingested, or used in such a way that the eyes and eye area are exposed.

DHA has been approved by the FDA for use as a tanner since 1977, and has typically been used in OTC lotions and creams. Its use is restricted to external application, which means that it shouldn't be sprayed in or on the mouth, eyes, or nose, says Linda Katz, M.D., director of the FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

There are no tanning pills approved by the FDA. Some companies have marketed tanning pills that contain the color additive canthaxanthin. When large amounts of canthaxanthin are ingested, the substance can turn the skin a range of colors, from orange to brown. The additive is not listed for use in tanning pills in the United States, but rather is approved for use as a food color additive, and only in small amounts.

These tanning pills have been associated with health problems, including an eye disorder called canthaxanthhin retinopathy. Liver injury and a severe itching condition called urticaria, have been reported according to the AAD.

Sun Facts:

Protecting your skin during the first 18 years of life can reduce the risk of some types of skin cancer by up to 78%.

Cataracts, once thought to be an inevitable part of aging, are also associated with UV exposure.

Avoid the sun during highintensity hours (10a.m.-4p.m.). Always use sunscreen- according to directions on the label. Wear protective clothing- cover your skin, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats.

You don't need to hide away indoors to protect your skin. Just be smart, and take precautions to keep your skin healthy for years to come.