Getting a tan can be easy and may appear to be healthy, but sitting out in the sun to get that tan raises risks of skin cancer and possible skin damage.
Now there are more sunless tanning products than ever, which are safer.
Sunless tanning has become a trend in South Beach, where the need to be a shade darker is an unhealthy obsession.
Products priced from $6.99 to $9.99 offer darker skin without the risks of real tanning and they can be bought at a local drugstore.
Every sunless tanner includes the only Food and Drug Administration approved ingredient for such products called dihydroxyacetone.
Whether the product is a spray-on or bottled lotion, it will always contain the same ingredient.
The majority of moisturizers require daily use for a week to see the full effect. Lauren Granado tested Sundial Adjustable Color self tanner twice in one day, choosing a darker setting the second time.
While the label on the product says that color will develop in two to three hours, Granado said she noticed no change.
"I think I look the exact same," Granado said.
In response, a spokesperson for Banana Boat said a small percentage of people don't have responses to these sunless tanning products.
"However, we have tested this product in 400 consumers and over 90 percent claimed they loved the color they got," the spokesperson said.
University of Miami dermatologist Dr. Leslie Baumann said exfoliating before applying any sunless product is necessary.
"So if you do not exfoliate, your skin has heaps and valleys of dead cells. The heaps will take up more color than the valleys," said Baumann.
The chemical reaction that results in the color change can also cause an unpleasant odor.
The odor eventually will fade and so does the tan but, with sunless tanning products, all you need to do is reapply.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Sunscreens are...
Sunscreens are chemical agents that help prevent the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, damage the skin and increase your risk of skin cancer. UVB is the chief culprit behind sunburn, while UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply, are associated with wrinkling, leathering, sagging, and other effects of photoaging. They also exacerbate the carcinogenic effects of UVB rays, and increasingly are being seen as a cause of skin cancer on their own. Sunscreens vary in their ability to protect against UVA and UVB.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Everyone should ask these 4 questions
Everyone should see a dermatologist once a year. Spring is a great time to go, to get advice on sun protection and to have your skin examined before the beach weather begins. Here are five topics that you should discuss with your physician.
What Is My Skin Type?
Your skin type, which depends on the amount of natural protection your skin provides you, is a key factor when determining your risk of developing skin cancer. If you don’t know your own skin type, check out our skin type guide.
What Is My Risk for Skin Cancer?
Skin type isn’t the only thing to consider when determining skin cancer risk. Family history, childhood sun exposure, personal skin cancer history and other factors all play a part in determining your overall risk. If you’re not familiar with your family’s medical history, consider contacting family members to find out if there is a history of melanoma in your family tree.
Do I Need to Examine My Own Skin?
A monthly skin check is a crucial part of skin cancer early detection, although it should not replace a yearly professional skin exam. You want to be as thorough as possible, so follow our step-by-step guide.
What Should I Look For?
There are three major types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Each has different symptoms, and pose different risks. Learn to recognize the warning signs of BCC, SCC and melanoma.
Remember, the summer brings longer days and more intense sunlight, which adds up to more UV exposure. Check out our skin cancer prevention tips and stay sun-safe all summer.
source- Skin Cancer Foundation
What Is My Skin Type?
Your skin type, which depends on the amount of natural protection your skin provides you, is a key factor when determining your risk of developing skin cancer. If you don’t know your own skin type, check out our skin type guide.
What Is My Risk for Skin Cancer?
Skin type isn’t the only thing to consider when determining skin cancer risk. Family history, childhood sun exposure, personal skin cancer history and other factors all play a part in determining your overall risk. If you’re not familiar with your family’s medical history, consider contacting family members to find out if there is a history of melanoma in your family tree.
Do I Need to Examine My Own Skin?
A monthly skin check is a crucial part of skin cancer early detection, although it should not replace a yearly professional skin exam. You want to be as thorough as possible, so follow our step-by-step guide.
What Should I Look For?
There are three major types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Each has different symptoms, and pose different risks. Learn to recognize the warning signs of BCC, SCC and melanoma.
Remember, the summer brings longer days and more intense sunlight, which adds up to more UV exposure. Check out our skin cancer prevention tips and stay sun-safe all summer.
source- Skin Cancer Foundation
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Do you know what photoaging is?
Over time, skin ages and loses its youthful appearance. Wrinkles appear around the eyes, fine lines bloom around the lips, and age spots surface on the hands. While some of these factors are natural and unavoidable, many of the visible signs of aging are caused by the sun, and can be avoided.
Skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis, or outermost layer; the dermis, or middle layer; and the subcutis, or basement layer. The dermis contains collagen, elastin, and other fibers that support the skin's structure. It is these elements that give skin its smooth and youthful appearance – and that are damaged by UV radiation (UVR).
The UVR that affects the skin is composed of two different types of waves, UVA and UVB. When UVR hits the skin, cells in the dermis scramble to produce melanin to the epidermis. This is the process that gives you a tan, which is really just your skin attempting to block the radiation from penetrating your skin.
UVB rays are shorter than UVA rays, and are the main culprit behind sunburn. But it is the UVA rays, with their longer wavelength, that are responsible for much of the damage we associate with photoaging. UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis, where they damage the collagen fibers. This damage causes increased production of abnormal elastin. The unusual amounts of elastin result in the production of enzymes called metalloproteinases. These enzymes, which rebuild damaged collagen, often malfunction and degrade the collagen, resulting in incorrectly rebuilt skin. As this process is repeated with daily UVA exposure, the incorrectly rebuilt skin forms wrinkles, and the depleted collagen results in leathery skin.
Repeated sun exposure can also cause what are commonly called age spots, or liver spots. They don't have anything to do with your liver, but have everything to do with sun. An ‘age spot' is actually a solar lentigo - a small bit of pigmentation caused by sun exposure. Age spots are usually found on the hands, arms, and face, and on the back in men.
The best way to combat photoaging is through prevention. Daily application of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to areas vulnerable to photoaging will not only help prevent photoaging, but can reverse some of the signs you might already have. And reducing your exposure to UV radiation will lower your risk of developing skin cancer or precancer.
Skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis, or outermost layer; the dermis, or middle layer; and the subcutis, or basement layer. The dermis contains collagen, elastin, and other fibers that support the skin's structure. It is these elements that give skin its smooth and youthful appearance – and that are damaged by UV radiation (UVR).
The UVR that affects the skin is composed of two different types of waves, UVA and UVB. When UVR hits the skin, cells in the dermis scramble to produce melanin to the epidermis. This is the process that gives you a tan, which is really just your skin attempting to block the radiation from penetrating your skin.
UVB rays are shorter than UVA rays, and are the main culprit behind sunburn. But it is the UVA rays, with their longer wavelength, that are responsible for much of the damage we associate with photoaging. UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis, where they damage the collagen fibers. This damage causes increased production of abnormal elastin. The unusual amounts of elastin result in the production of enzymes called metalloproteinases. These enzymes, which rebuild damaged collagen, often malfunction and degrade the collagen, resulting in incorrectly rebuilt skin. As this process is repeated with daily UVA exposure, the incorrectly rebuilt skin forms wrinkles, and the depleted collagen results in leathery skin.
Repeated sun exposure can also cause what are commonly called age spots, or liver spots. They don't have anything to do with your liver, but have everything to do with sun. An ‘age spot' is actually a solar lentigo - a small bit of pigmentation caused by sun exposure. Age spots are usually found on the hands, arms, and face, and on the back in men.
The best way to combat photoaging is through prevention. Daily application of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to areas vulnerable to photoaging will not only help prevent photoaging, but can reverse some of the signs you might already have. And reducing your exposure to UV radiation will lower your risk of developing skin cancer or precancer.
Compliments of the Skin Cancer Foundation
Friday, July 20, 2007
Indoor Tanning Contributes To Increased Incidence Of Skin Cancer
According to a 2005 survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology, 92 percent of the respondents understood that getting a tan from the sun is dangerous. Yet, 65 percent said that they think they look better when they have a tan.
In a quest to get a "sunless" tan, almost 30 million Americans visit indoor tanning salons each year. On an average day, more than 1 million Americans visit tanning salons. Of these, 70 percent are Caucasian girls and women between the ages of 16 and 49. More than 25 percent of teen girls have used tanning salons three or more times in their lives.
While many people believe that tanning at a tanning salon is a safer alternative to sunbathing, this is not the case, according to an article published in the December 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
"Indoor tanning is simply not safe," said dermatologist James M. Spencer, M.D., one of the authors of the article. "A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) showed that there were 700 emergency room visits because of injuries like sunburns, infections, and eye damage from tanning bed use. In addition to these immediate injuries, tanning bed users have an increased risk of developing skin cancer, including the most deadly form, melanoma, in the long term."
An elevated skin cancer risk is one of the most serious side effects of indoor tanning. In one study that the authors reviewed, 106,973 women from Norway and Sweden were followed for an average of eight years. Overall, regular tanning bed use was associated with a 55 percent increase in the risk of developing melanoma, especially in women between the ages of 20 and 29.
"Indoor tanning is practiced solely for cosmetic reasons," Dr. Spencer said. "Individuals who utilize tanning beds are intentionally putting their health at risk."
Recently, medical organizations have been taking a harder look at indoor tanning. In March 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that no persons under the age of 18 use tanning beds.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (Association) fully supports this recommendation and encourages states to actively pursue legislation that protects children.
Specifically, the Association supports the following requirements for indoor tanning salons: No minor should be permitted to use tanning devices. A Surgeon General's warning should be placed on all tanning devices.
No person or facility should advertise the use of any ultraviolet A or ultraviolet B tanning device using wording such as "safe," "safe tanning," "no harmful rays," "no adverse effect," or similar wording or concepts."The volume of research we reviewed confirms that indoor tanning is a dangerous practice and poses great risks to a person's health," Dr. Spencer said. "There is no reason to participate in this activity."
More than 10,500 people will die from skin cancer in 2005. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary cause of skin cancer. Indoor tanning lamps can emit both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation at high levels and the new high-pressure UVA sunlamps can emit doses of UVA that can be as much as 15 times that of the sun, significantly increasing a tanning bed user's skin cancer risk.
"If you really want to look tan, consider using a sunless self-tanning product," Dr. Spencer said. "But remember to use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 with it."
About the Academy's Survey
The study results were determined by a random sample telephone survey conducted among a national probability sample of 1,013 adults comprising 505 men and 508 women 18 years of age and older, living in private households inthe continental United States.
The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 14,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails.
In a quest to get a "sunless" tan, almost 30 million Americans visit indoor tanning salons each year. On an average day, more than 1 million Americans visit tanning salons. Of these, 70 percent are Caucasian girls and women between the ages of 16 and 49. More than 25 percent of teen girls have used tanning salons three or more times in their lives.
While many people believe that tanning at a tanning salon is a safer alternative to sunbathing, this is not the case, according to an article published in the December 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
"Indoor tanning is simply not safe," said dermatologist James M. Spencer, M.D., one of the authors of the article. "A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) showed that there were 700 emergency room visits because of injuries like sunburns, infections, and eye damage from tanning bed use. In addition to these immediate injuries, tanning bed users have an increased risk of developing skin cancer, including the most deadly form, melanoma, in the long term."
An elevated skin cancer risk is one of the most serious side effects of indoor tanning. In one study that the authors reviewed, 106,973 women from Norway and Sweden were followed for an average of eight years. Overall, regular tanning bed use was associated with a 55 percent increase in the risk of developing melanoma, especially in women between the ages of 20 and 29.
"Indoor tanning is practiced solely for cosmetic reasons," Dr. Spencer said. "Individuals who utilize tanning beds are intentionally putting their health at risk."
Recently, medical organizations have been taking a harder look at indoor tanning. In March 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that no persons under the age of 18 use tanning beds.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (Association) fully supports this recommendation and encourages states to actively pursue legislation that protects children.
Specifically, the Association supports the following requirements for indoor tanning salons: No minor should be permitted to use tanning devices. A Surgeon General's warning should be placed on all tanning devices.
No person or facility should advertise the use of any ultraviolet A or ultraviolet B tanning device using wording such as "safe," "safe tanning," "no harmful rays," "no adverse effect," or similar wording or concepts."The volume of research we reviewed confirms that indoor tanning is a dangerous practice and poses great risks to a person's health," Dr. Spencer said. "There is no reason to participate in this activity."
More than 10,500 people will die from skin cancer in 2005. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary cause of skin cancer. Indoor tanning lamps can emit both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation at high levels and the new high-pressure UVA sunlamps can emit doses of UVA that can be as much as 15 times that of the sun, significantly increasing a tanning bed user's skin cancer risk.
"If you really want to look tan, consider using a sunless self-tanning product," Dr. Spencer said. "But remember to use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 with it."
About the Academy's Survey
The study results were determined by a random sample telephone survey conducted among a national probability sample of 1,013 adults comprising 505 men and 508 women 18 years of age and older, living in private households inthe continental United States.
The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 14,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The SCF's view on tanning salons
Indoor tanning is big business, with tanning trade publications reporting this as a $2 billion-a-year industry in the United States. According to industry estimates, 28 million Americans are tanning indoors annually at about 25,000 tanning salons around the country. In fact, a recent study of more than 10,000 teens across the US found that tanning bed use was increasing, especially among adolescent girls.
This does not bode well for the health of the nation. In 1994, a Swedish study found that women 18-30 years old who visited tanning parlors 10 times or more a year had seven times greater incidence of melanoma than women who did not use tanning salons. In another study, people exposed to 10 full-body tanning salon sessions had a significant increase in skin repair proteins typically associated with sun damage, indicating that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from indoor tanning is as dangerous as UV from the sun. And in 2002, a study from Dartmouth Medical School found that tanning device users had 2.5 times the risk of squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times the risk of basal cell carcinoma . And yet, even with all this evidence, the tanning salons remain unrepentant.
The tanning industry relies on two misleading arguments: first, that since melanoma is mainly caused by sunburn, "controlled" tanning helps prevent melanoma by building up the protective pigment melanin; second, that UV exposure makes the skin produce vitamin D, which helps prevent breast, prostate and colon cancer, as well as other diseases.
Medical experts refute these arguments. They point out that our diet (especially vitamin D-rich foods such as dairy products and salmon) generally provides all the vitamin D we need. Furthermore, tanning to increase melanin is counterproductive. Tanning, like burning, causes genetic damage to skin cells. "You can't protect the skin by damaging it," said James M. Spencer, MD, director of dermatologic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. "Tanning not only increases the risk for melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but accelerates skin aging."
There have been several attempts made to regulate the industry, by physician groups as well as state and national congresspeople and the World Health Organization, with limited success. The FDA is weighing stricter controls over tanning devices, but has not yet instituted any changes. The tanning industry has fought all of these measures. "Tanning manufacturers and salon owners keep lobbying the FDA and state agencies to soften regulations, claiming that tanning is healthful," said Dr. Spenser.
Unfortunately, even when regulation has occurred, it hasn't solved the problems. "Regulation can't make tanning safe," declared Michael Franzblau, MD, clinical professor of dermatology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco. "Banning salons is the only answer."
He should know, because he was instrumental in the passage of legislation regulating tanning facilities in California. The law, passed in 1988, unfortunately had no mechanism for registration of tanning parlors or collection of fees from owners. "Hence, there is no enforcement," notes Dr. Franzblau.
Some states require salons to provide UV-protective eyewear or have machine operators remain present throughout a client's session. Others require a sign on the booth warning people who always sunburn that tanning puts them at high risk for skin damage. Whatever the regulations, says Dr. Franzblau, there's no assurance they will be complied with. "I've taken teams of scientists into salons where not one requirement was being followed." Other studies have shown that tanning salons frequently exceed "safe" UV limits. The average salon patron in North Carolina was recently found to exceed FDA limits by 95 percent.
Is banning salons outright the only answer? Dr. Franzblau believes that eliminating tanning salons "would be 100 percent more effective" than regulating them. And it could save millions of lives.
source Skin Cancer Foundation
This does not bode well for the health of the nation. In 1994, a Swedish study found that women 18-30 years old who visited tanning parlors 10 times or more a year had seven times greater incidence of melanoma than women who did not use tanning salons. In another study, people exposed to 10 full-body tanning salon sessions had a significant increase in skin repair proteins typically associated with sun damage, indicating that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from indoor tanning is as dangerous as UV from the sun. And in 2002, a study from Dartmouth Medical School found that tanning device users had 2.5 times the risk of squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times the risk of basal cell carcinoma . And yet, even with all this evidence, the tanning salons remain unrepentant.
The tanning industry relies on two misleading arguments: first, that since melanoma is mainly caused by sunburn, "controlled" tanning helps prevent melanoma by building up the protective pigment melanin; second, that UV exposure makes the skin produce vitamin D, which helps prevent breast, prostate and colon cancer, as well as other diseases.
Medical experts refute these arguments. They point out that our diet (especially vitamin D-rich foods such as dairy products and salmon) generally provides all the vitamin D we need. Furthermore, tanning to increase melanin is counterproductive. Tanning, like burning, causes genetic damage to skin cells. "You can't protect the skin by damaging it," said James M. Spencer, MD, director of dermatologic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. "Tanning not only increases the risk for melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but accelerates skin aging."
There have been several attempts made to regulate the industry, by physician groups as well as state and national congresspeople and the World Health Organization, with limited success. The FDA is weighing stricter controls over tanning devices, but has not yet instituted any changes. The tanning industry has fought all of these measures. "Tanning manufacturers and salon owners keep lobbying the FDA and state agencies to soften regulations, claiming that tanning is healthful," said Dr. Spenser.
Unfortunately, even when regulation has occurred, it hasn't solved the problems. "Regulation can't make tanning safe," declared Michael Franzblau, MD, clinical professor of dermatology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco. "Banning salons is the only answer."
He should know, because he was instrumental in the passage of legislation regulating tanning facilities in California. The law, passed in 1988, unfortunately had no mechanism for registration of tanning parlors or collection of fees from owners. "Hence, there is no enforcement," notes Dr. Franzblau.
Some states require salons to provide UV-protective eyewear or have machine operators remain present throughout a client's session. Others require a sign on the booth warning people who always sunburn that tanning puts them at high risk for skin damage. Whatever the regulations, says Dr. Franzblau, there's no assurance they will be complied with. "I've taken teams of scientists into salons where not one requirement was being followed." Other studies have shown that tanning salons frequently exceed "safe" UV limits. The average salon patron in North Carolina was recently found to exceed FDA limits by 95 percent.
Is banning salons outright the only answer? Dr. Franzblau believes that eliminating tanning salons "would be 100 percent more effective" than regulating them. And it could save millions of lives.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Modern methods of tanning
The first stage is the preparation for tanning. The second stage is the actual tanning and other chemical treatment. The third stage applies finishing to the surface.
Preparing hides begins by curing them with salt. In wet-salting, the hides are heavily salted, then pressed into packs for about 30 days. In brine-curing the hides are agitated in a salt water bath for about 16 hours. The hides are then soaked in clean water to remove the salt and a lime/water solution to loosen the hair. The majority of hair is then removed using a machine with remaining hair being removed by hand using a dull knife, a process known as scudding. Depending on the end use of the leather, hides may be treated with enzymes to soften them.
Tanning can be performed with either vegetable or mineral methods. Before tanning, the skins are unhaired, degreased, desalted and soaked in water over a period of 6 hours to 2 days. To prevent damage of the skin by bacterial growth during the soaking period, biocides, such as pentachlorophenol, are used.
Vegetable tanning uses tannin, this is where the name tanning comes from. Tannin occurs naturally in bark. The primary barks used in modern times are chestnut, oak, tanoak, hemlock, quebracho, mangrove, wattle and myrobalan. Hides are stretched on frames and immersed for several weeks in vats of increasing concentrations of tannin. Vegetable tanned hide is flexible and is used for luggage and furniture.
Mineral tanning usually uses chromium. In the raw state chrome tanned skins are blue and therefore referred to as "wet blue". Chrome tanning is faster than vegetable tanning (less than a day for this part of the process) and produces a stretchable leather which is excellent for use in handbags and garments. (Encarta, 2003)
Depending on the finish desired, the hide may be waxed, rolled, lubricated, injected with oil, split, shaved and, of course, dyed. Suedes, Nubucks, etc. are finished by raising the nap of the leather by rolling with a rough surface.
Preparing hides begins by curing them with salt. In wet-salting, the hides are heavily salted, then pressed into packs for about 30 days. In brine-curing the hides are agitated in a salt water bath for about 16 hours. The hides are then soaked in clean water to remove the salt and a lime/water solution to loosen the hair. The majority of hair is then removed using a machine with remaining hair being removed by hand using a dull knife, a process known as scudding. Depending on the end use of the leather, hides may be treated with enzymes to soften them.
Tanning can be performed with either vegetable or mineral methods. Before tanning, the skins are unhaired, degreased, desalted and soaked in water over a period of 6 hours to 2 days. To prevent damage of the skin by bacterial growth during the soaking period, biocides, such as pentachlorophenol, are used.
Vegetable tanning uses tannin, this is where the name tanning comes from. Tannin occurs naturally in bark. The primary barks used in modern times are chestnut, oak, tanoak, hemlock, quebracho, mangrove, wattle and myrobalan. Hides are stretched on frames and immersed for several weeks in vats of increasing concentrations of tannin. Vegetable tanned hide is flexible and is used for luggage and furniture.
Mineral tanning usually uses chromium. In the raw state chrome tanned skins are blue and therefore referred to as "wet blue". Chrome tanning is faster than vegetable tanning (less than a day for this part of the process) and produces a stretchable leather which is excellent for use in handbags and garments. (Encarta, 2003)
Depending on the finish desired, the hide may be waxed, rolled, lubricated, injected with oil, split, shaved and, of course, dyed. Suedes, Nubucks, etc. are finished by raising the nap of the leather by rolling with a rough surface.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Got That Hot Feeling?
If you're out in the hot sun, or you're exercising on a hot day, it's easy to get heat exhaustion. Kids get heat exhaustion when their bodies can't cool themselves fast enough. A kid with heat exhaustion might feel overheated, tired, and weak.
Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly. A person may just collapse when playing soccer or tennis, for example. It can leave a person feeling really tired for days after it happens.
Heat stroke is a more serious heat-related illness and can cause a person to stop sweating, to have red, hot skin, and to have a high temperature.
The person might become uncoordinated, confused, or even lose consciousness. It requires emergency medical attention.
Be sure to tell an adult if you're hot and you have a headache or feel dizzy or nauseous (like you're going to throw up). The grown-up will want to get you out of the sun, give you liquids to drink, and take you to a doctor, if necessary.
The good news is that the sun doesn't have to be your enemy if you wear your sunscreen, drink your water, and take breaks when you start to feel too hot. And don't forget your sunglasses. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun, they make you look so cool!
Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly. A person may just collapse when playing soccer or tennis, for example. It can leave a person feeling really tired for days after it happens.
Heat stroke is a more serious heat-related illness and can cause a person to stop sweating, to have red, hot skin, and to have a high temperature.
The person might become uncoordinated, confused, or even lose consciousness. It requires emergency medical attention.
Be sure to tell an adult if you're hot and you have a headache or feel dizzy or nauseous (like you're going to throw up). The grown-up will want to get you out of the sun, give you liquids to drink, and take you to a doctor, if necessary.
The good news is that the sun doesn't have to be your enemy if you wear your sunscreen, drink your water, and take breaks when you start to feel too hot. And don't forget your sunglasses. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun, they make you look so cool!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
How Tanning Happens
The sun's rays contain two types of ultraviolet radiation that reach your skin: UVA and UVB. UVB radiation burns the upper layers of skin (the epidermis), causing sunburns.
UVA radiation is what makes people tan. UVA rays penetrate to the lower layers of the epidermis, where they trigger cells called melanocytes (pronounced: mel-an-oh-sites) to produce melanin. Melanin is the brown pigment that causes tanning.
Melanin is the body's way of protecting skin from burning. Darker-skinned people tan more deeply than lighter-skinned people because their melanocytes produce more melanin. But just because a person doesn't burn does not mean that he or she is also protected against skin cancer and other problems.
UVA radiation is what makes people tan. UVA rays penetrate to the lower layers of the epidermis, where they trigger cells called melanocytes (pronounced: mel-an-oh-sites) to produce melanin. Melanin is the brown pigment that causes tanning.
Melanin is the body's way of protecting skin from burning. Darker-skinned people tan more deeply than lighter-skinned people because their melanocytes produce more melanin. But just because a person doesn't burn does not mean that he or she is also protected against skin cancer and other problems.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Are tanning beds safer?
Tanning salon owners say tanning machines are safer than outdoor tanning for two reasons: 1) they mainly use UVA rays, and 2) they offer more "controlled" UV exposure. However, we know now that UVA is a carcinogen, and studies have revealed that tanning salons frequently exceed "safe" UV limits. Study after study has shown that sunbed tanning increases the risk of both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.
The facts bear out: There is no such thing as a safe tan. However, there are safe alternatives in sunless tanners. Being informed about how to protect yourself from unwanted sun exposure is the best defense against skin cancer and photoaging.
Tanning salon owners say tanning machines are safer than outdoor tanning for two reasons: 1) they mainly use UVA rays, and 2) they offer more "controlled" UV exposure. However, we know now that UVA is a carcinogen, and studies have revealed that tanning salons frequently exceed "safe" UV limits. Study after study has shown that sunbed tanning increases the risk of both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.
The facts bear out: There is no such thing as a safe tan. However, there are safe alternatives in sunless tanners. Being informed about how to protect yourself from unwanted sun exposure is the best defense against skin cancer and photoaging.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Tanning is better than getting sunburnt..., right?
Both are dangerous, because both result from DNA damage to the skin cells. It is true that sunburn has been directly linked to melanoma – one blistering sunburn more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life. It is usually thought that lifetime sun exposure is responsible for increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, while both intense, intermittent sun exposure – the pattern that is traditionally linked to melanoma – and lifetime exposure are believed to be involved in the development of basal cell carcinoma. However, studies have also shown a marked increase in melanoma incidence in people who have developed either squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma. Scientists are still trying to determine the exact exposure pattern behind the development of the different types of skin cancer, but it is safe to say that both burning and tanning play major roles in skin cancer.
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