When people use a tanning bed or booth or a sunlamp to get a tan, it's called indoor tanning. People may feel that a tan makes them look good and that a tan looks "healthy.
The light from a tanning device can cause skin cancer. Tanning devices are linked to basal cell cancer , squamous cell cancer , and the most serious type of cancer, melanoma. Indoor tanning, especially if used before age 35, increases your risk for all these skin cancers. Most of us have stayed out in the sun too long and gotten a sunburn at some point in our lives. But when this happens during childhood or the teen years, it can increase the risk for melanoma later in life.
And because of the risk for skin cancer, medical experts recommend that children 18 and younger not use indoor tanning at all. Some states have made it illegal for children 18 and younger to use indoor tanning. Even though indoor tanning isn't safe, some people still use it. But their reasons may not be valid. If you like the way a tan looks, you can buy sunless tanning products.
These are usually lotions, gels, and sprays that you put on the skin. These products color the skin to make it look like you have a tan. To keep your tan, reapply the tanning product regularly. If you use these products, cover your eyes, nose, mouth, and ears before you apply them. These products are generally safe, but they don't protect against sunburn.
You will still need to use sunscreen. There are also tanning pills. These are not safe. They can cause problems such as liver damage and hives.
Indoor tanning increases the risk of skin cancer. If you choose to use a tanning device, you can take steps to reduce your risk. People of all ages should avoid indoor tanning. If you like the look of tanned skin, choose a self-tanning product that contains the active ingredient dihydroxyacetone DHA.
This active ingredient has been approved by the U. You can find self-tanning products in the form of lotions, foams, wipes, and sprays. Most are fast-acting and will give your skin a darker appearance in a matter of a few hours. Do not use indoor tanning as your source for vitamin D.
You can get vitamins from a variety of food sources and dietary supplements. Foods that are rich in vitamin D include fish especially fatty fish , orange juice, milk, and some other dairy products.
Many cereals are also fortified with vitamin D. If you are going to be in the sun, wear protective clothing. Put on sunscreen every day, even on days when it is cloudy.
According to the U. Surgeon General, the majority of melanomas the worst form of skin cancer are estimated to be caused by UV exposure. Melanoma is responsible for the most skin-cancer-related deaths. Skin Cancer Foundation. Last Updated: September 18, This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
Atypical moles are not cancerous, but resemble melanoma. They appear in various shades of brown and have an irregular…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Food Poisoning. Acute Bronchitis. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. When you use a tanning bed, you put your eyes at risk for cataracts and ocular melanoma. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that tanning beds produce times more UV levels, or the expected intensity of ultraviolet radiation, than what you would get from the sun.
This can severely damage the external and internal structures of your eyes and eyelids. Studies have linked tanning bed use to an increased risk of all forms of skin cancers. Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and has the ability to spread to any organ.
When found early, melanoma is highly treatable, but you need to know what to look for. If a mole looks different than any others on your body, head to your dermatologist to check it out. A: Asymmetry : It looks different from one side to the other. B: Borders : The borders are irregular, have projections, missing areas or do not stop abruptly. C: Color : There is variation in color the mole is more than one color.
D: Diameter : Moles bigger than 6 mm, or the size of a pencil eraser, are more worrisome.
0コメント