May is skin cancer awareness month. I will present some very interesting and concerning facts for you to ponder over. Many of you may be aware that there exists three types of rays emitted by the sun. These are UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC rays are absorbed by the ozone layer and never reach the earth. Both UVA and UVB penetrate the atmosphere and play a vital role in premature aging of the skin, eye damage such as cataracts, and skin cancers. These rays also suppress the immune system and reduce one’s ability to fight certain diseases.
It was once believed the UVB, longer rays, caused most of the skin cancers. Although these rays cause reddening and sunburn, they tend to damage the skin’s superficial layers and the development of skin cancer. Research findings have revealed that UVA rays, shorter rays, penetrate deeper and damage skin cells deep in the basal layers of the skin where most of the skin cancers occur. UVA is the dominant tanning ray. This applies to both indoor and outdoor tanning. A tan results from injury to the skin’s DNA. The skin darkens in an imperfect attempt to prevent further DNA damage. These mutations can lead to skin cancer.
Tanning booths emit UVA in doses as much as 12 times that of the sun. People who use tanning salons are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell cancers and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell cancers. According to recent research, first exposure to tanning beds in youths increases melanoma risk by 75%. Every year 2.3 million teens visit tanning salons. The World Health Organization notes that those who use tanning beds have a 15% higher risk of developing melanoma. Those who use tanning beds before age 35 increase the risk by 75%. Melanoma kills more than 8,000 people a year! According to the International Journal of Cancer, tanning beds do not offer any health benefits and they do not prevent sunburn. Many of you may have read my post on Facebook about the 17 year old who visited me in the dermatology clinic seeking treatment for acne. During a skin exam, I observed a dark mole behind her left knee. The biopsy findings revealed melanoma. She had been using the tanning bed since she was 12 years old.
So please think before you take that leap into the tanning bed. Spray tans yield a brown color to your skin. Many offer organic based products. You may contact us if you wish to have a spray tan done. So enjoy your summer and play safe in the sun. For more information visit my Facebook page, “Opal Escense Day Spa” or www.opalskin.com.
Opalescense will be at Winos and Tacos this Wednesday May 8th from 6 – 9 pm during the wine sampling to give away fantastic specials, goodie bags and a free spray tan!
