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Please Don't Bake Yourself Beautiful

By:Dr. Tracey O'Neal


Posted 3 March 2006



Spring break season is just around the corner this is the time for us to get in the tanning bed and "bake ourselves beautiful". Over 1 million people a day visit tanning beds despite the fact that skin cancer and melanoma rates are on the rise.

No tanning is safe!!! Tanning beds emit both UVA and UVB rays; both are dangerous and lead to skin cancer. Also, they both increase the rate of aging. Tanning leads to a break down in collagen and elastin, these are needed to keep our skin plump, youthful and wrinkle free. Every time you tan you are doing cumulative damage to your skin increasing the rate of skin aging and skin cancer.

We need our vitamin D!!! It is true the sun does help our body to produce vitamin D. A little sun goes a long way...really just 5-10 minutes in the sun (not a tanning bed), just once a week gives us all the vitamin D we need. We can also get adequate levels of the vitamin by eating a well rounded diet rich in fish, milk and eggs.

What are the alternatives? There really are no alternatives to tanning. Using sunless self-tanning products and using bronzing make-up are certainly safe and can give you that "sunkissed" look. .

I feel good when I'm out in the sun! Its true tanning can make you feel good by increasing the endorphins (feel good hormones) in our bodies. If this is the case for you, find other ways to increase these hormones--exercise, meditate, laugh and play.

How can I protect myself? Obviously, don't tan or spend time in tanning beds. If you chose to spend time in the sun, be smart. Wear hats, use light cotton cover-ups, wear wide spectrum SPF 30 or greater and reapply, try not to bask in the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Also, some studies demonstrate using antioxidants such as vitamin C and Prevage (ibededone) can protect the skin from free radical damage caused by sun exposure.

I have sun damage...what do I do? First make sure your sun damage is not cancer. Visit your family doctor, skin care specialist, or dermatologist and have them inspect your skin. Usually cancer needs to be surgically removed or "frozen". If you have sun damage or precancer there are other options such as: PDT/ALA, 5-FU, Alpha Hydroxy Acids and retinoids. Of course, prevent further damage by using sunscreens and antioxidants.

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Dr. O'Neal is a family practice physician and the founder and medical director of Nu Yu Medical Aesthetics, a Toledo Ohio practice dedicated to anti-aging and skin rejuvenation techniques. www.nuyumed.com

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