The Dangers of Tanning: Why You Should Avoid It

You’ve probably noticed people soaking up the sun whenever you hit the beach or passed by a tanning salon with folks lounging on tanning beds for hours. This popular trend is known as “tanning.” People associate tan skin with good health but you’d be surprised to know that it is quite the opposite of that. In this blog, we explore the health effects of tanning and how to take necessary precautions to protect your skin.

What Causes Tanning?

Tanning is caused by exposure to the Ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. These radiations cause genetic damage to our cells on the outermost layer of our skin. In order to cope with this, our skin produces melanin, which is a pigment that gives our skin that brown-ish color associated with a tan. Moreover, the dangers of tanning are cumulative starting with the very first tan.

Tanned Skin is Actually Damaged Skin

It is important to note that a tanned area on our skin is actually the DNA damage inflicted by the UV rays. While we may like how it looks, it is important to understand what’s at stake here. Tanning and skin cancer go hand-in-hand. Whether natural or artificial, it increases the chances of developing skin related diseases like especially melanoma. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer contributing to a vast majority of all skin cancer related deaths.

Dangers of Tanning on Your Health

Tanning poses a wide variety of risks to your health whether long or short-term. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in every 5 Americans develop skin cancer by the age of 70 and tanning plays a big role in these statistics. Apart from that, tanning also affects your appearance by causing your skin to become wrinkled and aged prematurely. Sometimes this can cause unsightly changes to your appearance.

How To Avoid Getting Sun Tanned?

It is favored by dermatologists and skin specialists to avoid tanning altogether. Your best bet is to protect your skin from getting exposed to the sun. Here are some tips and tricks you can apply to protect your skin from the dangers of tanning.

Wear Protective Clothing

Cover your body’s sensitive areas like your neck, eyes and head with protective clothing. Wear brim hats to cover your neck and head. Always wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. This is especially important when driving so that your vision is not compromised.

Apply Sunscreen Daily

Wear sunscreen every single time you go out no matter how long. Always ensure that the sunscreen has a good SPF value (i.e between 30-50) before applying it and make sure to reapply every 15-20 minutes or so. Moreover, apply sunscreen at least 15-20 minutes before exposure to make sure that it seeps into the skin. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen suited for your skin type for maximum protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Conclusion

Tanning has been popular for ages, still too many people are still in the dark about its dangers. The truth is, that glowy skin that we so deeply crave can come at a serious cost to your health. That’s why it’s crucial to raise awareness about the risks and prioritize protection from prolonged sun exposure for a long, healthy life.