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Streak Free Spring!

Spring is blooming, and sunlight has returned. Want to darken your complexion for spring? UV tanning beds increase the chance of developing melanoma by drastic amounts. Using self-tanner is a safer alternative that can deliver even better results.

Pick the Right Kind for You

Picking the right type of self-tanner is very important to the process. There are many different self- tanners to choose from, but they all have one thing in common, they are safer than a UV tanning bed. Be sure to read labels before purchasing as some may give quicker or darker results than others.

Before Application

Be sure to shower before application. Exfoliate your skin first to remove dead skin cells. This will provide for a smoother application with less streaks. Try using an in shower exfoliant for your body and face. It is also beneficial to shave your legs before application, as shaving after can wipe away applied tanning lotion.  After these steps, apply an oil- and fragrance-free lotion to your hands, the backs of your heels, and to your elbows and knees. These areas are typically dry and will absorb more pigment than other parts.

Application and After

Most self-tanners come in a foam or lotion form and are typically easy to apply. To avoid streaks and orange fingers, use a mitt for application. If you would prefer to not use a one, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after application to alleviate your hands of a potential orange color. Be sure to wipe off your nails using a cotton swab or makeup remover so no to ruin your nails. After application, try to wear loose fit clothing for 15-30 minutes or if you are in a hurry, use a blow dryer to help speed up the process.

Applying self- tanner can be scary but is safer than the alternative of the UV tanning bed. If you think self-application is not for you, book a spray tan with your local spray tan service. Just remember, stay out of UV tanning beds!

Safely Get That Summer Glow

Want to hit the beach with a summer glow? Don’t put your skin at risk by visiting the tanning bed. In fact, people who use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent. There are other ways to get the darker complexion you’re looking for this summer.

Self-tanners come in lotions and sprays. Rubbing self-tanner on your body darkens your skin over time with a color additive called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) that reacts with dead skin cells, simulating a tan. Be careful – the tanning won’t make your skin less susceptible to sunburns, so apply sunscreen when going outdoors. Also, be sure to exfoliate your skin before applying a sunless tanning product to remove excess dead skin cells.

Not only is using a sunless tanner significantly better for your health, it’s cheaper, too! Sunless tanners can be found at your pharmacy, other big-box stores and online. If you have questions about your skin, call (865)690-9467 to schedule an appointment with our dermatologists.

Sun Safety for Your Skin: It’s Really Not “All about That Base”

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When you visit the tanning salon before hitting the beach, you’re not just paying for a base tan. You’re also potentially putting your health in danger.

Indoor tanning is a risky, often addictive behavior among teens and adults alike. Yet, despite the long-term risks and warnings, around 30 million people visit the tanning salon every year, and 2.3 percent of those tanners are teens!

Indoor tanning increases your risk of developing skin cancer, premature wrinkles, eye damage, and immune suppression. Recent studies revealed a 59 percent increased chance of developing melanoma in individuals who had been exposed to the damaging rays of indoor tanning machines.

The idea that getting a base tan to avoid getting sunburned and reduce the risk of developing skin cancer isn’t based on research and is not endorsed by medical professionals. In fact, you don’t have to get sunburned to get skin cancer. Any exposure to UVA or UVB light from either an indoor tanning device or the sun can lead to skin cancer, so cover up and protect your skin next time you hit the beach!

Tanning Facts – Bottle, Bed or Sun (Part 2)

It’s hard not to associate summer with sunshine and tanning. We all covet that “healthy glow,” but what measures are we willing to take to get it? To make things easier for the tan-lovers out there, your Knoxville Dermatology team put together the facts about bottle, bed and sun tanning. In this entry, we’ll talk about tanning beds.

Bed:

Don’t be fooled by the tanning bed industry. They’ve fed us all lines about “healthy rays” and getting a “base tan” to keep from burning. But the truth is, tanning is just not a part of living a healthy life – whether it’s by bed or by sun.

Further research has shown us the dangers of tanning beds. Last year, the International Agency for Research on Cancer shifted indoor tanning beds to the highest cancer risk category – “carcinogenic to humans.” They cause users to become more vulnerable to melanoma; your risk increases 75% if used only once before the age of 35. Tanning is equivalent to a sunburn in terms of the effect on your skin, so despite developing a “base tan” or easing into it, you are still causing DNA damage to your skin.

Other consequences of indoor tanning are premature aging and wrinkles. Immune system suppression and eye damage are side effects that have also been linked to indoor tanning.

Now we don’t want to mislead you. We are not saying you should avoid the sun and UV rays at all costs. We’re simply saying you should understand the risks and monitor your sun and UV ray exposure. If you have any questions about tanning beds or UV rays, feel free to call us at 865-690-9467 or check out our blog for more information on tanning beds, UVA and UVB rays, SPF and more.