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Tanning Facts – Bed, Bottle or Sun (Part 3)

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 outdoor tanning or sun tanning.

Sun:

We’ve mentioned the differences between UVA and UVB rays before, but let’s go a little more in depth. UVB rays affect your outer most layer of your epidermis (the upper layer of skin) and cause the painful sunburns we all know and love. UVA rays go deeper into the lower layers of your epidermis. They trigger cells called melanocytes to produce melanin, the pigment that causes tanning.

UVA rays may make you tan, but they can also cause serious damage because they penetrate deeper into the skin. UVA rays can go all the way through the skin’s protective epidermis to the dermis, where blood vessels and nerves are found. Because of this, UVA rays may damage your immune system. This makes it harder to fight off diseases and can lead to illnesses like melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Exposure to UVB rays also increases your risk of getting two other types of skin cancer: basal and squamous cell carcinoma.

Cancer isn’t the only problem associated with UV exposure. UV damage is a major proponent of premature skin aging like sunspots, wrinkles and decreases skin elasticity. It can also cause cataracts over time.

The easiest way to avoid all of the consequences of UV damage is prevention. The sun’s peak time is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. so be particularly cautious when outdoors in that time period. Wearing sunscreen on your face, neck and arms every day will help prevent premature aging. Also, you should perform annual skin checks at least once a month to make note of any changes in your skin. You can contact one of our certified dermatologists if you have any questions at 865-690-9467.

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.

Don’t Forget the SPF!

It’s a time for boots and scarfs, hats and coats, staying in and cuddling up. Just don’t let your sunscreen routine disappear – you may need it now more than ever!

During the warm summer months of sun and baring a little skin, it’s easy to remember your skin needs protecting. The heat hits our skin and signals us to lather up. In the winter, the heat that typically serves as our cue to use SPF has disappeared. But remember, the sun still burns in the winter. The UVA rays from the sun are the same strength year-round. The ozone layer even thins out during the winter and UV rays become more harmful. And once we see snow and ice, remember that they reflect the sun’s rays. So definitely lather up once the storms hit!

Because clothing and layers are likely to protect most parts of your skin, try to pay special attention to exposed areas such as your face, scalp and hands. Try using a moisturizer or lotion with sunscreen to stay protected. Prevent getting weather burn by using a product with SPF 30 or more.

Call us today at 865-690-9467 for help with your fall skincare routine or if you have any questions about your skin. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

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