Tame your tanning habits – tanning beds deemed risky and melanoma on the rise.

Excessive sun exposure can place you at a higher risk of developing skin cancers – and so can the use of tanning beds or booths. The American Academy of Dermatology states that your risk of developing the deadly form, known as Melanoma, increases to 59 % if you have been exposed to the UV radiation emitted by indoor tanning equipment. Melanoma rates have been steadily rising in the U.S.

The FDA recently release a statement that they will now require black box warnings to appear on sunlamp and similar machines, to warn the public of the health risks associated with their use. The FDA is also recommending that tanning lamps not be used in children under the age of 18 years, in addition to advising all users to get regular skin cancer checks.

Sunset Beach - Los Angeles, CA by Carole Jakucs, 2014.
Image subject to copyright.

In addition to skin cancer, too much natural sun exposure and tanning lamp use can cause eye injuries, sunburns and premature wrinkling.You may want to sunset your current tanning habits that may be placing your health at risk and limit your exposure to the both indoor and outdoor tanning. 

If you like a tanned appearance, consider using self tanning lotions, liquid bronzers and/or bronzing powder on your face and body. These can provide a tanned look without exposing yourself to radiation. 

If you're outdoors, don't forget to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, reapply often and limit your exposure during the hours of 10 am to 3 pm.

12 Tips on Sun Safety

Being aware of the dangers of too much sun exposure is important. The risks of too much sunlight and/or tanning bed exposure for your skin are: Skin cancer, sunburns and premature wrinkling/aging of the skin. Regardless of where you live or the season, the potential for overexposure is there. Here are twelve helpful tips to help protect you.

Photo by Carole Jakucs; view of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Image subject to copyright.

1. Look for the words, “Broad Spectrum,” on the label of your sunscreen, for the fullest protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
2. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more, 30 or more is better to prevent sunburns.
3. Stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM when the sun is the strongest.
4. Use a, “Water Resistant,” sunscreen.
5. Reapply every hour, especially if you’re sweating or swimming because sunscreen wears off quickly when the skin is wet.
6. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen to all areas of skin that are exposed to the sun.
7. Don’t forget to cover these spots too: The bottoms of your feet, back of your neck, ears cartilage and top of the head if you have any balding areas/hair loss.
8. Remember your lips: Get a special sunscreen product formulated for the lips.
9. A good brand of sunglasses that protect against both UVA and UVB rays will help to reduce your risk of developing cataracts.
10. Wear a hat (with a brim) or sun-visor – to help cover your head and face in addition to sunscreen.
11. Burns and sun damage to our skin occurs even on cloudy days so protect yourself from premature wrinkling, skin cancer and sunburns, even if it’s cloudy.
12. If you’re prone to skin allergies, look for fragrance free or hypoallergenic sunscreen products to reduce your chances of an allergic reaction.

Tip # 3 - 3 Tips to Prevent Skin Cancer – Healthy Food

Can skin cancer be prevented, or, your risk reduced by eating certain foods? Various foods, vitamins and nutrients are being examined to determine just that. The jury is still out regarding this and skin cancer; however, some studies suggest they may offer some protection. In the interim, you can gain numerous health benefits by consuming a diet that contains a variety of colorful fresh fruits and vegetables every day from improved heart and brain health, stronger and better looking skin and a reduced risk of some cancers.

Here’s a list of a few vitamins and nutrients that are good for your skin and health in general:

Vitamin A and Beta Carotene – Found in carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe

Vitamin B – Found in eggs, chicken, nuts, fish

Vitamin C – Found in oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, cantaloupe

Lycopene – Found in tomatoes, tomato paste, ketchup

Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Fatty fish and nuts

Remember to: Drink enough water especially during the hot summer months and with increased physical activity. You’ll feel and look better. Also, try to minimize your exposure to pesticide laden produce whenever possible and buy organic when you can.  All produce needs to be washed well before consuming.


More tips to help prevent skin cancer:
Conduct a monthly examination of your skin along with:

Monitoring Your Moles -Tip # 1 at:  http://carole-jakucs.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-tips-to-prevent-skin-cancer-monitor.html   

and learning to become: 
Savvy about Sun Safety - Tip # 2 at:  http://carole-jakucs.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-tips-to-prevent-skin-cancer-savvy-sun.html  

Tip # 2 - 3 Tips to Prevent Skin Cancer – Savvy Sun Safety

Tip # 2:  Being sun safety savvy is one of the best ways to help prevent skin cancer. The following are "need to know" tips on how to do so:

• SPF of 30 or more - SPF means sun protection factor.  Sunscreen with a strength of 30 is the minimum amount considered to give you a fighting chance against the damaging rays and to help prevent over exposure to the sun.
• Broad Spectrum – Use broad spectrum as this term is necessary (must appear on the package label) to ensure you’re getting protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
• Reapply every hour – The term “waterproof” is no longer allowed by the FDA.  If you’re sweating or swimming, your product is wearing off. Reapplying every hour helps to ensure you’re covered.
• Use enough – Apply a generous amount to all areas exposed.  Research has shown that most of us don’t use enough.
• Cover all exposed areas – And don’t forget the bottoms of your feet (if you’re lying on your tummy in the sun), the back of your neck, ears, and top of the head for anyone who has balding areas.
• Use lip products that contain suncreen (SPF) of 30 or more, to help protect delicate lips from overexposure.
• Wear a hat (with a brim) or sun-visor – to help cover your head and face in addition to sunscreen.
• Fragrance Free – Use “fragrance free” sunscreen if you’re prone to fragrance allergies.
• Oil Free & Non Comedogenic - Look for the terms “Oil Free” and “Non Comedogenic” if you are prone to acne/pimples from oily products. These are formulated to help prevent a breakout from using the product.
• Stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM when the sun is at its strongest..
• Eye Protection - Wear quality sunglasses that offer both UVA and UVB protection of 99 - 100 %.

The added bonus with being savvy about sun safety is that practicing these tips over time will help contribute to an improved and more youthful appearance to your skin with fewer wrinkles and sun spots. See this link for Tip # 1 on skin cancer prevention: http://carole-jakucs.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-tips-to-prevent-skin-cancer-monitor.html 
See this link for Tip # 3: http://carole-jakucs.blogspot.com/2012/05/tip-3-skin-cancer-prevention-healthy.html
More info, see these:
http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreens
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/uv-protection/AN00832