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California
Girls: Everything you need to know about tanning
By
Wayne Caparas
Say you want a Revolution?
Before Frankie and Annette popularized the “Beach Blanket Bingo”
craze of the sixties, and before tawny “California Girls” became
the sexual icons they are today, beautiful skin (for Caucasians) was described
as peaches and cream, milk and honey, and the porcelain of a china doll--not
bronze, nor copper-tone, and certainly not tanned. Just after the euphoria of
the post WWII era, baby-boomers entering their teens incited the sexual revolution
with such fashion statements as mini-skirts, halter tops, and increasingly scantier
bikini’s. Meanwhile western men (and many women in Europe) were no longer
hesitant to go topless on the beach. One result was a sudden affinity for tanned
skin, especially among the movers and the shakers. Consequently, a “good”
suntan was being linked to an exciting, pampered, and even affluent lifestyle.
Looking Younger
After 40 plus years of social sun worship, we have obviously developed other
positive associations to tanning, and several are quite legitimate. My research
findings showed full spectrum sunlight to cure or aid in the recovery of a variety
of physiological and mental ailments “when properly managed.” (Refer
to “Tips for healthy sun management” following this article). So
you’re not a total narcissist for craving a tan. But unless you are following
the guidelines for safe sun exposure, then your efforts to attain a “good”
tan are done so in vain; pun intended. Technically speaking, a “good tan”
and a “healthy tan” are oxymorons. If your best argument for indulging
in the practice of sun bathing is that “it makes you feel and look younger,”
then you should find the truth bitterly ironic. What we incorrectly link with
youth is in fact the primary cause of premature aging of your skin. This includes
un-naturally deep wrinkles, sagging and loss of elasticity (turkey neck), liver
spots, rough or scaly patches, highly visible red and purple spider veins, and
eventually an overall thick and leathery appearance. These signs of photoaging,
which are usually not found on naturally aged skin (not repeatedly exposed to
high doses of sunlight), are simply the scars caused by the damaging effects
of ultraviolet radiation (UV light). Technically speaking, that beautiful suntan
of yours is really a widespread injury to your body’s largest organ; your
skin. This wounding stimulates some of your cells to produce abnormal quantities
melanin, which is basically your body’s skin toughening chemical defense
against future damage. And though a sunburn obviously results in more intense
scarring, most of us don’t realize that even a light burn-free suntan
is pre-aging our skin. No joke. For instance, if you have a tan and your sibling
doesn’t, guess who will be the first to look like a prune? You’ve
got it old timer. So if it’s a more youthful look you are going for, stop
tanning. It’s that simple. If you refuse to go through the year feeling
pale, maybe you’re just not getting the exercise your body needs to keep
a rosy glow of health in your cheeks. And if you absolutely must have a golden
or bronze tone to your skin to feel good, than I again refer you to our closing
tips. But not so fast--the next section is more than a matter of vanity, it’s
a matter of life or death.
To burn, or not to burn
Maybe you’re one of the few people who could care less if you look like
a raisin when you’re in your 50’s. And maybe, like me, you’re
addicted to the sun’s scintillating kiss. Well, the idol that kisses also
has a deadly bight. Decades of improper Sun exposure has sparked a plague of
the darkest nature--and in this case ignorance is not bliss. When this whole
sexual revolution thing first started, we honestly didn’t know about the
photoaging effects of ultraviolet light, we had never heard of sunblock or SPF
(sun protection factor), and no one outside of the medical community had ever
heard of Mel-a-no-ma (the deadliest type of skin cancer). That was then. What
about now? For better or for worse we still flock to the great outdoors every
summer, wearing virtually nothing, all under the loose premise that we strip
down to “catch some rays”. Could it be that where sun and skin are
concerned, the tail is now wagging the dog? Do we really, and I do mean really,
know why we are deliberately burning ourselves? And do we realize exactly what
this burn is doing to our bodies? Don’t you dare bail out on me now. I’m
not going to try to scare you out of doing something to which you have become
psychologically addicted. But I am going to share with you some of the most
recent research along with the precautions you must take if you are unwilling
to give up this solar vice. Remember my genetic make-up? I tan as dark and as
easily as any Pacific Islander straight off the boat. Yet last year during a
routine check-up, my doctor found a small transforming melanoma on the rear
of my shoulder. Just a big freckle to me, but the poisonous bite mark of the
Sun to my body. And had this seemingly harmless mark gone unchecked, it could
have killed me in just a few years.
Just the facts Ma’am
Over the past two decades, the reported cases of skin cancer have reached epidemic
proportions, and ultraviolet light is to blame for 90% of all skin cancer cases.
Among the wide variety of human cancers, malignant melanoma has quickly become
one of the deadliest--and I repeat--its primary cause is exposure to UV radiation;
yes, tanning. The poisonous seeds are first planted during the sunburns of our
early childhood. 80% of skin cancers were actually triggered during our youth.
Melanomas first appear as a freckle, beauty mark, or mole. Through time and
continued UV exposure, these marks take on an irregular shape or color. If left
unchecked, it becomes a malignant cancer, metastasizes (spreads throughout the
body) and kills just like breast cancer or lung cancer. Isn’t this reason
enough to stop tanning? We have all heard this before, yet we keep on acting
as if it won’t happen to us. We’re playing “solar roulette”.
Yet the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) projects that 700,000 people
in the U.S. will develop some form of skin cancer (all of which are potentially
deadly or debilitating) this year alone. And that’s just in the U.S. Even
more alarming, research shows that an estimated 32,000 of these cases will be
Melanomas, and unless things change, 6,800 Americans will die from Melanomas
and another 2,300 will die from non-melanoma skin cancers every year. I was
almost one of them, and I am considered to be in a low risk group based on my
olive complexion. So no matter your race, sex, or skin color, if you over-expose
yourself to UV light, you are at high risk. And don’t be mistaken to think
that suddenly ceasing this dangerous past time will stop the poisonous seed
of cancer from growing. Once it begins transforming, it could metastasize without
any further UV stimulation. Please don’t panic; if caught early on, there
is a very high survival rate. When was the last time you had a skin exam?
The truth about tanning beds
All lengths of ultraviolet light are invisible to the eye. As a side bar, even
though UV light is invisible, it can severely damage your eyes and can cause
cataracts. Just two types of UV radiation can pass through the Earth’s
thick atmosphere and reach our skin; thus provoking a tan reaction. UV-B, which
is generally considered responsible for most of the sun’s surface burning
of our skin, and UV-A, which tanning bed manufacturers would have us believe
will tan our skin without damaging it. The tanning bed industry has well publicized
a so called “scientific breakthrough” upon developing a sun lamp
(UV bulb) that produces virtually no harmful UV-B and more of the supposedly
“safe”, UV-A; which according to their marketing campaign gives
us a “deeper, longer lasting tan”. The tanning bed industry has
made a fortune off our vanity and ignorance by promoting their UV-A rich devices
as the safe alternative to natural Sun tanning; which in my opinion is bull@#&!
The truth is, recent studies have shown not only that UV-A light does in fact
burn us, but also that the damage it causes goes much deeper into our tissues,
breaking down more of our collagen and elastin (which make our skin flexible),
burning our blood vessels which makes them darker and larger, quite probably
causing most of the damage to the DNA in our cells; and subsequently transforming
melanocytes (melanin producing cells) into melanomas. They’re right about
the “deeper” part. Tanning beds even pose an increased threat to
the health of your eyes. I used to employ tanning beds about twice a week during
the winter to keep my color. Many of you still do, even though we were all pretty
suspicious of these “miracles of modern science” when they first
came on the scene. Remember? We should have trusted our instincts. Dr. Marianne
Rosen, a top Dermatologist in the sun-drenched resort city of Charleston, S.C.,
has diagnosed many patients as Melanoma victims. She has carried the painful
responsibility of informing many, young and old, that they had just a few months
to live due to the spread of their Melanoma cancer through their bodies. Dr.
Rosen is the dermatologist in the team of doctors that saved my life from Melanoma.
When she first studied my “beauty mark” the first question she asked
me was whether or not I used tanning beds. At the time I determined this to
be a prejudiced question posed by another conservative doctor poised to scare
me out of enjoying life. After all, I was an “island boy”, cocoa
brown and born to tan. Many of my friends owned tanning salons, and they had
full confidence in their product. Besides, I had read most of the research (that
the tanning bed manufacturers provided), and I even bought one of the most advanced
beds available for my home. But once Dr. Rosen’s diagnosis was confirmed
by lab tests, I got a second concurring opinion, and followed up with my own
in-depth scientific research. I then humbly thanked Dr. Rosen and my personal
physician Dr. William Maguire, Jr. (who first discovered the mark) for saving
my life. Then I dismantled my tanning bed. I’ll never forget Dr. Rosen’s
profound statements. Though no published evidence existed at the time, she boldly
proclaimed that “Almost all of the patients I have diagnosed with Melanoma
have a current or past history of tanning bed use.” She reiterated that
it was her educated opinion “that tanning bed use may increase one’s
risk of getting melanoma even more than natural sun exposure does.” When
I pleaded with Dr. Rosen for a healthy alternative, she informed me that there
was no such thing as a healthy tan. She then surprised me by explaining that
if I insisted on tanning, I would be better off tanning in the sun. It turns
out that in expressing such bold hypotheses, Dr. Rosen was both ahead of her
time and right on target. According to Paula Kurtzweil of the Food and Drug
Administration, a recent (not yet published) risk analysis study performed by
a team of notable FDA scientists “concluded that people who use sunlamps
[tanning beds] about 100 times a year may be increasing their exposure to ‘melanoma-inducing’
radiation by up to 24 times compared with the amount they would receive from
the sun.” Additionally, Linda Shneider, Health Educator for CMH Occupational
Health Care Services reports that new research from Sweden claims that “people
under the age of 30 who use tanning beds more than 10 times per year are more
than seven times more likely to develop Melanoma than those who don’t
use tanning beds.” Also the same findings estimate that by the year 2000,
among those who don’t use tanning beds, one in 97 people will get Melanoma,
while among those who do use tanning beds, one in 13 will get the deadly cancer.
Paula continued by stating that “30 minutes of UVA in the tanning bed
is equivalent to about four to five days in the sun.” Yikes! I don’t
know whether to call them beds or ovens! Now that I think about it, I always
did smell like fried chicken after I tanned in a bed. My suggestion to you is
to pass on the artificial stuff all together. No offense to my friends who own
salons, but I’ll sacrifice ninety-nine acquaintances to help save one
life.
What about tanning pills?
According to Paula Kurtzweil, tanning pills contain carotenoid color additives
which when ingested, tend to turn our skin orange. Although the “FDA has
approved some of these additives for coloring food, it has not approved them
for use in tanning agents.” According to Dr. John Bailey, acting director
of the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, the main ingredients in these
pills (canthaxanthin) can deposit in the eyes as crystals, “which may
cause injury and impaired vision.” There has also been a reported case
of “a woman who died from aplastic anemia, which her doctor attributed
to her use of tanning pills.” Tanning accelerators, another group of pills
which marketers claim will stimulate the body’s own tanning process, are
considered unapproved new drugs by the FDA, and Bailey says that they have not
been proven safe or effective.
Tips for healthy sun management
When I first began researching safe tanning methods, I immediately contacted
my personal expert on anti-aging--model, actress, and beauty consultant Victoria
Plarr, who at forty has the skin of a twenty year old. To my delight, Victoria
overflows with enlightenment concerning the benefits of natural sunlight, and
how to safely manage the sun. Her suggestions are all backed by Dr. Rosen’s
advise as well as published advisories from the AAD and the Dermatology Nurses
Association. Follow Victoria’s guidelines and you won’t have to
live like a vampire...or look like one.
First off, Victoria is a big proponent of sunless tanning lotions and self tanning creams. Of these there are two types approved by the FDA--bronzers and extenders. Extenders, when applied to the skin, interact with protein on the surface of the skin to produce color which tends to wear off in a few days. The only approved additive for extenders is dihydroxyacetone or DHA. Bronzers, on the other hand are simply tints that temporarily dye the skin. They are considered to be very safe, and though quality between name brands differs greatly, your greatest concern should be to find a tint that is just a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone--unless you want to look like the “butt” of a recent episode of Seinfeld. Victoria enjoys spending lots of time outdoors. Like me, she loves sunshine, fresh air, and warm, tropical climates. Victoria stresses however that her youthful skin is the reward of being “sun smart.” Here we go.
1. I apply sunscreens, SPF 15 or higher, over my entire body including my lips, nose, ears, neck, eyelids, and hands every day that there is even a remote chance I will be exposed to sunlight. Many quality moisturizers today carry SPF ratings, so you can accomplish two critical goals with one product. I personally like to use California Tan and Heliotherapy brand lotions. If I am swimming or sweating, I re-apply sunscreen hourly.
2. I avoid direct sunlight throughout the day, but especially between 10AM and 3PM when we stand closest to the Sun and the Sun’s UV light has less of the Earth’s atmosphere acting as a filter. Also, the closer you get to the equator, the closer you get to the Sun. So if you are in the deep south for instance, you are being exposed to 150% more UV light than someone in Maine. Also, heat and wind tend to reduce your body’s natural resistance to UV radiation. So you southerner’s and vacationers must take special care.
3. Except when I am swimming, I wear as much to cover up as I can stand. When exposed I wear a full brim hat or at least a sun visor, I wear sunglasses with a UV rating of at least 95% to protect my eyes, I seek shade wherever possible, and I take special care when I must spend time on highly reflective surfaces such as water, concrete, or snow. And don’t be fooled by cloudy skies. The lack of direct sunlight is mostly an illusion, as UV light is invisible, and at least 80% cuts through clouds.
4. I never, ever tan my face! Never.
5. I continuously re-hydrate with plenty of water, and as is true for all matters of health, I ensure proper nutrition and am sure to take anti-oxidants (especially vitamins A, C, and E). This is a good place to mention that over exposure to UV light also damages your immune system. Your skin, after all, is your God-given suit of armor. Keep it strong and well lubricated! You can’t replace it.
6. Although I have for years owned a tanning bed (though seldom used it), based on the recent research findings and published expert advisories, I have stopped using it altogether. So should you.
7. I have never taken tanning pills, I never will, and neither should you.
8. Even if you follow these tips, believe it or not, you will still tan if you spend time outdoors. If however you want even more color, then try a good self tanner. I have tested many of these creams, and I most enjoy the ultra-dark, instant Giesee Sun Self Tanning Lotion. It goes on smooth and gives a golden glow to my skin. I shower, shave, exfoliate, and moisturize dry skin hours before application. This practice ensures a balanced “tan” and reduces the risk of streaking or blotching. Remember, most self tanning products have no SPF protection. So don’t forget to employ the above practices regardless of your new skin color.
9. Finally, I check my skin regularly! You should familiarize yourself with every freckle, beauty mark, mole, and birthmark on every inch of your body--even on your scalp. By doing so you will easily notice any change in size, shape, or color; which are early warning signs of a possible skin cancer. Also watch for dry, scaly, reddish, and slightly raised patches or lesions. If you notice any of these changes, immediately contact your doctor.
To close, I would like to add one more tip to Victoria’s suggestions. Being a father and uncle that loves to spend time outdoors with “my kids”, I have learned that it is the most critical tip of all. You may very well lazily ignore all of the good advice you have already read. God knows I had read many of these warnings before my little scare woke me up and finally lead me to practicing good sense sun management. It’s your life, and you can choose to let the serpent bite you as often as you like. I spent my entire early childhood on the surf and dunes of Cocoa Beach, Florida and the many beaches of Oahu, Hawaii. At the age of 8 I was the brownest little “Moki” on Waikiki. But back then, my parents knew nothing about the dangers of ultraviolet radiation, and no one had ever heard of SPF, so they certainly had no idea that the Melanoma that might have killed me in my 30’s was born in the sunburns of my youth. That was then, this is now. What about you? Would you let your children play with poisonous snakes? If you’re not ensuring that they are covered from head to toe with SPF 15 or higher, several times throughout the day, then you are doing just that. If by chance you have a baby under 6 months, suncreens are not yet recommended, so you must keep their tender skin covered and well shaded at all times! Put your vanity and your ignorance aside for your kid’s sake. They may whine, and gripe about the constant applications, and you will certainly hear the old “but none of the other kids have to!” cry of manipulation, but one day when they--like you--are old enough to understand, they will thank you for it. See you on the enlightened beach sunshine!
For more information on proper sun management, photoaging, and skin cancer prevention visit your Dermatologist or write to:
American Academy of Dermatology
930 N. Meacham Road
P.O. Box 4014
Schaumburg, IL 60168-4014
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