Reality Health

By Dr. Sara Levine

Dear Dr. Levine,
My 16 year old daughter wants to get a tan before going away to camp.  Some of her friends have been going to a tanning salon.  They have her convinced that she will prevent sunburns while in camp if she has a tan to protect her.  Does such a tan actually do anything good for her?  Her pediatrician just finished reminding us to stay out of the sun whenever possible and use sunscreen when we need to be outside.

Tanning is dangerous, period.  Tanning at a salon is hazardous to your health, as well. Tanning, not just a sunburn, causes genetic defects of the skin which can cause skin cancer.  The tan or pink color that you see is an outward sign that the cells of the skin have changed. This is not surprising as both the sun and tanning beds emit both Ultraviolet-A (UV-A) and Ultraviolet-B(UV-B) radiation.  Tanning beds emit more than 10 times the UV-A intensity of the midday sun.  The tanning salon industry often describes the tanning beds as safer due to the fact that they primarily emit UV-A or that their UV exposure is “controlled.”  This makes absolutely no sense as UV-A is a carcinogen. The National Institutes of Health stated that “Exposure to sunlamps or sunbeds is known to be a human carcinogen.” It is important to understand that the concept of controlled tanning is illogical.  Think about the concept of controlled cigarette smoke exposure.  Clearly those concerned about the dangers of cigarette smoke would avoid exposure whenever possible.  UV radiation causes cancer.  One should minimize exposure whenever possible.  Your pediatrician said it well. Stay out of the sun when possible. Cover up with sun protective clothing or wear sunscreen when you get sun exposure.  Avoiding mid-day sun is also helpful in minimizing exposure to this harmful radiation.  In addition, it is important to know that a tan provides less protection than a sunscreen with SPF 3.  The reality of a “prevacation tan” is that it leads to more UV exposure as the exposure starts before the vacation. Exposure is higher during the vacation as people assume the tan is protective and use less sunscreen or get more sun  exposure than they would otherwise.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that a first exposure to tanning beds before age 35 significantly increased one’s risk of melanoma based on recently published data.  Melanoma is the second most common cancer of women in their 20’s, and the 3rd most common cancer of men in their 30’s. Melanoma can be treated if caught early, but it can spread to other areas of the body.  This makes it very dangerous.  It can be lethal.  Non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell cancers are caused by UV radiation, as well.  These cancers usually do not spread.  They have a much better survival rate. 

Exposure to UV radiation during childhood and adolescence is especially concerning because youth are especially vulnerable to UV radiation.  Unfortunately, only some states have legislation regulating the use of tanning salons by minors.  In the State of Florida, minors less than 14 must be accompanied by their parent.  Between the ages of 14 and 18, a minor needs to have a written permission from a parent prior to tanning in a salon.

Choosing to tan at a salon should be viewed as choosing to increase your exposure to a carcinogen.  Some sun exposure is expected as a part of living in the real world.  Fortunately there are sunscreens, hats, and special clothing to decrease the amount of UV exposure during your time outdoors. Teach your daughter about the importance of protecting her precious skin. Minimizing UV exposure will decrease her chance of developing skin cancer in the coming years.  Her skin will also appear younger as she ages.  Sunless tanning products or spray tans will help her get the cosmetic look she seeks without harming her skin.  She can then protect her skin with sunscreen and cover-ups while at camp. Involving her in making an educated decision now at age 16 is crucial.  She needs to understand the importance of making informed decisions about her health by obtaining data based on scientific evidence, not hearsay. A wise decision could save her life.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sara Levine is board certified by both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics and has been practicing medicine for more than nine years. She graduated summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve University and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She received her M.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She has completed Advanced Clinical Education in Child and Adolescent Obesity from the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Levine is in private practice in Boca Raton

Please email all questions to drsaralevine@bellsouth.net