| Q. Can we tan year round with out harmful effects? |
| A. Because the top most skin layer replaces itself
every 30 days, it's not a matter of how long one maintains a tan,
but keeping exposure to a safe level at all times. Skin damage can
occur is a person overexposes the skin to UV or combines exposure
indoors with exposure to the unpredictable sun. Be especially
mindful during the times when the UV radiation from the sun is
strongest. |
| Q.
Are the UV rays in tanning beds so strong they can pass through our
body and affect internal organs? |
| A. The UV rays emitted by indoor tanning lamps are
not strong enough to penetrate past the skin layers. Despite rumors
to the contrary, internal organs are not impacted by longer wave UV
light. |
| Q.
Is it okay to wear my contact lenses while tanning? |
| A. As long as the eyes are kept closed and
protective eyewear worn, the UV light cannot reach the eye or lens,
so there is no reason why you can not safely wear your contact
lenses while tanning. However, just as you should moisturize skin
after tanning, contact lens wearers may want to use eye drops to
combat the drying effects of the lamp's heat. |
| Q.
Do the UV lights disinfect the acrylic sheets on the tanning beds? |
| A. UV lamps used to sterilize objects such as
surgeon's instruments and hairdresser's combs are very strong and
use UVC. Indoor tanning lamps use UVA and UVB,
which are a very different wavelength and unlikely to destroy germs.
Therefore, it is imperative that you use a proper disinfectant after
each use. |
| Q.
Why do we hear warnings against sun exposure? |
| A. While the media likes to report on the
sensationalistic advocates of avoiding all sun exposure, many of
those from the medical field acknowledge the need for moderate sun
exposure for health. It is also generally agreed that overexposure
can be prevented with the correct use of sunscreens. |
| Q.
What would cause itching after tanning in a bed? |
| A. The causes are many and careful investigation of
the real culprit needs to be done. It could be the person is
naturally photosensitive. Others are susceptible to heat rashes, a
cause unrelated to UV exposure. Then, of course, there could be an
undiscovered allergy or sensitivity to a lotion or cosmetic, or a
cleaner used on the bed. If after eliminating all possible suspects,
the problem continues, the person should discontinue tanning and
consult a physician. |
| Q.
Why do I get white spots on my skin after tanning? |
| A. The most common reason is the same reason some
have dark spots (freckles): simple genetic tendency for uneven
pigmentation. Other possibilities: Skin fungus, which is harmless
but acts as a barrier preventing the UV light from penetrating to
the skin (remedied by a simple anti-fungal). White patches on
pressure areas (which inhibit blood flow, essential to the tanning
process) such as shoulder blades and buttocks (that lay on the
tanning bed) can be prevented by periodic shifting of your body. And
lastly, certain medications can cause uneven pigmentation; consult
your physician. |
| Q.
Is tanning in a bed safer than tanning in the sun? |
| A. The FDA prohibits any claim made by the tanning
industry regarding the safety of indoor tanning. All that can be
said is that indoor tanning is in a carefully controlled
environment, as opposed to the uncontrolled and unpredictable
aspects of natural sunlight. |
| Q.
Can exposure to the tanning bed's lights help acne sufferers? |
| A. Phototherapy (or the use of UV light) has been
an effective treatment in easing skin problems of this nature. The
use of UV therapy should be closely controlled by a qualified
physician. Furthermore, those being treated with tetracycline or
Retin-A should avoid UV exposure because these drugs and
others can render the skin photosensitive. |
| Q.
Is skin cancer caused by tanning? |
| A. While some studies have suggested exposure to UV
light increases the chances of skin cancer, others have actually
proven that repeated exposure to UV can be protective (pigmentation
protects cells from UV damage). Furthermore, melanoma, the most
deadly of skin cancers, generally develops on those areas not
normally exposed to UV light at all. Although it's especially
important for those predisposed to skin cancer or have a hereditary
link to skin cancer to avoid excessive exposure to UV, it is
recommended that all persons keep their UV exposure on a moderate
level. |
| Q.
Is it possible to catch an STD or other illnesses from tanning
equipment? |
| A. The passing of most sexually transmitted
diseases involves the exchange of bodily fluids from one person to
the next. This exchange does not take place on indoor tanning
equipment. However, this does not mean that other infectious
conditions cannot be passed on by unsanitary equipment. Therefore,
it's essential that the acrylic and protective eyewear be sanitized
after each use. |
| Q.
Can the tanning lights help with depression or seasonal affective
disorder (SAD)? |
| A. There exists a growing body of scientific
evidence which indicates some people may benefit from increased
exposure to light. Exposure to bright light, like that of the
mid-day sun, suppresses the release of the hormone melatonin, which
acts as a depressant in the body if released during the daytime.
When affected people are exposed to longer hours of bright light,
they feel happier, euphoric and more able to enjoy life. Bright
light sources are now frequently used to successfully treat Seasonal
Affective Disorder (so-called because of the reduced exposure to
light during cold seasons). |
| Q.
Can tanning lights help treat illnesses like psoriasis, osteoporosis
or arthritis? |
| A. Phototherapy (UV light treatment) rendered by a
trained physician has been used to ease the symptoms of psoriasis.
Vitamin D3 (referred to as the "sunshine" vitamin) production is
stimulated by exposure to UVB, which is essential to the absorption
of calcium, which in turn is essential in the treatment of
osteoporosis. Arthritis sufferers have reported an ease in symptoms
after tanning indoors, but this is more likely due to the comforting
heat produced by the lamps. It is important to note that the FDA
forbids the tanning industry from making any representations
regarding the health benefits of indoor tanning. |
| Q.
Can UV light suppress the immune system? |
| A. UV light has both a suppressing effect and a
stimulating effect. While this can be confusing, it's important to
note that UV light has helped temporarily suppress the immune system
to prevent rejection of organ transplants as well as used on
submarines to aid in keeping sailors healthy and ward off infectious
diseases. It's called a two-rein principle. Some studies have also
found that after initially suppressing the immune system, the same
exposure to UV light then subsequently enhanced the immune system. |
| Q.
Does tanning cause premature wrinkling of the skin? |
| A. Excessive UVA, if not blocked by pigmentation
and skin thickening on the outer layer, can penetrate to the dermis
and over time destroy skin elasticity. Thus it is recommended to
those who tan to use a light source that has both UVA and UVB. In
addition, any sunscreen used must block both UVA and UVB. |
| Q.
Should people with lupus use tanning equipment? |
| A. In the past, exposure to UV light was not recommended for
those suffering from lupus. Some studies recently have challenged
this notion. Sufferers from lupus should never tan
indoors without first consulting their physician and always apply a good sunscreen when outdoors. |
