What is tanning good for

DNA damage also takes place during tanning. Michael Lin , founder of Dr. Lin Skincare Institute. We get it: You feel like you look better with a tan. UVB rays tend to get the bad rap, as they are associated most with sunburns and skin cancer development.

Neither are desirable. But these rays can actually be more damaging to skin DNA, especially with prolonged exposure. And that damage is ultimately what can lead to skin cancer. In the United States, 6, cases of melanoma each year are linked to indoor tanning.

And in many cases, they may have walked away with nothing more than a small scar. And not all of those people will survive. Grossman told Healthline there are more skin cancers diagnosed in one year in the United States than all other cancers combined over a three-year period.

There is no health reason ever to get a tan. For that reason, she suggests people use SPF 50 every day, applying it every one to two hours when outside. How long your spray tan lasts depends on three things: what you do to your skin beforehand, how much dihydroxyacetone is in the solution, and how you…. Non-melanomas basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas occur in the basal or squamous cells located at the base of the epidermis, both inside and outside the body.

Non-melanomas often develop in sun-exposed areas of the body, including the face, ears, neck, lips, and the backs of the hands. Predisposition to skin cancer can be hereditary, meaning it is passed through the generations of a family through genes. Performing regular self skin cancer exams is a good way to protect yourself against skin cancer. The following are possible signs of skin cancer, and should be checked by a doctor.

Treatment: Skin cancer treatment varies depending on the type and severity of the cancer. Your doctor will develop a treatment plan based on your needs. According to the American Cancer Society, most of the more than one million skin cancers diagnosed each year in the U. Skin cancer occurs in people of all skin tones, though it is less common in those with darker skin tones.

Assessing your risk with the help of your doctor, protecting your skin, and performing regular skin cancer checks are the best methods of prevention. More Information on Skin Cancer.

A fourth type of growth, actinic or solar keratoses, is a concern because it can progress into cancer. Actinic keratoses are considered the earliest stage in the development of skin cancer, and are caused by long-term exposure to sunlight.

They are the most common pre-malignant skin condition, occurring in more than 5 million Americans each year. Actinic or solar keratoses share some of the symptoms of skin cancer.

Look for raised, rough-textured, or scaly bumps that occur in areas that have been sunburned or tanned. Actinic or solar keratoses are the most common pre-malignant skin condition. Check with your doctor if you find any suspicious-looking bumps.

Photokeratitis can be thought of as a sunburn of the cornea. Treatment: Consult your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Your doctor can prescribe a topical solution which will aid your cornea in healing. Since the cornea usually heals in 24 to 48 hours, the symptoms are not long-lasting. What it is: Cataracts are one form of eye damage that research has shown may increase with UV exposure.

Clouding of the natural lens of the eye causing decreased vision and possible blindness are all effects of cataracts. Other types of eye damage include cancer around the eyes, macular degeneration , and irregular tissue growth that can block vision pterygium. According to the World Health Organization WHO , all people, regardless of skin color, are vulnerable to the effects of immune suppression.

In people who have been treated for an infection of the Herpes simplex virus, sun exposure can weaken the immune system so that it can no longer keep the virus under control. This results in reactivation of the infection and recurring cold sores. More information about Immune System Suppression.

Luckily, many products on the market — but not sun lamps or tanning beds — will let you tan safely and sun-free. One safe way to go bronze is with sunless self-tanners. These "tans in a bottle" contain dihydroxyacetone DHA , which gradually stains the dead cells in your skin's outer layer. The "tan" lasts until these skin cells slough off, so exfoliating or vigorously washing will make the color fade faster.

Typically, self-tanners last from several days to a week. You may have to try a few brands of self-tanner to find one that looks best with your skin tone. For a subtle, goof-proof glow, try moisturizers that contain a modest amount of fake tanner, letting you gradually build up a little color without blotches and staining — or the smell that some people dislike. Ask a friend to help you apply self-tanner to spots you can't reach, like your back.

And be sure to wash your hands as soon as you finish applying the tanner. Areas of your body that don't normally tan like the palms of your hands or soles of the feet just look dirty if you leave tanner on them.

With self-tanners, you get better results if you exfoliate your skin with a scrub brush or loofah before the tanner is applied. This evens your skin tone and removes dead skin cells. If you use a sunless tanner, you'll need to wear plenty of sunscreen when you go outdoors to protect you from the sun's rays.

Self-tanners don't generate melanin production, so they won't protect you against sunburn and some scientists believe they might even make skin more susceptible to sun damage. If you're thinking about using a sunless tanner, it's a good idea to avoid airbrush or spray-on tans. Spray tans may have unknown health risks because people can breathe in the spray, or the tanner may end up on their lips or eye area.

Reviewed by: Patrice Hyde, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Here are some tips to enjoy the great outdoors while protecting your skin and eyes from sun damage: Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, even on cloudy days and when you don't plan on spending much time outdoors. If you don't want to wear a pure sunscreen, try a moisturizer with sunscreen in it, but make sure you put on enough. Ideally, it should also be hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic so it doesn't cause a rash or clog your pores.

Even if you don't get a sunburn, UVA rays could still be doing unseen damage to your skin.