TANNING BEDS
Many of us are headed to warmer climates (including myself) and some vacationers have thoughts of having a tan before going. In a word, don’t! Tanning beds roast skin with doses of UVA radiation that are 12 times stronger than sunlight’s. It doesn’t often cause redness or burning sensations so tanners don’t realize how much damage they are doing.
(Did You Know? Use of a tanning bed before age 35 increases the risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent.)
Don’t want to look pale going to the beach this time of year? Use a safe self-tanner. These products contain dihydroxyacetone, a non-carcinogenic color additive that tints the outermost layer of skin.
– Roerio Neves, M.D., Deputy Director Penn State Hersey Melanoma Center |