A-Z Index
- Acid Reflux (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease / Heartburn)
- Adult Acne
- Allergies
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Anaemia (Iron-Deficiency)
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Anxiety Disorders
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Back Pain
- Bipolar Disorder
- Breast Cancer
- Bunions
-
Best Health Blog
Skip indoor tanning beds Much as I would love to be bronzed rather than pale and freckled, I’ve always opted for self tanner rather than visit an indoor tanning salon.After all, as the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) points out, “some tanning beds can expose you to five times as much radiation as the sun, so using indoor tanning beds and lamps should be avoided.” Those at most risk of skin damage from indoor tanning beds and lamps include anyone who has had skin cancer or has a family history of skin cancer, is under 18 or who is fair-skinned or freckled.
Yet the Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA) is trying to sell tanning beds as a way to get much-needed vitamin D.
Don’t believe the hype: getting the vitamin D you need can be accomplished in just a few minutes a day of unprotected sun exposure, according to CCS. Taking a supplement with 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D will also deliver want you need, without exposing you to excess radiation. The Canadian Dermatology Association also warns against tanning beds and recommends a 1,000 IU Vitamin-D supplement, to maintain “healthy levels of this vitamin in the body while avoiding the risk of getting skin cancer.”
That’s good enough for me.
10 Comments
The Canadian Cancer Society has not spoke about vitamin D intake through moderate UV exposure because there are safer ways to get your vitamin D than by exposing yourself to UV in any form, which is a human carcinogen. Taking a vitamin D through a supplement presents no risk.
Generally, I tend not to believe people who are promoting a service as safe in order to make money. The Canadian Cancer Society gets no funding from sunscreen companies. You can check their financial records, they are public.
Indoor tanning beds are designed to mimic the sun. You get 10,000 to 20,000 IU of Vitamin D from one tanning session. As an indoor tanning consultant it is my job to make sure my tanners do not burn. After all it is repeated burning that causes damage to the skin no regular moderate controlled tanning in a reputable indoor tanning facility. It is the sunscare coalition that has poisoned the consumer's minds against the sun and it's many health benefits. Tan SMART, avoiding the sun isnt smart.
An article about adult acne in Best Health says hormones are typically to blame. The dermo quoted recommends salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide OTC creams, glycolic peels, tetracycline, oral contraceptives and more...
I'm glad that you are clarifying this. I've been tanning indoors for years--on and off; but I still can't find a replacement for the way it makes me feel, look and especially to clear my skin. I have serious pizza face if I don't hit the beds once a week (for about 12 mins)!
Any other suggestions for my problem?
Your research is definitely solid, Lisa. I've written extensively about this issue over the years and what you've reported is in synch with everything I've read from the types of credible sources you cite. Thanks for the update on how this issue is evolving.
I'm very fair and burn easily so I wear sunscreen religiously. But I've never gotten good results from any self-tanners I've tried. Invariably they come out streaky, unnaturally orange-y (I have pink undertones), and just ridiculous-looking. Do you have any good recommendations for self-tanning products that won't turn me the colour of bozo the clown?
Hi,
One of the best things about Skip indoor tanning beds is the wide variety of types and styles. You have many options when it comes to selecting which kind of skin indoor tanning beds you want, and finding a configuration that works for you and your living space will be easy.
Why hasn't the Cancer Society stodo up and told us about Vitamin D thru moderate uv exposure?
There is much recent research and reports that suggest the opposite of what you have been "lead" to believe, but it's never published in mainstream media, they don't wanna lose those $$ from advertisers like the sunscreen or cosmetics industries do they?
Again, I suggest you let go of the common thinking and explore the truth on sites such as www.uvtalk.com
I consider the Canadian Cancer Society and the World Health Organization pretty reliable sources. I don't think that makes me a victim.
Unfortunately you are another victim of the sunscare coalition comprised of the sunscreen industry and the cosmetics industry.
If you want to educate yourself regarding the facts regarding moderate uv exposure, tanning and Vitamin D you should visit sites like www.uvtalk.com.