Growing up in Florida, obtaining a golden tan was crucial for a normal social life. I tried to tan by laying outside daily beginning in March, but I now realize this was a big mistake. Not only was I unsuccessful at tanning, but I also increased my risk for skin cancer.
Being fair-skinned made tanning a difficult and dangerous activity with costs outweighing the benefits. While sun exposure may be popular now, its damaging effects will last a lifetime.
Many students spend their Spring Break outdoors, but this can be dangerous for pale-skinned individuals unless they heed proper precautions while laying out at the beach or near a pool.
One way to protect yourself is to slowly build a tan. Use at least SPF 15 sunblock with UVA and UVB protection if going outside for 30 to 60 minutes a day. This can prevent skin shock from initial sun exposure for the first time in months, which often happens to students during Spring Break, said Katherine Saichuk, Wellness Center coordinator.
Be careful to limit sun exposure on both cloudy and sunny days and avoid falling asleep while in the sun, even after obtaining a tan. Also, serious burns still can occur on cloudy days, Saichuk said.
Saichuk recommends putting sunblock on 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the lotion to set in. Then reapply after swimming, sweating and at least every two hours, she said. Males are more prone to burns because they have a tendency to not wear sunblock, Saichuk said.
Burns can make showering, sleeping and wearing clothes difficult, besides increasing risk for cancer. Blisters which develop from sunburns are susceptible to infection, especially when clothing rubs against the sores, Saichuk said.
The American Cancer Society predicts sun cancer will cause more than one million deaths this year, with many more on the way. Although skin may seem fine now, remember it takes years for the real damage to emerge.
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can prevent eye cataracts and scalp tissue burns as well as reduce wrinkle and aging effects. Using a beach umbrella can prevent burns, especially between the sun’s peak hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Drinking water and other fluids is important while in the sun. Dehydration is especially bad for students who spend the break skiing, because the reflective heat is intensified, Saichuk said. The sun also dries out skin, so remember to use moisturizers after sun exposure, she said.
Another option for fair-skinned people is sunless tanning creams, many of which are accepted by the American Academy of Dermatology. The creams provide the look of a tan without the ultraviolet radiation. However, the AAD does not recommend tanning pills or tanning beds, which have harmful side effects.
Tanning beds can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer, even with limited exposure, according to a recent study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
The Food and Drug Administration has not approved tanning pills because some people have experienced odd yellow discolorations and excessive pigment in areas, including the iris.