 |
NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
|
|
|
NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
|
| Home | HealthTopics | Health Centers | Reference Library | Research |
 Join us on Facebook
|
Share on Facebook | Tweet |
|
Skin Cancer |
Tanning bed safety07/07/2008 |
Although I know that using tanning beds is extremely unhealthy, I still occassionally use them. I have significantly reduced my usage, but not completely. Would applying sunscreen before using the tanning bed reduce the amount of damage from the UV rays? If so, what level of SPF would you recommend? And lastly, would wearing the sunscreen in the tanning bed prevent me from actually getting a tan (and thus defeat the purpose of using the tanning bed)? Thank you!
Providing that your sunscreen protects against BOTH UVA and UVB rays, applying sunscreen prior to using a tanning bed will decrease the amount of DNA damage just as it does when you apply it prior to going out in the sun. UVA rays penetrate deep down into the lower layer of your skin and damage the elastin and collagen fibers, which keep your skin young looking. UVA also works in conjunction with the UVB rays to induce damage leading to skin cancer. So it's important to make sure you protect yourself against both rays.As far as preventing tanning that is the point of sunscreen, to prevent tanning which is an indication that there is damage to the skin, so applying sunscreen will prevent tanning bed tanning. Your best bet to get that glow is to use some of the lotions that contain sunless tanning ingredients. They have gotten much more natural looking and you won't be damaging your skin which will lead to early aging and potentially skin cancer.
|
Tatiana M Oberyszyn, PhD Associate Professor of Pathology Associate Professor of Molecular Virology, Immunology & Medical Genetics College of Medicine The Ohio State University |
|
|
Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) 
|