One of my medical school instructors calls tanning beds “cancer beds.” I thought this cartoon was a great representation of that.When MJ and I were driving across the country, we were struck by the number of tanning salons that we spotted out in the middle of nowhere areas. In the states of Montana and Wyoming, they dotted the highways, sometimes as the only building off the road. It was strange to say the least.
Plus, sun tanning beds don’t even help you make Vitamin D (a vitamin normally made in our skin when exposed to sun). Tanning beds use UVB rays, rather than Vitamin D encouraging UVA rays from the real sun. And frankly, so much of our food (milk, cereal, etc.) contains Vitamin D, so you really shouldn’t use it as an excuse to get some rays. A better option is getting a spray tan. I have my reservations about dying skin, but cancer prevention wise, it’s a much better choice.
Or just rock your alabaster skin like me. (I’m quite ghostly.)
Skin cancer is the most common for of cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, there are over 68,000 new cases of skin cancer per year and over 8,600 deaths per year. I have several friends who have had to have cancerous growths removed already. These mid-20s to early-30s friends are now paying for high school summers spent in the glorious sun…It’s not any fun.
Remember to:
- stay in the shade
- cover your skin with clothing
- wear a hat
- wear sun glasses – they protect the sensitive skin around the eyes and protect your eyes from corneal damage. This is extra important for light eyed people.
- wear your sunscreen (minimum 15 SPF)! Don’t forget to lather the tops of your ears, your forehead, back of your neck, and your nose. I am so happy that so many cosmetics now contain sunscreen – it’s making it a lot easier to protect my skin these days.
