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While we are still in the depths of winter, at this time of year thoughts most definitely turn to escaping to sunnier places. People are starting to plan holidays away and for most, it is a case of the sunnier the better. Some of us won’t even wait until the summer months but will pop away for a spring break to a warmer climate to help the winter go more quickly.
The cold weather and dark evenings can also make us feel dull and under the weather. People who are used to a bit of colour or a tan on their skin can feel out of sorts at this time of year. It’s particularly true of those with the classic Irish complexion – and if you’re used to having some warmth to your skin tone, it can be frustrating to be pale.
For both of these reasons, people may have a tendency to visit tanning parlours or use sunbeds, either to ‘get a tan’ so they look closer to what they think of as healthy, or to perhaps get a ‘base tan’ ahead of a trip away. (I discussed this in a recent blog post.)
As a medical professional and skin cancer specialist, I cannot stress enough how damaging this is. The most common cause of skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, is exposure to UV rays. Sun exposure causes damage to the DNA in the skin cells, which can eventually lead to the development of skin cancer.
People with the classic Irish complexion of pale skin are particularly at risk from skin cancer- causing UV rays, as are those who use tanning salons or sunbeds, so while you may not have a choice about one of these factors, you definitely do about the other.
The sun emits three types of UV rays, namely UVA, UVB, and the less familiar UVC, which is filtered out by the Earth’s atmosphere. Sunbeds and tanning lamps give off the same radiation as the sun (in other words, UVA and UVB rays) and both types of UV can cause DNA damage.
Sunbeds can in some cases be even more dangerous than sunlight. It can be difficult to establish the strength of the UV as it varies greatly across devices. Some sunbeds can be as powerful as a midday Mediterranean sun and for people who have fair, sensitive skin or a lot of moles, the chances of developing skin cancer can be increased.
While it may be thought of as more attractive or a sign of health, a tan is actually your body's attempt to protect itself from the damaging effect of UV rays. It is a sign of skin damage – your body is producing more melanin (which gives skin its pigment) to try to offset the harmful UV rays. This is why it is essential to be sun smart when exposed to the sun, and to use a high SPF sunscreen. It is also a main reason not to use sunbeds.
It’s also worth remembering that UV rays age the skin. Those signs we associate with aging – lines, wrinkles, dark spots - are mostly caused by sun exposure. Sunbeds are extremely aging on the skin too, so it’s worth keeping that in mind, if the health dangers are not enough of a deterrent.
If you are concerned about your skin or that of a loved one, arrange a consultation with me at my clinic, and, because being sun smart is important in reducing the risk of skin damage from UV rays, download our free guide to sun protection:
Download Mr Chan's Guide to Proper Sunscreen Use
While we are still in the depths of winter, at this time of year thoughts most definitely turn to escaping to sunnier places. People are starting to plan holidays away and for most, it is a case of the sunnier the better. Some of us won’t even wait until the summer months but will pop away for a spring break to a warmer climate to help the winter go more quickly.
The cold weather and dark evenings can also make us feel dull and under the weather. People who are used to a bit of colour or a tan on their skin can feel out of sorts at this time of year. It’s particularly true of those with the classic Irish complexion – and if you’re used to having some warmth to your skin tone, it can be frustrating to be pale.
For both of these reasons, people may have a tendency to visit tanning parlours or use sunbeds, either to ‘get a tan’ so they look closer to what they think of as healthy, or to perhaps get a ‘base tan’ ahead of a trip away. (I discussed this in a recent blog post.)
As a medical professional and skin cancer specialist, I cannot stress enough how damaging this is. The most common cause of skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, is exposure to UV rays. Sun exposure causes damage to the DNA in the skin cells, which can eventually lead to the development of skin cancer.
People with the classic Irish complexion of pale skin are particularly at risk from skin cancer- causing UV rays, as are those who use tanning salons or sunbeds, so while you may not have a choice about one of these factors, you definitely do about the other.
The sun emits three types of UV rays, namely UVA, UVB, and the less familiar UVC, which is filtered out by the Earth’s atmosphere. Sunbeds and tanning lamps give off the same radiation as the sun (in other words, UVA and UVB rays) and both types of UV can cause DNA damage.
Sunbeds can in some cases be even more dangerous than sunlight. It can be difficult to establish the strength of the UV as it varies greatly across devices. Some sunbeds can be as powerful as a midday Mediterranean sun and for people who have fair, sensitive skin or a lot of moles, the chances of developing skin cancer can be increased.
While it may be thought of as more attractive or a sign of health, a tan is actually your body's attempt to protect itself from the damaging effect of UV rays. It is a sign of skin damage – your body is producing more melanin (which gives skin its pigment) to try to offset the harmful UV rays. This is why it is essential to be sun smart when exposed to the sun, and to use a high SPF sunscreen. It is also a main reason not to use sunbeds.
It’s also worth remembering that UV rays age the skin. Those signs we associate with aging – lines, wrinkles, dark spots - are mostly caused by sun exposure. Sunbeds are extremely aging on the skin too, so it’s worth keeping that in mind, if the health dangers are not enough of a deterrent.
If you are concerned about your skin or that of a loved one, arrange a consultation with me at my clinic, and, because being sun smart is important in reducing the risk of skin damage from UV rays, download our free guide to sun protection:
Download Mr Chan's Guide to Proper Sunscreen Use
