SAFE TANNING?

Is there such a thing as a safe tan?

Despite years of education on the dangers of tanning, many Australians still strive for the ‘perfect tan'.
A tan is actually a sign of sun damage, even though many people mistakenly believe it signifies health and beauty.
So is there such a thing as a safe tan?
Skin cancer experts tend to agree that there is not. So let's take a look at tanning and the alternatives.

Tanning under the sun

We know this is dangerous, as exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in sunlight is proven to cause skin cancer and premature ageing of the skin.

Solariums

Using a solarium is not a safe way to tan. It can cause serious skin damage.
Solariums offer enclosed beds, which contain light tubes emitting UVA and UVB radiation. UV radiation from a solarium can be up to five times as strong as the midday summer sun (Solaria for Cosmetic Purposes, Standards Australia, 2002).

Fake tan

A fake tan is a safer alternative to a suntan, but it does not protect your skin against cancer. Skin specialists are wary of fake tans, because research shows that people wrongly believe tanning lotions offer some protection against sun damage.

The active ingredient in fake tanning solutions is usually a synthetic or vegetable dye that stains your skin. The tan fades when the stained cells die and flake away from your body.

Some tanning lotions contain sunscreen, but the protection they offer will last only as long as an ordinary sunscreen - a couple of hours at the most. Your skin is not protected for the length of time your tan remains.

Thank you to the Cancer Council New South Wales for providing information.