“A woman should wear fragrance wherever she expects to be kissed”-Coco Chanel
Laura Reynolds looks at some of the cheapest beauty products available
While we may be savvier about the dangers the sun can bring (at least I hope no one still lathers themselves in baby oil or uses aluminium reflectors) there is still a lot of work to be done if the rate of skin cancer is to decrease. Other side effects such as premature ageing and brown spots are also signs of damage to your precious skin. Although you may feel healthier with a sun bronzed body the reality is far from this. No tan from the sun is healthy. It is simply a visible sign that you have damaged cells in your skin.
Tanning occurs from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. There are two types of ultraviolet radiation; Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). UVB has been commonly associated with sunburn while UVA has been recognized as a deeper penetrating radiation. The browning associated with tanning is the skin's reaction to too much radiation leading to the production of melanin. Skin cancer has always been accredited to the effects of sunburn but there is also evidence to suggest that gentle tanning can also create the harmful effects that lead to skin cancer.
An increase in tanning salons and sun beds has also contributed to the rise of skin cancer, as the UVA rays are far more concentrated in a shorter space of time than if you were in the sun. While UVA rays may not burn like UVB rays, they penetrate the skin deeper, putting you at greater risk for premature aging and skin cancer. Tanning beds can also damage your eye sight and immune system, and if not properly sanitized, can be a haven for bacteria. While you may feel great with that all over tan a sun bed can provide, it’s doing far more damage than good.
No tan from the sun is healthy. It is simply a visible sign that you have damaged cells in your skin.
A common myth that surrounds the tanning world is that the body needs Vitamin D, and tanning is a way of obtaining it. Vitamin D is indeed an essential vitamin that the skin can manufacture as a result of sun exposure, but just one hour of daily sun exposure is enough to meet the RDA for this nutrient. Everyday exposure to the sun and some foods provide adequate amounts of Vitamin D for the body.
If appealing to your health doesn’t strike a cord with you, think about how the wrinkles and leathery appearance might look 20 years down the road. Change your mentality of worrying about consequences later and start thinking in terms of your present actions affecting your future health.
Avoiding the sun completely is not a realistic solution, but protecting yourself from the harmful rays is extremely important. A minimum of SPF 15 should be worn at all times but really you should opt for sun block rather than sunscreen as it blocks out both UVA and UVB rays.
Unfortunately, the only safe way to achieve the healthy glow a tan can give us is out of a bottle. But with an ever increasing market ranging from tinted moisturisers to full on spray tans it’s more achievable than ever. It may cost a few more pounds than a day in the sun but the savings you make for your health are countless.
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