Technorati Tags: tanning, tanning bed, tanning lotion, tan lines

For most teens, getting a tan during spring break or in preparation for the prom is as common as these rites of passage themselves. Although teens hear dermatologists warnings that tanning is the most avoidable risk factor in the prevention of skin cancer, studies find they forgo this advice in favor of the bronzed look.

Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology s (AAD) Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month news conference, dermatologist James M. Spencer, M.D., vice chairman, department of dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, addressed the incidence of teens and tanning and how the AAD is trying to combat it.

Alarming Trends This year, more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States exceeding the incidence of all other cancers combined. It is estimated that there will be about 95,880 new cases of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) in 2004, which represents a 4 percent increase in new cases of melanoma from 2003.

While many health issues are complex and involve multiple factors, in the case of skin cancer we know that ultraviolet light is the culprit and avoiding excessive exposure is the solution, said Dr. Spencer. Yet despite this knowledge, the number of skin cancers continues to rise each year. Even more disheartening is the fact that teens continue to tan despite the known health risks.

A national study of 6,903 non-Hispanic white adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 found that indoor tanning is not only prevalent, but influenced by factors such as demographics, the use of controlled substances (e.g., alcohol, tobacco and marijuana), appearance-related factors (e.g., dieting), and psychosocial factors (e.g., cognitive ability). The study, Use of Indoor Tanning Facilities by White Adolescents in the United States, was published in the September 2003 issue of Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine.

Overall, when taking the national population into consideration, the number of young women who reported using a tanning booth at least once far outweighed the number of young men who engaged in this activity (36.8 percent vs. 11.2 percent, respectively). The number of young women who reported using tanning booths also increased with age. The study found that 47 percent of young women aged 18 to 19 years old reported using a tanning booth three or more times, compared with 11.2 percent of 13- to 14-year-old girls.

Geographic region greatly influenced the likelihood of using an indoor tanning facility, with adolescents in the Midwest and South being two to three times more likely to use tanning booths than the rest of the country. In addition, teens that attended a rural high school were more likely to report using an indoor tanning facility than their counterparts at urban high schools.

This study confirms that despite the risk, indoor tanning seems to be increasingly popular with young people and particularly young women, said Dr. Spencer. It s unfortunate that the pressure these teens face to conform to cosmetic ideals presented in popular culture and advertising is so powerful, even with all we know about the dangers of tanning.

Dermatologists Take Action

Indoor tanning is a booming business in the United States, generating estimated revenues in excess of $5 billion dollars a year. Most salons use bulbs in their tanning beds that emit a significant amount of UVB and UVA radiation both of which are associated with the development of skin cancer and premature aging. In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services has added UV radiation from the sun or artificial light sources such as tanning beds and sun lamps to the government s list of known carcinogens.

The manufacturers of indoor tanning equipment are regulated at the federal level. Once manufacturers sell the equipment to a tanning salon, it is generally up to the states to regulate their operations. While 29 states regulate tanning salon operators, the legislation varies in severity and there is limited enforcement. While some states go so far as to prohibit access to tanning booths by minors without parental consent, some require salon owners to post warning signs in a visible location in the salon, and others may only establish educational and training standards for tanning salon operators.

Even in those states that have some elementary safety regulations, it is not clear who would enforce them, explained Dr. Spencer. That means children and teens have open access to equipment that appears to be utilized in an often careless fashion. We applaud states like Texas, California and Tennessee that have worked feverishly to enact tough legislation restricting the use of indoor tanning facilities, especially among minors. But more states need to take their lead and enforce regulations that limit access to this dangerous activity.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) recently issued a new position statement on indoor tanning, encouraging states to aggressively pursue legislation that protects children and urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action that will ban the sale and use of tanning equipment for non-medical purposes. Specifically, the AADA supports the following requirements for indoor tanning facilities:

No minor should be permitted to use tanning devices. A Surgeon General s warning should be placed on all tanning devices.

No person or facility should advertise the use of any Ultraviolet A or Ultraviolet B tanning device using wording such as safe, safe tanning, no harmful rays, no adverse effect, or similar wording or concepts.

Throughout most of the country, none of the basic safety measures that we are proposing are required, explained Dr. Spencer. Research has shown that indoor tanning is dangerous, and there should be laws to protect children from engaging in this activity as there are from other unhealthy behaviors such as drinking or smoking. We urge all states to take immediate action to prohibit indoor tanning for minors.

In addition to the AADA s call for tighter regulations, the AAD is targeting teens with print and broadcast public service announcements (PSAs) on the dangers of tanning that are scheduled to be released nationwide to the media this summer.

We conducted focus group testing with teens across the country and found that while teens know that overexposure to the sun can cause skin cancer and premature aging, they are reluctant to change their behavior because they feel more attractive with a tan, said Dr. Spencer. For our new PSA campaign, we used this research to develop the messages and images that almost force teens to stop and re-examine their behavior. If we re successful in getting even one teen to change his or her behavior, that s one life we eventually might save.

Diana Clarke is a teacher and the founder of The Sun and Your Skin at www.yourskinandsun.com.

dianaclarke2001@yahoo.com

Technorati Tags: tan lines, spray tan, sunless tanning, tanning, indoor tanning

The most popular sunless tanning products on the market that are applied directly to the skin are lotions. Their popularity is associated with their convenience and cost. You can apply sunless tanning lotions just about anywhere. With some sunless tanning products you have to apply the product overnight and rinse it off in the morning. Many sunless tanning lotions are formulated with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) so that you can apply it and then proceed with your normal daily activities. One of the main downsides of lotions is that you may not obtain an even tan. Although you may apply the lotion to your entire body, there may be areas that you miss or that may not have absorbed into your skin.

The problem of tan evenness does not exist with airbrush tanning. With this method you can obtain the most coverage of any other sunless tanning product that you apply to your skin. The coverage that you obtain from airbrush tanning is immediate because the tanning solution is what gives you the tan. This is in direct contrast to other methods of sunless tanning that react with the natural chemistry of your skin. The product is available in handheld systems that you apply yourself, or you can visit a salon that provides tan spray booths. The only disadvantage of using airbrush-tanning products is that you will undoubtedly have to apply the product often since the product will eventually fade.

For some people, applying sunless tanning products can cause excessive dry skin. You can purchase a moisturizer separately or purchase a sunless tanning kit. In addition to a sunless tanning product (lotion, spray, or gel), sunless tanning kits generally contain a product for exfoliating the skin before applying the tanning product, and a moisturizer that you apply after applying the product. While these kits are great for providing a complete tanning solution, they can be expensive.

Regardless of the sunless tanning method you choose, you should still use caution when you plan to spend a significant amount of time in the sun. The sunless tanning methods listed here are only a small representative of the products available on the market. You can find additional information about other sunless tanning products, including those that are highly controversial (such as sunless tanning pills) by visiting sunless-tanning-product.net. This website also includes references to sunless tanning products that are available on the market.
About the Author

sunless-tanning-product.net concentrates on reviewing alternatives to tanning in the sun, and provides many healthy options to the risk of UV rays.

Technorati Tags: tanning, sunburn, tanning lotion

Ultra violet rays are emissions from the sun that has the potential of causing damage to unprotected skin surface.

Sun protective swimwear are clothing that we put on to fend off the negative effects that these radiations can have on the body.

The manufacture of sun protective swimwear is an elaborate process. Although the clothes themselves are made up of ordinary, everyday fabrics, it is the lining and the special treatment of the clothes that turn them into sun protective swimwear.

One technology is to use durable, breathable, lightweight, and very comfortable fabric with a 4-way stretch. The inner part of the fabric is lined with the ultra violet light protective coating. If the sun protective swimwear is going to be used for swimming in a pool, then it is made from chlorine resistant swim fabric.

For people who are highly sensitive to sunrays or photosensitive skin or skin cancer, the choice is high-SPF clothing. These contain containing colorless compounds, and treated resins that absorb ultra violet light.

The essence of sun protective swimwear is to reflect as much as possible, the dangerous ultra violet rays from the sun as much as possible. This means, shiny, silky or reflective clothing are the best.

Another technique is to use tightly woven micro fiber containing enhanced titanium dioxide which diffuses ultra violet light and CoolMax mesh to ensure ventilation and moisture management.

There are several types of sun protective swimwear available. There are some for babies, some for men and some for women. Between these we have ordinary and high end designer swimwear. Although all of them have the protection against the sun, there are vast differences in quality of fabric, design and appearance.

There are some sun protective swimwear that cover the entire body and some that are just top wear, shorts or pants.

With the high end fashion, you can have two, three and even sometimes four piece sun protective swimwear with a hat or sunglasses to match.

Of increasing popularity are men’s sun protective swimwear comprising of a shirt, shorts and matching glasses. These products are both in the regular version and high end fashion.

Before we get on to why we need sun protective swimwear , it may be helpful to look at ultra violet rays. Ultraviolet rays (UV) or radiation is the invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UV radiation can damage the skin, cause melanoma and other types of skin cancer. There are two types of UV rays - there is the UVA which causes ordinary sun burn and the UVB which penetrate deeper into the skin to cause melanoma and other types of skin cancer.

Physiologically, overexposure to UV radiation can disturb the body’s immune system and the skin’s natural defenses.

Sun protective swimwear offers you a kind of filtering against these harmful rays. People most susceptible to these rays are those with light clothing and in areas where there is no overhead protection like the beach. Sun protective swimwear is also needed during summer when the sun shines a lot and consequently emits more ultra violet rays.

If you are interested in the stats,

* 1.3 million New cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. * One in five Americans will contract skin cancer. * Malignant melanoma, the worst form of skin cancer, has increased 1,800% since 1930

It is likely that many patients can save themselves the discomfort of these illnesses by putting on some sun protective swimwear .

You need to exercise a lot of discretion in buying protective swimwear.

Sun protective swimwear is categorized per UPF rating. UPF is the amount of radiation that can pass through the clothing. For example, a fabric with a UPF rating of 15 will permit one fifteenth of the UVR to pass through it and a UPF 20 fabric, one twentieth of the UVR to pass through it. What this mean is, depending your skin sensitivity, you will go for the clothing that suits your skin type, and of course, how long you will be exposed to the sun.

It is also important to consider weave type. Generally, the tighter the weave or knit, the better the protection against the sun.

The less the light that can pass through the clothing, the better. To test porosity, you can hold the sun protective swimwear against the sun and see how much light comes through.

Darker clothes should also be preferred against lighter clothes.

The price of a sun protective swimwear ranges from $49.95 upwards and there are several shops offering regular and high end fashion sun protective swimwear.

Sun protective swimwear can be pretty expensive and therefore need a lot of care to prolong their life. Here are a few tips on how to care for them:

Avoid oil-based suntan lotions which can stain the fabric and cause it to stretch. Stretching increases porosity and consequently permits more UV light to come through.

Soak clothes in vinegar to prevent fading which permits more light to come through the clothes.

Chlorine can interact with the sun protective swimwear and damage it. Try to soak your body wet before jumping into the pool to minimize the chemical reaction with the chlorine in the pool.

Enjoy the sun, tan as you want but be mindful of the danger of UV - put on your sun protective swimwear and save your beautiful skin.
About the Author

For more swimwear information, please visit http://www.beach-gear.info

Technorati Tags: sunless tanning, tanning beds, tanning salons, home tanning

This has led companies to undertake extensive research to
reduce the harmful effects of Ultraviolet rays associated
with tanning bed and sunbathing. This resulted in a few
lotions. These come in two categories: Tanning bed &
Sunbath lotions and Sunless tanning lotions.

Tanning Bed and Sunbath lotions

Tanning Bed Lotions - People use these lotions before or
after taking tanning bed treatments. Tanning bed lotions
protect the skin from excess ultraviolet light and
accelerate indoor tanning.

Tan accelerators are another group of products used for
tanning. These lotions are used while sunbathing. They
contain a natural enzyme that stimulates the production of
melanin (the body’s natural tan creating enzyme) with
exposure to sunlight, as a result they are much more
effective. This group of lotions accelerates tanning and
reduces the harmful effects of sunlight.

Sunless Tanning: A Good Alternate to Ultra Violet Light
Tanning

Self-tanning lotions will help you avoid the sun and
decrease the risk of ultraviolet exposure related problems,
yet will make you look good. The following are common types
of generic sunless tanning lotions.

Self-tanning lotions - Research has proved them safe and
effective. The Food and Drug Administration has also tested
them safe. The active ingredient in these products is
dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA gives color to the skin through
a “browning reaction” when it combines with amino acids in
the skin to form a chemical compound known as Melaninoid.
Melaninoids are brown in color and this gives a long
lasting tan to skin.

Tanning sprays are temporary but a harmless means for
tanning. They save you from harmful UV rays and you do not
need to make inconvenient trips to tanning saloons. Aerosol
tanning sprays can leave you with a perfect looking, even
tan with no hassles. All you need is to spray them on your
exposed body parts. Within minutes, you will have a tan
skin that you can show off anywhere.

Bronzers are yet another tanning product. They come in the
form of lotions and gels. Bronzers produce a darker color
on the skin by using water-soluble dyes. Bronzers color the
skin almost immediately and it dries very quickly. However,
it is temporary and starts fading after the first wash.

If you like healthy looking tanned skin, you never had it
so good. With the products available in the market, you can
become a bronze god in no time!
===========================================================
Find out all you need to know about tanning beds. Are
they safe ? Do they work ? Why should you use tanning beds
instead of normal sunshine… ? Click
http://www.tanning-beds-101.com/tanning-bed-lotions.html

About the Author

Rachel Stepsen is a lifelong user of tanning beds. She has
researched and tested numerous different beds, and
investigated all the important safety issues. Now she’s
written a series of article to share her knowledge and
experience.

Technorati Tags: tan, suntan, tanning, tanning salon

Skin care products are made up of cleansers, masks, toners, moisturizers, and sun blocks. The cleansers, which come as creams and gels, deeply clean the skin. The masks, which are also known as mud packs or exfoliants, peel off old skin. The toners, which should be non-stringent, remove stubborn dirt lodged in the pores. The moisturizers return the protective skin oils. Moisturizers should be different for various types of skins. And the sun blocks shield the skin from the damaging radiation from the sun or tanning bulbs. Then, there are also specialty skin care products such as eye creams that are meant to lessen facial lines, and lip protectors (for lips are special skin) that are used to prevent the lips from chapping due to freezing or scorching temperatures. Women have cosmetic foundations that have SPF (Sun Protection Factor), which range from SPF 5 to 15.

The range of skin care products seems overwhelming. But all these are important to give maximum protection for the skin. Professionals, such as models, actors and actresses, and salon owners, invest in such skin care products because the condition and age of their skin is vital to their jobs. As for regular guys and gals, the use of skin care products will enhance the beauty of their skin and slow down the process of aging. These products also contribute to the health and suppleness of the skin.

The skin care products preferred by most consumers are those made from naturally occurring substances. Synthetically produced substances for skin care products and cosmetic products may create detrimental side effects. This is why most skin care products are composed of extracts from leaves, roots, flowers, and fruits. These botanicals are known to be safe.

Taking care of your skin may seem to take a lot of effort. But you only have one skin. You spend money on it so that it will have a perfect tan. But you must also invest in skin care products to protect your skin from the aging process caused by tanning and to keep your skin health and younger looking.

About The Author

Grace Palce is writing articles for her own site about home tanning beds http://www.tanning-bed-secrets.com and articles about natural remedies for her other site - http://www.good-herbal-health.com.

Technorati Tags: suntan, sunburn, tanning salon, tanning safety

Technorati Tags: tanning, tanning bed, tanning lotion, tanning salons

This is a call to everybody. Save your skin, now before it s too late! Having a tan makes you look more healthy and gorgeous. But how do you do it without bad consequences?

There are a lot of people who would like to have golden brown skin. It is not a new sight when people go to the beach to lie almost naked under the sun just to have an equal tan. But, it is not so safe to do just that because of the super harmful UV rays. Instead of getting only a perfectly golden skin, one might suffer a serious case of skin cancer later, too.

There are plenty of options in tanning today. More modern ways are undergoing medical treatment to acquire a sun-less tan. However, there are still some modern techniques that use radiation powered machines to tan the skin. And radiation is also bad to the health.

There are more techniques that could give a person a perfect tan. But most of them cost so much because they are highly specialized techniques and reduces (or even eliminates) usage of radiation or UV rays. But to an average person who desires to have a golden skin, it would not be very practical to pay so much to have the desired healthy golden skin.

There are ways to achieve a perfect tan without exposing yourself to the sun and spending so much on skin clinics. There are ready-to-use products that are safe to use and are inexpensive compared to the services offered in skin clinics.

Here are some tips for a safe, sunless and costless tanning right in your homes. Remember that before applying those sunless tanners, the body must first be thoroughly cleaned and exfoliated by using loofah or soft cloth to wash off dust and dead skin cells. This way, even tan will surely be achieved. Use moderate amount on knees, elbows and other parts with thick, dry skin, as they will appear darker. Use a sponge paintbrush, about two to three inches in size, in applying tanner on the back. When applying in the face, avoid spreading in and around the eyes. After application, immediately wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. Use a make-up wedge when applying at the backs of your hands in smooth even strokes as well as on your feet and between the toes. Apply the tanner using both horizontal and vertical strokes or circular motion.

When using a spray tanner, avoid saturating it. Instead, spray and blend quickly and thoroughly over one body part then do the same to the rest of the body. After making sure the tanner is applied evenly, wait for about one hour before applying any moisturizer or foundation or going swimming/bathing. Also, avoid contact with carpets, fabrics, clothing, and furniture. If necessary, and for a deeper tan, repeat process.

A very important reminder for you: Stay away from the sun from 10:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. That is when the sun is most harmful. Remember that wanting a beautiful skin is not merely an act of vanity. Taking care of your skin is also taking care of your health. Protecting it from the sun is the most important gift you could give your skin. Have a beautiful and safe tan just right in your home without spending so much.

Copyright Sphinx Cyberworld Ventures

The writer, Caryl B. Grecia, works for Sphinx Cyberworld Ventures whose website, http://www.beautytips1001.com, features other proven natural beauty care tips such as skin care, acne treatment, dry hair/oily hair help, dandruff treatments, weight loss tips, help for puffy eyes and dieting recipes. For more questions and comments send e-mail to support@e-mart4all.com

Technorati Tags: tanning lotion, spray tan, sunless tanning, tanning