She Got What She Deserved…?

Earlier this week I shared an article on my Black is the New Pink Facebook page.  It was written by April Pulliam who shared her life-long experience with tanning which ultimately led to her diagnosis of melanoma.  She admitted that her excessive tanning led to her skin cancers.  “I worked so hard for this damage,” she wrote.  “I paid big bucks for years, but it’s nothing compared to the price I am paying now and will continue to pay for years to come.  A tan was never worth it.”  Obviously this is wisdom based upon a difficult experience and poor decisions.

During the last 6+ years of reading and sharing thoughts about melanoma, I have been exposed to many such stories of tanning leading up to a diagnosis of skin cancer or melanoma.  Some former tanners have died as a result.  Some have survived with minimal scarring.  Many experiences lay somewhere in between the two extremes.   April’s story is not new, nor is it unique.  But it’s a story that should be shared as often as possible so that people understand the impact of tanning.  I applaud April sharing her story and for warning others to not make the same mistake.

The day after posting the article, I stumbled upon a video that April had appeared in which she shared her experience.  Despite the same story, the video had much more impact.  The skin on her face was raw due to the annual application of a chemo-cream that wards off pre-cancerous spots on her skin.  (My brother had used the same cream with the same results at one time during his years-long fight).  Not only was April sharing her story, her appearance conveyed the true struggle in living, red color.  Once again, I decided to share her story on my Facebook page.  The first comment posted to the video was this:

“This story pisses me off.  She got what she deserved.  Myself I NEVER EVER willingly went into the sun without sunblock and I got skin cancer.”

Needless to say, her comment inspired many to respond with angered tone.  I’ll admit that I was quite shocked at the statement as well.  Actually, I shouldn’t say I was shocked…I was disappointed.  As social media becomes an engrained part of everyday life, negativity and insensitivity seems to grow by leaps and bounds.  What people state online is often far more harsh than what one would say to a person to his or her face.  With that in mind, this woman’s statement shouldn’t be shocking at all.  But again, it’s disappointing.

My mom smoked.  She died of lung cancer at the age of 70 years old.  Her health suffered.  But she lived a pretty good life.  I’m biased because she was my mom, but I recall so many more good things about her than bad.  She deserved a quiet, painless death at the end of a longer life.  I wish she would have chosen not to smoke, but she didn’t deserve lung cancer even if she did.

My brother died of melanoma at the age of 55.  He never visited a tanning bed that I know of, but he certainly tanned at the pool in the summers.  Baby oil was his “lotion.”  At the time, sunburns were the enemy which we treated with Solarcaine and aloe.  Once the peeling and pain were gone, the issue of damaged skin was never thought of again.  It’s just how it was.  He led a very successful and happy life with his wife Debbie.  He had a great job which made him happy and they had many good friends.  He deserved to be alive today.  He did not deserve melanoma even if he did get some dark tans.

It seems that the lady that responded to the video did everything that she could to not endure sun damage.  Despite her efforts, she got skin cancer.  Perhaps that’s where her anger grows.  I have a cousin who had mouth cancer, despite never having smoked or chewed tobacco or any other “vices” associated with mouth cancer.  He often questioned why chain smokers would live cancer-free yet he had to suffer.  While most melanomas can be attributed to UV exposure, many cases cannot.  It just happens.  Redheads are predisposed to have a higher risk just because of who they are.  It’s not fair.  But redheads don’t “deserve” skin cancer any more than someone who tans.  No one deserves cancer.

I’ve kept the woman’s comment on my page along with the rebuttals and her counter-arguments.  I want there to be a voice…a dialogue.  I seriously doubt that this lady will take back her words in that her anger seems pretty deep.  I’m not a therapist, so perhaps my assumption about her anger is completely off the mark.  Maybe there is some other reason for her anger.  Or maybe she’s just an ass.

Regardless of who she is, she was diagnosed with skin cancer.  I applaud her efforts to fight off the ill-effects of the sun with sunblock.  I am sorry that she was diagnosed anyway.  I hope she doesn’t have melanoma or that she doesn’t have to suffer as April has or as my brother did prior to his death.  She may have pissed off a lot of people with her remarks, but even she doesn’t deserve the skin cancer she got.

Tanning is Not a Game!

I don’t shock easily.  I may find some things in this world upsetting or confusing or whatever, but rarely does something shock me.

Today, the Facebook Page “Pull the Plug on Tanning Beds” shared a children’s computer game called “Sophia the First Tanning Salon.”  Sophia the First is a popular cartoon princess who appears on the Disney Channel.  If you have any preschool daughters, you have undoubtedly heard of this little princess.   Anyhow, apparently the game allows the user, intended to be a small girl, to learn remedial computer skills by selecting items with the mouse through a tanning process.  “Pull the Plug” was livid and encouraged followers to write to the game company, and to Disney, to complain about this game.

I wrote the following:  "You have GOT to be kidding! The FDA has issued a warning against all minors from using tanning beds as a result of the increased risk of skin cancer and melanoma. And now you're teaching kids that tanning beds are fun? When will you come out with Sophia the First Humidor to teach kids the fun with smoking? How about Sophia the First Binge Drinking? Please take this game down now!"  Others sent similar messages.

But in all honesty, this didn’t shock me.  It surprised me because, while I knew the peer pressure to tan was evident in high schools, middle schools, and perhaps even elementary schools, I never suspected there to be such influence towards preschool girls.  Disappointed?  Yes, but not shocked.

It then occurred to me that Sophia the First might not be the only children’s character to fall to the seductions of tanning.  So I Googled “tanning games.”  I was quite surprised by the number of websites with similar games as Sophia…aimed at preschoolers and girls of all ages.  Again I was surprised and I browsed the many games.  And then…I was shocked:

All images from ogigames.com

Yes, what you see above is the beginning of a girls game called, “Cinderella Pregnant Tanning Solarium.”  I kid you not…this is real!

Per the introduction, “the sun is not strong enough for a tan and Cinderella cannot go to the beach, especially since she is pregnant.  (We’ll assume that she married Prince Charming before she got knocked up.)   She decided to go to the salon and get that perfect summer tan that will perfectly match her beautiful hair. First of all she must prepare for the solarium by choosing a nice bathing suit shave her legs and apply sun lotion for protection.”  (Um…if you’re using a tanning bed you ain’t gonna use sunscreen!)

So, I decided to play the game.  A guiding hand showed the young girl (me in this case) where to move the cursor and click the mouse.  First, one must select a swim suit.  I chose this frilly pink and blue striped bikini:

Next I used bolt cutters to remove any jewelry from Cindy’s body.  This included her necklace, bracelets and ankle bracelet.  Apparently this is to advise that it’s important not to wear metal in the tanning bed.  (I didn’t notice a wedding band either…hmmm)  And yes, I said bolt cutters:

Next I put a comb in her hair to make sure her neck would be nice and exposed to the rays, and then I shaved her legs:

I have no words.

Afterwards I applied “protective lotion.”  If you look carefully you can see the letters UV on the bottle.  They probably printed it so small so as not to lessen the tanning fun with pesky UV statistics.

Finally I gave Cindy her eye protection and it was off to the tanning bed!

Notice that there is a choice of a light, medium or dark tan.  The latter suggests a tanning time of 60 minutes.  Even though tanning salons are sleazy, I’m sure even they agree that poor Cinderella will turn into pumpkin bread after 60 minutes laying in the bed!  But what the heck, I chose dark.  After applying some “After Tan” spray plus a Pumpkin Carriage belly tattoo,  Cinderella was a new tanned (pregnant) princess!

Speaking of princesses, the player can opt for others to partake in this tanning pampering session, including Elsa, Ariel and the aforementioned Sophia.  Neither of the other princesses appears pregnant, but Barbie does indeed show up after having spent a careless night a few months ago with Ken and/or the Toy Story crew.

The point of this message is not to shock you with the story line of the game, but to be shocked that tanning influence exists when our kids are barely out of diapers!  We all know of the “dangers” of what may be online …but this is a different and unexpected kind of danger.  Please speak with your children and teach by example.  Wear your sunscreen, check your skin, and for goodness sake, stay out of the tanning beds!  Tanning is a game you will lose!

Are Tanning Beds Still A Thing? Sadly, yes

John Oliver is a British comedian who had appeared many times on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart and who now has his own show on HBO called “Last Week Tonight” which airs on Sundays.  He has a segment called, “How is this STILL a thing?” featuring funny bits on stupid or seemingly impractical practices that continue today.  Examples have included “Pennies,” “Daylight Savings Time,” and “Dressing up as other races.”  Last night he posed the question to tanning beds.  Have a look at the video…

I shared this on my Facebook page and it’s already been seen by many.  It’s refreshing to see a comedic take on the stupidity of using tanning beds.  But at the same time, the question remains, “how are tanning beds still a thing?”  The answer may lie within the video above.

There are organizations listed in the video that support the tanning industry including the Indoor Tanning Association and the American Suntanning Association.  These groups might support a stupid, vain and proven dangerous practice, but they are smart and savvy.

A few years ago, the ASA actually supported the North Carolina bill to ban tanning beds for those under 18 years of age.  Yes, they SUPPORTED the ban.  At the time, I was skeptical of their claim, wondering if they might not be realigning their tanning strategy from targeting high school kids to soliciting the college-age crowd.

I was right.  In the past couple of years, tanning salons have cropped up all over college campuses and some tanning beds are appearing in private and university-owned dormitories as part of an amenity package.  Luckily, there are folks trying to discourage colleges and universities from endorsing tanning businesses.  However, despite increased broadcasts of sunscreen importance and UV ray dangers, more and more “educated” college kids are seeking that golden tan.

But it’s not just the college crowd.  Blatant ignorance still exists in blue collar America.  Despite the warnings…despite the deaths…despite ample information, adults are still choosing to visit tanning salons.

A 34 year-old co-worker who recently started where I work announced last week that she was looking forward to hitting the tanning bed.  Having made the statement in front of me and  having not known my stance, other colleagues backed away as if Clint Eastwood was about to have a shootout.  As expected, I pretty much laid into the otherwise nice and sharp lady about her absolute stupidity at visiting a tanning salon.  Her arguments included, “I’ve been going for years and I don’t have cancer,” “But I never burn,” “My skin is too ugly unless it has some color,” and the classic “I need a base tan for when I’m outside this summer.”  Yes, I rebutted each point (“Each time you go you increase your chances and it’s a cumulative effect,” “Tanning is a sign of skin damage, not just burning,” “Your skin color is beautiful but you will get more wrinkles and sun damage if you continue tanning,” and “Bullshit!”)  Still, she hasn’t changed her mind and despite being older than an over confident college kid, she still approaches tanning with an exuberant ignorance.  It’s really frustrating. 

And yes, tanning beds are still a thing.  Just not a good thing.

<sigh>

The Wolf Reveals Itself

Back in May, I wrote a post about the proposed tanning ban bill in North Carolina and how the American Suntanning Association actually supported the bill.  (It has yet to pass).  I stated that I was suspicious of the ASA’s motives to back such legislation to ban minors from tanning salons.  I suspected that they wanted any discussion of the negative impact of tanning to be swept under the rug. 

“Having no opposition to this bill means there will be no heated debate.  There will be no online forums.  There will be minimal media coverage at best.”

I went on to predict that while people would celebrate the passage of such a bill, the tanning industry would be licking their chops toward an older population.  After all, according to the ASA, those under 18 years of age account for only about 2% of the indoor tanning clientele.

“I predict the ASA will refocus their monies from fighting legislation to pushing the tanning industry on the over 18 crowd.  College towns will have an increase in tanning salons.  Specials on lotions and tanning sessions will be promoted on campus.  University girls will be reminded that having no tan before Spring Break is a fashion faux pas.  The wolf will shed its sheep’s clothing and the tanning industry will evoke a full frontal assault on the 20-somethings.  Sadly, many will buy into it all.”

Today, I read where that sheep’s clothing has indeed been shed,  Here's one of many articles.

A study published in JAMA Dermatology (a journal of the American Medical Association) reports that 12% of the top 125 colleges across the US provide on-campus tanning facilities. Over 14% of colleges allow the use of campus cash cards to pay for tanning.   Also, more than 42% of the campuses have tanning facilities in off-campus housing that are pretty much part of the rent.  In other words, there is no limit on usage for the tenants!

The conclusion of the study: “Reducing the availability of indoor tanning on and around college campuses is an important public health target.”

What did the tanning industry have to say about this? Well, the Indoor Tanning Association stated “There is no consensus among researchers regarding the relationship between melanoma skin cancer and UV exposure either from the sun or a sunbed.”  No surprise there.  The wolf is back.

We need to take the study’s conclusion to heart…we need to make college-supported tanning a target for elimination.  We, as alumni, students and supporters need to contact our institutions of higher learning and demand that on-campus tanning be eliminated completely.  We need to demand that the schools not endorse off-campus housing that provides tanning beds as amenities.  We need to support and promote any campaigns that educate the student population on UV exposure and its true relationship to skin cancer and melanoma.  We need to contact our fraternity brothers and sorority sisters and encourage them to take positive action in this cause.  We need to make the university and college student population understand that the damage they do to their skin today will last a lifetime.

Please take action.  It’s the only way to defeat the wolf.  

Secrets

Image: washingtonpost.com

The holiday season is a time for many things.  Family.  Friends.  Worship.  And secrets.  Everyone in my family has at least one secret during the holidays, mostly involving gifts.  My kids are both now in Middle School and they have become quite talented at keeping secrets.  Each of them picked out presents for other family members by themselves this year.  Each also have neither confirmed nor denied the existence of a certain North Pole resident.  I imagine they suspect that Santa is not a real person, but they’re keeping that opinion to themselves.  My guess is that if they announce a disbelief in Saint Nick, they believe the presents will cease to appear on Christmas morning.  At least that was my thought at the same age.  Regardless, they are both keeping this a secret from me.

Another secret was revealed to me over these last two weeks.  My ever-developing and maturing 11-year old daughter who has always adored me as a hero now has a boyfriend.  It’s just a class-mate crush, but I’m aware that such “relationships” are more complicated in this day of texting and emailing.  I don’t have a fear of my daughter having a boyfriend…just of the modern day etiquette and practices of which I’m not aware.  She finally asked my wife to share the news with me, so I approached my daughter with a smiling and understanding expression and told her I wouldn’t tease her (much) and that it was okay to have a boyfriend.  I also told her a father’s job is not to tease the daughter, but to intimidate the boyfriend, so I’d look forward to that day soon.

It was my son who surprised me the most.  He knew of his sister’s boyfriend (who happens to be one of my son’s best friends…another dynamic that should prove to be challenging down the road).  What surprised me is that he could keep a secret at all.  He’s the one that often blurts out the most untimely comments in public (think “Fire! in a crowded movie house”).  He’s always the one that crumbles under the “Daddy stare” into a fit of giggles and cries of “Okay okay…I’ll tell you!”  But within Boyfriend-Gate, he showed no signs of having knowledge at all.  I would be proud of him if it wasn’t for the worry this has set upon me.  These are the first secrets of many to come.  Many, many!

Don’t get me wrong, I have fantastic kids.  Sure, I have parental bias, but I think I speak fact as well.  They both do well in school and each has a good set of friends that also perform well in class as well as in social groups.  My kids could be more active, but their lack of involvement is as much my fault as anyone’s.  Overall, they are really good kids.  Good kids that have learned to keep secrets really well.

I predict (hope) that they will make good decisions in the future.  They know that smoking is bad (it killed their grandma) and that tanning is bad (it contributed to their uncle’s death).  But I know they’ll do things and try things of which they’ll keep secrets.  I know this because I did.  I have secrets that I would never tell my parents and that I’ll probably take to my grave.  I did things that I knew “was wrong” and yet I did them anyway.  I’ve made better and smarter decisions later in life and would most likely not repeat some of those earlier actions.  Those actions…which started when I was just slightly older than what my kids are now.  So yeah, I have to be realistic and know that my kids will make some poor decisions.  Despite being incredibly well behaved kids now, they’ll make the occasional bone-headed decision.  And they’ll keep some so secret that they’ll take them to their grave.

I have some solace in knowing that some decisions are made more difficult to carry through. I know that my son won’t be hopping in my car to zoom down the road, at least until he’s 15 or 16, because middle schoolers are too young to drive.  I know that my daughter won’t go off to buy cigarettes from the store until she’s around 18 (hopefully never) because that’s the age limit in North Carolina.  I know that neither will go off to buy a pint of Crown Royal until they’re 21, the legal drinking age in this state.  There are other such age restrictions which help to put my mind at ease.  I’m not so naïve to realize that loopholes can’t be found or that a friend or young adult might not sneak a drink or a smoke their way.  Still, I do know that such laws make access more difficult.

That’s why I support any efforts toward a ban on tanning beds for minors.  I know that my kids are good kids.  I know that I have parental control over these kids…now.  I also know that good kids (yes, I was a “good kid”) will purposely make a bad choice and then keep it a secret.  I’m convinced they will stay away from tanning beds.  But then again….

Kudos to our friend Chelsea Dawson for fighting for a tanning bed ban in Virginia.  Cheers to all others that have won the fights in their states or plan to continue the fight in others.  I wholeheartedly agree that parents should have the responsibility for their children and understand that every parent believes they have good kids.  Almost as good as mine.  But I also know that kids will make mistakes that can affect their lives in dramatic ways.  We might think our kids will make the right choices…but we might never know their secrets.

Mailing Outrage

Imagine having lost a child to a killer.  Imagine having lost the child only a few months ago and her first birthday in heaven was approaching.  Imagine checking the mail one day, and you find a birthday present for your child…from the killer.

In essence, this just happened to Susan Hayes.  You may be familiar with her daughter Jillian’s story.  She was a young woman who was diagnosed with advanced melanoma at a far-too-young age.  She blamed tanning for her melanoma, being quoted as saying, “laying out in the sun and tanning beds pretty much screwed me.”  Yet, despite Jillian’s difficult illness and eventual passing, she and her mother worked diligently to raise awareness.  Erecting awareness billboards in Michigan and North Carolina, sharing their story on TV, and sharing the deepest feelings on Susan’s blog…I believe it’s safe to say that they have been responsible for saving the lives of many others with their efforts.  If ever there was a candidate for a Susan B. Komen of melanoma, Jillian would be near the top.

Today, Susan checked her mail and found the following:

 

Yes, it’s a free birthday gift from the very tanning salon that contributed to Jillian’s death…sent to Jillian.

I can’t imagine the range of emotions that Susan must have felt.  I felt outrage…and I’ve never met the family.  I have no doubt that Susan will turn this sick irony into a spin to raise awareness even more.  She’s good that way.

I understand that TropiTan had no malicious intent by sending this to the Hayes household.  I once worked for a company that dealt with mass mailing, and there’s no thought process at all.  Letters or postcards are sent to everyone in a database, period.  Jillian was probably in the database as a past customer or merely because she was listed as a local girl in her prime tanning years.  Regardless, I’m still mad at this mailing.  Just read the postcard! 

“Look amazing for your birthday with a head turning, jaw-dropping golden glow that is GUARANTEED to get you noticed.”

While mailing this to Jillian was an unfortunate and ironic mistake, there are hundreds of others that will receive this same “gift” in the mail with the intent of luring young image-conscious girls into the tanning world.  The industry will claim health benefits and safety measures, but will most likely never mention a word about the increased chance of a melanoma diagnosis by 75% or more.  They won’t mention the wrinkles and aging that occurs (perhaps a more effective message to these girls).  They won’t mention that tanning is banned for minors in several states and other countries.  No, they’ll merely offer a birthday “gift” from their new “friends” at TropiTan.

That is, assuming they’ll be around for the next birthday.

Stupidity

I’ve been told that the definition of insanity is performing the same task over and over while expecting a different result every time.  I would think that “stupidity” would fall under a similar definition.  Perhaps stupidity is acting the same way over and over while ignoring the eventual risks and consequences.  If this is the case, then I’m definitely stupid.

I have extremely high triglycerides…the secret cousin of cholesterol.  For that matter, my cholesterol is pretty high as well.  All of my uncles have all had a heart attack, my dad had two nearly blocked carotid arteries, and my mother had a stroke.  To say that I have a family history of cardiovascular issues is putting it mildly.  I’m very much aware that I’m a walking heart attack, yet I just ate a cheese burger with fries for my holiday dinner.  In fact, I love pizza, Italian food and Mexican food.  And since my work schedule is usually very busy, I tend to rely on processed food to feed me at lunch.  See?  I’m stupid.

My parents and brother were stupid as well.  They smoked…a lot.  My mom died of lung cancer, but her life-long fight with lupus contributed as much to her passing as her smoking.  Still, if I had a dime for every time she (or Dad or Jeff) said “I know cigarettes are bad for me…”  How many times have you heard this?  Yeah…stupid.  At least Dad wised up and stopped smoking, as did Jeff.  After Mom died.  Sometimes a real hard slap in the face is what’s needed to get rid of stupid.

While on vacation last week, I witnessed other acts of stupidity.  Many folks at the pool or beach were lying out in the sun with basically no sunscreen.  What most of these people were applying was tanning oils and lotions with little or no SPF.  There was one remarkably attractive woman sitting near me at the pool with glistening skin that was three or four shades darker than her natural skin tone should have been.  She’ll look like a leather couch before she’s 30 years old.  She might be a rocket scientist for all I know…but she’s stupid.

Not long ago, I might have called such folks ignorant because they might not have been aware of the dangers of tanning…but that’s no longer a valid excuse.  Most “sun care” displays at stores now mention the benefits of sunscreen. 

 

This one is at Wal-mart

 

While skin cancer isn’t always listed, “aging” is certainly a scary enough word for most young tanners.  And if the displays don’t convey the message, certainly the news nowadays about tanning legislation and the dangers of UV rays have been heard.  No, today’s tanner is not ignorant, he’s stupid.

You might say that some are misinformed.  After all, the tanning folks tout the health benefits of tanning.  I’ve discussed this before…and to believe such nonsense is not a matter of being misinformed, it’s a matter of being stupid.

A friend of mine knew that telling me to stop eating such foods would not work, so instead of repeating this request over and over and expecting me to change, they decided to beg me to see a doctor.  Rather than discuss weight (I’m not a big guy anyhow) or my diet, the doctor showed me the lab report on my blood work, then explained how if the numbers increased to a certain amount, I could expect a heart attack or worse.  This opened my eyes more than the constant bickering from loved ones.  I began to take medication and started to take more notice of my actions.  I still have a ways to go, but believe it or not, I’ve come a long way over the last 10 years or so (my fries were baked tonight and I had fresh vegetables as an additional side).

We can’t tell a tanner to stop tanning.  If we repeat the message over and over to the excessive tanner, we’ll be engaging in insane behavior.  Instead, we need to ask him…beg him…to see a dermatologist for a full skin screening.  If he's lucky, the doctor will never find a suspicious spot and he can go on with his potentially destructive behavior.  If he's not as lucky, then perhaps he'll catch the cancer early enough to treat.  Otherwise, he’ll eventually receive that dreaded slap in the face of a loved one’s death…or a dire diagnosis.

We can’t stop stupidity, but perhaps we can take the sane route and convince those who tan (and those who don’t) to get regular skin checks.  Emphasizing that might be the best way to beat the stupid out of a loved one.

Is Anti-Tan the Same as Anti-Sun?

Whenever I read an article about anti-tanning legislation on a local news website, the “comments” section is filled with those opposed to such a ban.  They cite that government should not dictate parental rights (yet we have age restrictions on cigarettes and alcohol as well as many others).  Some mention that tanning beds provide valuable Vitamin D to a population that’s seriously deficient (it doesn’t).  Whatever the argument, I typically write it off as the person being misinformed.  I sometimes offer up a response, but I’ve also learned that once someone has an opinion, it’s pretty difficult to change it. 

However, there’s one misconception I see over and over that just floors me.  “Anti-tanners want to ban sunshine!”  This couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Sure, one can get an unhealthy dose of UV radiation from the sunshine, but one needs to understand the difference between exposure in a tanning bed versus exposure under the sun.

As you probably know, there are two types of UV rays emitted by the sun.  UVA rays go deeper into the skin and typically don’t burn.  They cause the inner skin to darken or tan.  They also cause the skin to age more quickly (UVA –UV Aging) and cause DNA damage.  UVB affects the surface if the skin more and causes sun burns (UVB – UV Burning).

Your body is an amazing thing.  When there is danger, it has a way of warning you.  If you touch something that’s hot, your skin feel s pain and you instantly pull away your hand.  But what if you couldn’t feel that pain?

Imagine going to a dentist and you have your mouth numbed with Novocain.  Before you leave, the dentist warns you not to drink anything hot or to bite your lip.  He issues this warning because he knows that while you can’t feel the pain, you can damage your lips or mouth. 

Your body has a natural mechanism to protect itself from too much sun exposure.  When UVB rays from natural sunshine start to burn the skin, the body announces that it’s time to seek shade.  Without those UVB rays, the body has no way of detecting when it’s time to get out of the sun.  That’s where the danger lays in tanning beds versus sunshine. 

There are no UVB rays in most tanning beds, so your body won’t get burnt.  However, the UVA rays still penetrate your skin and cause serious damage.  In fact, the amount of UVA radiation from the bed may actually be many times more intense than from natural sunlight!  When you leave the tanning salon, you won’t feel the pain or the burn, but the damage will be there.  It’s like drinking scalding hot coffee with a numb mouth…you won’t feel the pain, but the damage has taken place.

This is not to say that the sun is entirely safe, but this doesn’t mean that we fear the sun and expect it to be shunned.  What we do is respect the sun. 

Those who have been adversely affected by the sun (whether it be from melanoma or aged skin) have every right to fear the sun.  But for many, they’ve learned to respect it rather than fear it.  They have learned that it’s important to wear sunscreen when enjoying the sun’s warmth.  They know it’s best to seek shade between 10AM and 4PM when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.  They know that wearing a hat provides additional protection.  Believe it or not, they enjoy the sun very much.  They embrace the sun.  They also know the limits in which to enjoy and learned to respect it.

So are those opposed to tanning in beds also opposed to the sun?  No.  In fact, we encourage you to enjoy the sun, but to be safe within in.  Just realize that a tanning bed offers much different dangers from the sun and they should indeed be avoided.  Tanning beds are NOT the sun…not at all.

Sources:  American Cancer Society, Skin Cancer Foundation, Melanoma Research Foundation, and plain ol' common sense!

Good Question

Daddy?

Yes?

How old do you have to be to own a gun?

Hmmm…the law says 18 years old, 21 for hand guns.

Why?

Because the government wisely determined that guns can be very dangerous and it takes an older person to understand the risks and responsibilities.

Daddy?

Yes?

How old do you have to be to buy alcohol?

State law says 21 years old.

Why?

Because the government wisely determined that drinking alcohol can be very dangerous and it takes an older person to understand the risks and responsibilities.

Daddy?

Yes?

How old do you have to be to drive a car?

State law says you have to be 16 years old.

Why?

Because the government wisely determined that driving a car can be dangerous and it takes an older person to understand the risks and responsibilities.

Daddy?

Yes?

How old do you have to be to buy cigarettes?

State law says you have to be 18 years old.

Why?

Because the government wisely determined that smoking cigarettes can be dangerous and it takes an older person to understand the risks and responsibilities.

Daddy?

Yes?

How old do you have to be to go to a tanning salon?

State law says you can go when you're 14 with just written permission from your parent.

Couldn't that be faked?

 

Probably.

Daddy?

Yes?

Didn't you tell me that tanning beds have a link to skin cancer?

Yes.

 

Doesn't drinking, smoking, shooting and wreckless driving also cause problems?

 

Yes.

 

Then why hasn't the government made any wise determinations regarding tanning salons?

 

Good question.

Suburgatory and Tanning

I seem to have limited opportunity to watch television anymore, but one show I try to watch each week is “Modern Family.”  I think it’s hilarious and it offers a nice little 30 minute escape.  After the show I return to reality by cleaning up the dishes or doing the laundry or performing some other real-life task.  I usually leave the room with the TV still on with no intent of really watching it. 

The show that follows “Modern Family” is “Suburgatgory,” a show about a teen girl named Tessa and her dad who moved to a Stepford Wives type of suburban town called Chatswin after having lived in New York City.  It seems like a cute show but it just doesn’t fit my schedule except as background noise as I check the kids’ homework or clean up some cat puke off the carpet. (Yes, this is real life in the suburbs).

However, the show has caught my attention the last two weeks.  On the first episode of the season, Tessa (played by gorgeous-skinned ginger Jane Levy) returns back to Chatswin after spending the summer in NYC with her grandmother “while everyone was cultivating Stage 3 skin cancer at the Chatswin Country Club.” When this line was stated in the dialogue, the camera showed two of the series stars sun bathing poolside at the club while the housekeeper desperately tried to spray sun screen on their skin. 

 

 

Very subtle, but considering that many of the town’s residents are portrayed as self-serving and shallow folk, it was actually a very good commentary.  I hope those that watched it caught the real message…sunbathing is stupid and causes cancer!

The second episode was a Halloween show.  I didn’t catch a lot of it, but apparently there was a rumored witch in town.  The witch followed Tessa throughout the episode and in the end it was revealed that she was merely a nature-loving feminist with opinions opposite of one of the town’s main residents. 

 

 

The haggard-looking lady said, “I’m just a 45 year old woman who hasn’t had any work done.”  Tessa questioned, “Only 45, eh?” to which the witch replied, “Yeah, I did a lot of sun.  I didn’t know how damaging it was back then.”

Having not watched this show during its freshman year, I’m not sure whether such anti-tanning comments are common or even intentional, but I have to applaud the writers.  Such subtle, almost subliminal jokes and statements like this are just as effective against tanning as a 30-minute PSA.  If this show includes a little dig against tanning even every other episode, fans of the show will start to think the same way.  Imagine if other shows and popular movies would work in similar messages!

Thank you “Suburgatory” and keep making those digs at tanning.

Sunscreen...One Defense but Not the Only Defense

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) put out a report in May about the realities of sunscreen.  In short, they cite that the use of sunscreen could be ineffective and in some cases, damaging.  But you really have to read deeper into their words…far beyond the headline.

The report states that sunscreen may not, in fact prevent melanoma or basal cell carcinoma.  This correlates with a presentation I attended at UNC a couple months ago where Dr. Antony reported basically the same thing.  However, there was a study in Australia in 2011 that showed decreased risk of melanoma with regards to sunscreen users.  In short, the jury is still out, but most dermatologists still suggest the use of sunscreen.  The use of sunscreen may not be dangerous…it’s how we apply it.

It’s a fact that many of are guilty of…we don’t wear sunscreen every day.  When we do, it’s when we plan to spend a large amount of time outdoors on a sunny day.  Going to the pool or beach, going golfing, attending an outdoor festival…these are events that cause many of us to apply the lotion or spray.  It seems many of us equate sunscreen application with hot weather…as if it offers a cooling agent.  In reality, UV rays are immune to temperature…they’ll beat down upon you whether it’s hot, comfortable or cold.  To effectively fight off the daily affects of UV rays, we need to apply it every day.  As stated in “Dear 16 Year Old Me,” it’s a huge pain in the ass, but it’s worth it.

Many folks develop a false sense of security when they lather on the sunscreen.   Sometimes, even after a couple hours in the sun and in the pool, you can feel the lotion still on the skin so you feel like the sunscreen is still doing the job.  But the effectiveness of the sunscreen breaks down while the lotion itself may remain.  It’s important to reapply every two hours…even if you still feel it on you.

We also have to understand that sunscreen is not the only defense against UV rays and skin cancer.  It is ONE defense…but it can’t do the job alone.  We must be sun-safe and protect ourselves in other ways:

·       Wear a hat…one that protects your ears and neck is best.

·       Wear sunglasses that protect against UV rays.

·       Stay in the shade.  Trust me, not only does it help fight the UV rays, it feels a lot cooler on these 100+ degree days!

·       Avoid the midday sun.  If the length of your shadow is shorter than your height, the sun is giving you a full beat down.  Try to get out in the morning before 10:00 or the evening after 4:00.

·       Wear protective clothing.  Light but tight-woven fabrics are best…or seek out UV protective clothing at UV Skinz, Coolibar, or other such retailers.

Sunscreen is one good defense against UV rays and ultimately skin cancer, but it needs help in winning the battle.  Apply it correctly, apply it often, but don’t count on it to do all the work.   

Tanning Myths and Facts

I will be attending an event at the NC State Legislature Building on June 13.  This event will support efforts by the North Carolina Dermatology Association to help spread the word about tanning beds.  I’m sure there will be an itinerary and I’ll stick with any discussions on their agenda.  Still, I hope to steer some legislators towards this blog and have them read some thoughts and facts I’ve gathered for their information and knowledge.

So Mr. /Ms. Legislator, I present to you several myths and facts below regarding indoor tanning.  Please read, learn, and support a tanning ban for minors in North Carolina.

Myth:  Indoor Tanning Doesn't Cause Melanoma

Fact:  The term “causes” implies that if you tan, you WILL get cancer. This is wrong, however the fact remains that exposure to indoor tanning increases the risk of developing melanoma.  A review of 19 separate published studies showed that use of tanning beds boosted the risk of melanoma by 75%.

Myth: You Need the UV Rays to Get Enough Vitamin D

Fact:  No one disputes that sunlight produces vitamin D which improves bone health and possibly heart health and resistance to breast cancer.  However, most medical professionals suggest receiving your Vitamin D intake through supplements and Vitamin D fortified food such as milk, cereal, and yogurt as well as from salmon and tuna.

Myth: Tanning beds are a safe way to tan

Fact:  There is no safe way to tan.  Tanning, whether indoor or outdoor, is evidence of damaged skin at the inner, epidermal region.     

Myth: Tanning beds emit UVA rays which do not burn the skin the way UVB rays will.  Therefore, tanning beds are safer than the sun which emits both UVA and UVB rays.

Fact:  While UVB rays are the main contributor to sunburns, the World Health Organization has determined that UVA rays are equally dangerous and perhaps even more likely to lead to melanoma.

Myth: Tanning beds emulate the natural sun.  The sun isn’t bad for you!

Fact: No one will deny that the sun is essential for life and generally good for you.  But the UV rays within the sun are dangerous.  Tanning beds are concentrated UV rays which have been measured to emit 12X the amount of UV radiation as the outdoor sunshine!

Myth: Getting a base tan from indoor tanning protects your skin.

Fact:  While a base tan offers some minimal protection, any change in skin color, including the base tan itself, is the body’s natural defense against too much UV radiation.  In short, ANY tan is visible evidence that the skin is already damaged.

Myth: Sunless tanning sprays offer protection from the sun.

Fact:  While spray tans are certainly the preferred method of getting that “summer glow,” the sprays offer absolutely no protection against UV rays.  These self-tanners merely color the dead skin cells on the skin’s outer most layer.  Those who spray tan still need to apply sunscreen when outdoors.

Myth:  Tanning beds are the best way to treat various ailments, such as acne and psoriasis.

Fact:  While some practitioners might suggest such treatment, the vast majority of medical professionals will state that the risks of tanning beds far outweigh any such benefits.  For those people who are convinced otherwise, I would propose a law that states any “prescribed” treatments be administered by a licensed radiologist in a controlled medical facility, and not within a tanning booth run by employees working for the summer.

Myth:  Current laws requiring parental consent are effective, thus no further restrictions are needed.

Fact:  There have been reports, including one by the NBC Today Show, where under-aged women were freely allowed to use the tanning facilities despite the local or state laws requiring parental consent.  Also, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce released a report that revealed tanning salons were routinely not providing proper information to teens, including inaccuracies about health risks, in an effort to gain business.  Loose legislation simply will not work.  Tougher laws are necessary to protect our children.

Myth:  Government should not impose age restrictions.

Fact:  If that were the case, we’d be selling alcohol and cigarettes to minors, as well as allowing children to drive cars and vote.  Age limits already exist, and for good reason.  In the case of alcohol and tobacco, such limits are meant to protect the children.  For voting and driving, the limits may be imposed because children simply do not have the intellectual maturity to make the decisions involved with each.  Kids just don’t realize the dangers of tanning and they will continue to use tanning beds despite any potential dangers in their future.  Like with alcohol and tobacco, the government has a responsibility to help protect our children!  The State of California and the City of Chicago have already taken such responsibility!

Myth:  If tanning restrictions are imposed, many tanning salons will close, putting people out of work.

Fact:  When the drinking age was raised from 18 to 21, there was much discussion on the effects towards alcohol sales and bar patronage.  Naturally, business did fall off, but it did not disappear.  Likewise, despite the wishes of those who oppose tanning, the tanning industry will not disappear entirely.  However, safe spray tanning has also grown in popularity.  If government is afraid of increased unemployment, I would suggest a subsidy program for tanning salons to trade in their tanning booths and beds for spraying equipment and training.  This would help keep the children safe from tanning and promote ongoing business.

The studies and facts from which the above claims are made include legitimate sources such as the American Cancer Society, the American Academy of Dermatology, the FDA, and the World Health Organization.   The latter has classified ultraviolet radiation as a carcinogenic, in the same category as plutonium and uranium.

In summary, there is no such thing as a safe tan.  But the fact remains that many teenagers (and adults) consider being tan a fashionable necessity.  It’s time to protect these children and impose an indoor tanning ban on minors.  Once these children grow up to adulthood, they can make their own choices…and hopefully, the healthier choice.