Children and Teens Are More at Risk in Tanning Salons

(By Dr Sean Lanigan)

As the winter chill draws in and the holiday tan fades, more young people are being tempted by the lure of tanning beds and a quick top up to prevent themselves becoming 'pale and interesting'. A celebrity culture where a tanned glow indicates health, wealth and success has been partially responsible for the explosion over the last 10 years in the popularity of tanning beds. But although it offers quick results, the long-term effects can have a much greater impact on overall health. And that is particularly true in younger people.

The ultraviolet rays emitted by tanning beds have been a cause for concern for some time. Much more intense than the natural UV rays emitted by the sun, tanning beds are a concentrated burst of radiation that has been directly linked to a higher incidence of skin melanomas and cancer. Media reports have clamoured for an outright ban on tanning beds, or at the very least, a limit on the age of those allowed using them. Why the limit? Because new evidence is emerging to suggest that younger skin is even more susceptible to the harmful effects of UV light than adult skin.

Skin cancer in children often goes unnoticed because doctors have so far regarded them at lower risk of developing melanomas than adults. It is now becoming apparent that children and teenagers are just as prone to UV skin damage as adults. However, it has also been shown that a degree of tanning can help some skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis, which are common in teenagers and young people. So where is the line between safe tanning and an unacceptable risk?

Tanning inevitably alters the structure of the skin, by producing more melanin (which is what gives tanned skin its colour). Over-exposure to UV light, whether that's from a natural source like the sun or from artificial tanning from sun beds is going to have a damaging effect. But by taking precautions and adopting a sensible attitude to tanning, a balance can be struck that minimises the potential risks in later life. It is vital to avoid consecutive tanning sessions. The recommendation is that there should be at least 48 hours between sessions, although for younger, more delicate skin, this gap between sessions should be much greater. Those at 'high risk' (for example with a history of melanomas or with particularly fair skin) should consider the alternatives, namely fake tan or just accept that pale skin is just as beautiful as bronzed, tanned skin. It is the skin condition that is important, and good skin clinics will be able to advice on the best course of skin care if you suffer from a skin condition such as acne, but don't want to expose yourself to excessive UV light from a tanning bed.

There have been repeated calls by the medical profession to put a lower age limit on the use of tanning beds, and many responsible skin clinics will not allow anyone under the age of 14 to use a sun bed. Although 65,000 cases of skin cancer are reported in the UK each year, there are no statistics available to determine how many of those cases are directly linked to sun bed use. So the message is yes, you can use sun beds, but in moderation and certainly not more than once a week. Any more than that and you do run the risk of damaging your skin, ageing it prematurely and even risking the development malignant melanomas. Common sense has to prevail, and the celebrity culture that is such a huge influence on young people has to take a little more responsibility and promote healthy skin care, and not just some unachievable, glamorous ideal that has no place in the real world outside Hollywood.

Dr Sean Lanigan -Consultant Dermatologist - sk:n was established in 1990 and is the UK's leading provider of skincare conditions treatments including: laser hair removal & laser tattoo removal.

(Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com)

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