Self Tanning
More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. With skin cancer rates on the rise, Americans are turning to safer, "sunless" tanning products.
Instead of basking in the sun and exposing themselves to damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation for the sake of a tan, consumers are playing it smart and finding self-tanning products or sunless tanners are a healthy alternative to achieving a golden glow.
Consumers using self-tanning products containing DHA should be aware that these products provide limited sun protection. Although some self-tanning products are adding sunscreens to their formulas to provide sun protection, the DHA in sunless tanners provides little protection against UV radiation.
Tanning Accelerators: Lotions and pills marketed as "tanning accelerators" often contain tyrosine (an amino acid), in combination with other substances. Tanning accelerators may be marketed with the claim that they enhance tanning by stimulating and increasing melanin formation. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded "tanning accelerators" are unapproved drugs, and the agency has issued warning letters to several manufacturers of these products. According to the FDA, there is a lack of scientific data showing that they work; in fact, at least one study has found them ineffective.
Self tanners are an excellent way to get bronzed without taking in the sun. For the most natural looking fake tan experts recommend exfoliating the body before applying your self tanner.
Sunless Tanners and Bronzers: Sunless tanners, sometimes referred to as self-tanners or tanning extenders, are promoted as a way to get tan without the sun. They produce a tanned appearance by interacting with amino acids on the skin's surface. These products can be difficult to apply and the chemicals may react differently on various areas of your body, resulting in uneven coloring.
Sunless tanners and bronzers may or may not contain sunscreen ingredients or be labeled with sun protection factor numbers. Consumers are advised to read the labeling carefully to determine whether or not these products provide protection from the sun.
The FDA offers these additional sun-safety tips:
- When at the beach or pool, cover exposed areas with tightly woven clothing, and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head and face.
- Protect your children's skin; research indicates that one or more severe, blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of skin cancer later in life.
- Remember the sun's rays are strongest from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, especially during late spring and summer. Reflected glare from water and snow also increases your exposure to UV radiation.
- Protect your eyes from the sun. Too much UV radiation can damage the cornea and lead to cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye that can cause blindness. Not all tinted glasses [even very dark ones] protect against UV radiation. Check the label when choosing sunglasses to make sure that they provide adequate UV protection.
| 
