Teens Tanning More Than Ever
Posted July 10, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Teens are tanning more than ever, and they’re less likely to be wearing sunscreen, according to a national survey funded by the Canadian Cancer Society.
Julia is one of them. She describes herself as a “sun lover.”
“I can’t get enough of it,” she adds.
The teen isn’t alone. Nora uses tanning oil despite the risks.
“I’ve learned about it, how dangerous it can be, but I just want a tan!” she exclaims.
The findings have researchers – and parents – alarmed.
“Well, it’s very concerning because skin cancer is a serious disease. It’s the number one cancer in Canada. All these people are unwittingly or knowingly exposing themselves to a carcinogen,” admonishes Danielle Paterson of the Canadian Cancer Society.
One dad out at Woodbine Park Thursday made sure to protect his young daughter.
“I know that it’s cumulative, the damage from the sun, so it’s too late for me but not too late for her so we try to get her sunscreen when she goes out,” Paul Wernick explained.
“These results [from the survey] are disheartening. Skin cancer incidence rates continue to rise in Canada, including among young adults,” Dr. Loraine Marrett said in a press release. She’s the lead researcher of the survey and a senior scientist at Cancer Care Ontario.
And if you think a quick “fake and bake” is safe, think again:
“Like the sun, artificial tanning equipment emits ultra violet radiation and that can cause cancer,” Paterson cautions.
The study found that Canadians 16-24 years of age are the most likely to try and get a tan, either from the sun or artificial means. Nearly half of women in that bracket – 49 per cent – and 28 per cent of young men actively try to get a tan from the sun, while 27 per cent of young women use tanning equipment, which is higher than use among young men or older adults.
Just 42 per cent of young men and 58 per cent of young women protect themselves from overexposure to the sun – much lower than in older populations.
Most Canadian adults 65 and older are practising very effective sun safety and parents are doing a good job of protecting children one to five years of age.
Young people themselves are certainly getting the message. William, just seven years old, offered these words of wisdom:
“The sun might burn your skin, and it will hurt badly.”
Dr Marrett acknowledged that sun exposure in moderation can have health benefits. For example, it enables people to make vitamin D, which is essential for good health. But determining how much sun exposure to get is the tricky part.
“It’s a very difficult question,” agrees Paterson.
“We really advise people to enjoy themselves outside, to be physically active but to protect themselves from the sun.”
Protection becomes even more important when you consider the consequences: nearly 5000 Canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, and an estimated 910 people will die from the deadly skin cancer.
The National Sun Survey was carried out across Canada in 2006. More than 7,000 adults (16 years and older) were surveyed.
Read the highlights from the survey here (PDF)
Check out these tips for getting a sunless tan.
Though many T-shirts proclaim that “pale is the new tan” and Hollywood routinely offers up fair-skinned beauties like Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johannson and Dita Von Teese, it seems that some people will do anything to achieve a sun-kissed glow.
There are many products available for getting that bronzed look without going outside, from creams to gels to sprays.
How do they work?
The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA).
When applied to your skin, DHA reacts with dead cells in the outermost layer of skin to temporarily darken the skin’s appearance. The coloring doesn’t wash off, but it gradually fades as the dead skin cells slough off. In most cases, the color is completely gone after five to seven days.
Is it safe?
The American Food and Drug Administration considers DHA safe when applied to the skin. However, if you’re using a spray or having someone else “mist” you, close your eyes and hold your breath. The dangers of inhaling or ingesting DHA are unknown.
Do they protect you from the sun?
Unfortunately not. Most don’t contain sunscreen, and you’ll still need to wear one and protect your skin when you go outside.
Are tanning pills safe?
In a word, no. They can cause crystals to form in your eyes, and also nausea, cramps and diarrhea.
How to apply?
- Fair-skinned people should choose a light- or medium-toned product, which tends to look more natural.
- Before using the product, wash and exfoliate your skin with a wash cloth or sponge to remove excess dead skin cells. Women should shave their legs for an even application.
- Apply the sunless tanning product evenly and lightly. Use less product on dry skin or thickened skin, such as over your ankles, knees and elbows. These areas tend to absorb more product.
- After you apply the product to your face and body, wash your hands with soap and water to avoid coloring your palms. Be sure to remove any product from under your fingernails. Then use a cotton ball to apply the sunless tanner to the top of each hand.
- To prevent staining your clothes, wait to dress until the sunless tanner dries completely, about 15 to 20 minutes.
All tips taken from the Mayo Clinic.
