8 Truths About Tanning

Don't get burned by misinformation—follow this guide to stay safe in the sun

Summer's here, which means you're probably spending lots of time outdoors. But before you head to the pool, the beach or even a barbecue, take a minute to learn the truth about keeping your skin healthy.

Myth #1: Tanning is only dangerous if you burn.
There's no such thing as a safe tan, says Debra J. Wattenberg, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. "Any tan—unless it's sprayed on or comes out of a bottle—damages your skin's DNA" and puts you at risk for skin cancer, she says.

Myth #2: Once you get a base tan, you won't burn.
Just because you already have a little color doesn't mean you can't burn. "The idea of a 'base tan' gives you a false sense of security," says Horatio F. Wildman, MD, a dermatologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. "It may translate to an SPF of only 2 to 4," which is next to nothing. Dr. Wattenberg adds that even if you don't burn, maintaining a base tan means you have chronic sun damage—the kind that causes age spots and wrinkles.

Myth #3: You can't burn on a cloudy day.
It might take a little longer before you burn, but yes, it happens all the time, says Dr. Wattenberg. "Clouds do not filter ultraviolet light, so the damaging rays pass right through," explains Melissa Peck Piliang, MD, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

Myth #4: Skin cancer isn't as serious as other cancers.
It depends on the type of skin cancer. Melanoma is the number-one skin cancer diagnosed in people in their late 20s and 30s. "If it's not caught early, you can die from it," says Dr. Wattenberg. Squamous cell carcinoma can also be deadly, since it has a high rate of metastasizing (spreading throughout the body). And while it's true that basal cell carcinoma isn't usually life-threatening, treating it can be highly disfiguring. "If you get it on your face you can have huge scars," says Dr. Wattenberg.

It's actually more dangerous. "Indoor tanning lamps emit ultraviolet radiation at levels far higher than those of the sun," says Dr. Wildman, noting that UV light is a known carcinogen. Some scary stats: Being exposed to a tanning bed in your youth increases your melanoma risk by 75 percent. People who use tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Myth #6: Dark-skinned people don't get skin cancer.
Skin cancer does not discriminate. Yes, it's true that fair-skinned folks are more apt to burn and therefore have a higher risk of skin cancer, but it really can happen to anyone. In fact, it can be even more dangerous in dark-skinned people because it's harder to detect (so it's more likely to advance before you can catch it). "I recommend that everyone, regardless of skin color, apply a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily," says Dr. Piliang.

Myth #7: Waterproof sunblock doesn't need to be reapplied.
"Waterproof" or water-resistant sunblock should stay on a little longer than regular ones, but it's not 100 percent waterproof, says Dr. Wattenberg. That means you need to reapply after a dip in the water (toweling off removes some of the sunblock from your skin, too). You should also reapply if you've been out in the sun for more than a few hours.

SPF is important—most dermatologists say you should choose 30 or higher—but it's not the whole picture. You'll also want to choose one that has "broad-spectrum coverage," meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. (SPF just refers to UVB blockage, but both types of ultraviolet rays can damage your skin.) "And remember to check the expiration date on the bottle," advises Dr. Wattenberg.

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