Is there a safe way to tan?

[The_Ghost]

Not if you have a parent that had skin cancer.

I sorry hun, I didn't know!

Then you make sure you stay white please!!!!!

 

[b fold the truth]

But is there still a danger even if I don't burn?

You can always choose to dress like Michael Jackson to help the risks...but who wants to be like that anyway?

You aren't going to develop cancer in a week, month, or a year. Skin cancer is developed over MANY YEARS OF BURNING.

B True

 

[DDRMAN]

Ok, I am NO expert on the subject.....But, I have looked into it. As I understand it, tanning is GOOD for you......But, and again I say BUT......it is best if done in short periods every day....in natural sunlight..with a small sunscreen....and afterwards use a VERY good moisturizer.....Now, I am assuming that since you are so very worried about your health you are willing to do other things.....Well, I hope you have plenty of time on your hands. Because it looks like it will be a slow process. But, it should be safe and should work. I've read that the worst thing to do is try to tan too quickly....Just take your anti-oxidants and get a good tanning lotion and moisturizer....And go fishing or bike riding every day...It may not be what you want, but you should get a tan. DDRMAN

 

[Raina]

Anyone who says there's a healthy way to get a tan from UV exposure is full of it. A tan is your body's unhappy reaction to such exposure. I used to be a tanning junkie up until the past couple of months. Now I just can't justify damaging my skin for vanity. Yeah for spray on or self tanner.

 

[Puddles]

You aren't going to develop cancer in a week, month, or a year. Skin cancer is developed over MANY YEARS OF BURNING.

B True

No, it does not take many years of burning to develop skin cancer.

Especially if you have light skin, light eyes, or a family history your chances are much greater to develop cancer.

I tanned in a bed for less than 2 yrs., not too much, never burnt in the tanning beds, I have fair skin and blue eyes, no family history, and I'm 37. Last year I developed a mole that had to be removed because if left alone it would have become cancer. The biopsy showed it had changing cells so a complete removal was done, a deep excision leaving about a one inch scar. I can only attribute this to the tanning bed since it was in an area that never got natural sun. My husband and I both noticed the mole within 24 hours of eachother, that's what made us suspicious of it.

Tanning, either naturally or artificially, is damaging to the skin. If you want safe color, go to the spray tanning booth or use self tanning creams.

 

[b fold the truth]

No, it does not take many years of burning to develop skin cancer.

Especially if you have light skin, light eyes, or a family history your chances are much greater to develop cancer.

I tanned in a bed for less than 2 yrs., not too much, never burnt in the tanning beds, I have fair skin and blue eyes, no family history, and I'm 37. Last year I developed a mole that had to be removed because if left alone it would have become cancer. The biopsy showed it had changing cells so a complete removal was done, a deep excision leaving about a one inch scar. I can only attribute this to the tanning bed since it was in an area that never got natural sun. My husband and I both noticed the mole within 24 hours of eachother, that's what made us suspicious of it.

Tanning, either naturally or artificially, is damaging to the skin. If you want safe color, go to the spray tanning booth or use self tanning creams.

And it was determined that the mole came from the tanning bed?

B True

 

[jd_uk]

And it was determined that the mole came from the tanning bed?

B True

Umm she has a pretty good point. 2 years of tanning and a cancerous mole in a place not exposed to sunlight only the sunbed, that's fairly conclusive y'know.

I know you worked with tanning beds but that doesn't make you an expert in dermatology.

 

[Puddles]

Exactly. There is no way to tell for sure, but since it wasn't exposed to natural sun then I'm pretty sure it was from the tanning bed, especially since I have no family history of skin cancer. Also, my dermatologist said that if I wanted to keep coming back for more surgeries then I should continue to use the tanning beds. He says they are not safe.

 

[b fold the truth]

Umm she has a pretty good point. 2 years of tanning and a cancerous mole in a place not exposed to sunlight only the sunbed, that's fairly conclusive y'know.

I know you worked with tanning beds but that doesn't make you an expert in dermatology.

I'm far from an expert in anything, especially dermatology. Just asked a simple question.

I am 26 (near 27) and have had a decent tan since I started going to the tanning bed at about the age of 13. I've gone off and on and I'm always outside in the sun getting a tan. I tan fairly easily and I do not burn easily, never have.

For myself, I have always used moisturizers on my skin (head to toe) at least 2x a day. I always use the tanning bed in moderation as well. The longest I've gone in a tanning bed in the past 5 years is 10 minutes in a 20 minute bed. A tan is developed over time...at least a safe(r) one is.

I don't know a lot about Ms. Puddles but I think that one saying that they got a cancerous mole directly from the tanning bed may be a little not entirely conclusive. (sorry, can't think of a way to put it how I want to).

Also, I don't believe that getting sun in a certain area will mean that one will develop cancer in that area...it can pop up in an area that did not receive the sun exposure...or vice versa.

Saying that going to the tanning bed is going to cause you cancer (especially with moderation and short-term use) is like saying that taking anadrol will give you liver cancer. You know what...it "might" in a few cases...but the chances are slim. I know lots of people who live in the sun (or work in the sun) who have never developed skin cancer of any kind. I also know people who have never set foot in a tanning bed...who did get skin cancer.

B True

 

[b fold the truth]

Exactly. There is no way to tell for sure, but since it wasn't exposed to natural sun then I'm pretty sure it was from the tanning bed, especially since I have no family history of skin cancer. Also, my dermatologist said that if I wanted to keep coming back for more surgeries then I should continue to use the tanning beds. He says they are not safe.

Once you have a history...I would NOT go back either. It may be similar to a lung cancer survivor who smokes still.

Seriously...meant you no disrespect. I'm sure that this subject hits "close to home" and I mean no harm.

I see the point that you are making, and I hope that you see mine as well.

B True