Photobiological implications of melanin photoprotection after UVB-induced tanning of human skin but not UVA-induced tanning. Coelho SG. et al. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2015 Mar;28(2):210-6. doi: 10.1111/pcmr.12331. Epub 2015 Jan 5.
“Use tanning beds to get a tan before the holidays” – this is often promoted to consumers.
Tanning beds is a method of tanning the skin. However there is 1 major problem coming from this uncontrolled Ultraviolet radiation (UV) on the skin:
-an increased risk of Skin Cancer, the worse of it being Malignant Melanoma (MM) which is linked to UVA exposure. (Photoaging is another issue)
In this US Government study
-Human skin was exposed with UVA and UVB during 2 weeks without causing redness (suberythemal)
-UV radiation dosage (A and/or B) of 1.5 times the dose needed to cause redness of the skin* was applied on the skin and then DNA damage was measured (=Sunprotection Factor (SPF) 1.5)
-Results showed that Melanin distribution and synthesis were affected and that even a UV exposure of 1.5 times MED was too much (caused erythema and DNA damage) !
There is also a false sense of security that using tanning beds before a holiday will protect the skin during tanning…this is something which is often promoted to consumers.
Results show that melanin is redistributed and although the skin can change in appearance, the SPF is less than 1.5. As a reminder SPF50 is now used in most sunscreens.
Comment
SPF1.5 or less is obtained with a skin which is “prepared” by Tanning Beds
–it gives a false sense of security and can encourage some to stay longer in the sun.
-without applying a sunscreen, an SPF of less than 1.5 is the only “protection” when an SPF of 30 or more would be needed.
*=Minimal Erythemal Dose (MED)
Article selection: Prof Dr Jean-Hilaire Saurat – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland
+41 22 738 18 48