"I
decided I did not want to risk my health
anymore for the sake of beauty... I found
out that if I used Safe Tan correctly, it
cost me less than $6.00 for a full body
tan! Which was about half price than a wholesale
tan in a booth!
...What
I most love about SAFE TAN is that the colour
is never orangy, even is strong sunshine,
and nobody can tell that it is a fake tan.
It is so easy to apply, even my husband
does a flawless job on my back.
...And
the best thing of all, using Safe Tan I
never have any more problems with the rash
and itchiness.
...To
date I have not found any better self tanning
product on the market." Boshena,
Former Spray Tanning Salon Owner, Byron
Bay, NSW Read
Boshena's full story...
Tanning,
in its most unglamourous form, is simply the
body's response to skin cell damage caused
by ultraviolet light. Through a chain
of cause-and-effect, exposure to UVA and
UVB radiation stimulates the production
of melanin, the skin's pigment, in a desperate
attempt to protect the skin from further damage.
Unfortunately, as each layer of skin is shed,
(every 2 to 3 days on average), newer cells
will revert to their usual level of melanin,
leaving the skin once again vulnerable to
ultraviolet light. The cycle repeats itself,
resulting in damaged skin that has lost
its elasticity (i.e. tough, leathery,
and prematurely wrinkled), 'liver spots',
and a range of skin cancer conditions
from basal cell to carcinoma, to melanoma.
The reality is alarming - one out of every
five Americans will develop skin cancer.
But to the usual tanner, the choice is simple....to
go through life looking pasty-white, or
to wear an enviable radiant brown coat of
skin.
For
a while, tanning beds, though expensive
and time-consuming, seemed like an attractive
alternative, and were touted as the healthy
alternative to sun tanning. Unfortunately
however, serious questions have now been
raised as to the health risks associated
with this method.
There
are two types of ultraviolet rays that burn
the skin - UVA and UVB. Of the two, UVB
is the more harmful. Tanning beds claim
to screen ultraviolet light. However this
claim only applies to UVA.
The Skin Cancer Foundation states that more
than 23 minutes per year in a tanning bed
does irrepairable harm. The radiation
from tanning beds is 5 times the intensity
of the noontime sun at the equator.
One of the common side-effects of 'bed tanning'
is the development of spider veins: as the
blood in your veins actually boils, it damages
vascular structure, and results in unsightly
discolouration.
A serious study of the hazards of ultraviolet
light would lead you to be extremely cautious
regarding exposure to ultraviolet light.
Safe
Tan offers a safe alternative and /
or addition to your current tanning service
- and meets the following criteria:
"Principals
of Anatomy and Physiology" (3rd Edition,
Harper and Row Publishers):
Cited from Tortora and Anagnostakos (above):
"The
epidermis is composed of stratified squamous
epithelium in four or five cell layers
depending on its location in the body."
And further on:
"The
stratum corneum layer contains twenty five
to thirty rows of flat dead cells which...
are continually shed and replaced. The stratum
corneum serves as a barrier against light,
heat waves, bacterium and many chemicals.
The
colour of the skin, which ranges from pale
yellow to black, is determined by the amount
and location of melanin and kerotine in
these layers of skin cells.
This
pigment, melanin, is found throughout the
bottom three layers - the stratum basal,
the statum spinosum and the stratum granlous
- in caucasian skin. In black skin, melanin
is found throughout the preceding layers
as well as throughout the next two layers
- the stratum lucid and the stratum cornrum.
In orientals, the melanin mixes with another
protein, kerotine, to cause the yellowing
found in this skin type.
There
are no blood vessels located within the
epidermis."
Safe
Tan is only concerned with the stratum corneum,
which is the surface layer of the epidermis.
(Information
excerpt below from The Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and the Center for Devices & Radiological
Health (USA government domain) and can be
also be viewed at
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/tanning.html
)
"Public health experts and medical professionals
are continuing to warn people about the
dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from
the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps. Two
types of ultraviolet radiation are Ultraviolet
A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). UVB has
long been associated with sunburn while
UVA has been recognized as a deeper penetrating
radiation.
Although
it's been known for some time that too much
UV radiation can be harmful, new information
may now make these warnings even more important.
Some scientists have suggested recently that
there may be an association between UVA radiation
and malignant melanoma, the most serious type
of skin cancer."
"UV
radiation from the sun, tanning beds,
or from sun lamps may cause skin cancer.
While skin cancer has been associated
with sunburn, moderate tanning may also
produce the same effect. UV radiation
can also have a damaging effect on the
immune system and cause premature aging
of the skin, giving it a wrinkled, leathery
appearance."
"People
sometimes associate a suntan with good
health and vitality. In fact, just a small
amount of sunlight is needed for the body
to manufacture vitamin D. It doesn't take
much sunlight to make all the vitamin
D you can use certainly
far less than it takes to get a suntan!"
"Yes.
The number of skin cancer cases has been
rising over the years, and experts say
that this is due to increasing exposure
to UV radiation from the sun, tanning
beds, and sun lamps. More than 1 million
new skin cancer cases are likely to be
diagnosed in the U.S. this year."
But
aren't the types of skin cancer caused by
the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps easily
curable? (Information
excerpt from the The
FDA & CDRH (USA government domain
)
"Not
necessarily. Malignant melanoma, now with
a suspected link to UVA exposure, is often
fatal, if not detected early. The number
of cases of melanoma is rising in the
U.S., with an estimated 38,300 cases and
7,300 deaths anticipated this year."
"Skin
aging and cancer are delayed effects that
don't usually show up for many years after
the exposure. Unfortunately, since the
damage is not immediately visible, young
people are often unaware of the dangers
of tanning. Physicians and scientists
are especially concerned that cases of
skin cancer will continue to increase
as people who are now in their teens and
twenties reach middle age."
But
why is it that some people can tan for many
years and still not show damage? (Information
excerpt from the The
FDA & CDRH (USA government domain
)
"People
who choose to tan are greatly increasing
their risk of developing skin cancer.
This is especially true if tanning occurs
over a period of years, because damage
to the skin accumulates. Unlike skin cancer,
premature aging of the skin will occur
in everyone who is repeatedly exposed
to the sun over a long time, although
the damage may be less apparent and take
longer to show up in people with darker
skin."
Since
most sun lamps and tanning beds emit UVA
radiation, doesn't that make them safer
than natural sunlight? (Information
excerpt from the The
FDA & CDRH (USA government domain
)
"No.
It's true that most sun lamps emit mainly
UVA radiation, and that these so called
"tanning rays" are less likely to cause
a sunburn than UVB radiation from sunlight.
But, contrary to the claims of some tanning
parlors, that doesn't make them safe.
UVA rays have a suspected link to malignant
melanoma, and, like UVB rays, they also
may be linked to immune system damage."
What's
the government's (USA) position on using
sun lamp products found in tanning parlors
and in homes? (Information
excerpt from the The
FDA & CDRH (USA government domain
)
"The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) encourage people to avoid use of
tanning beds and sun lamps."
"The
American Medical Association (AMA) and
the AAD have warned people for many years
about the dangers of tanning. In fact,
AMA and AAD have urged action that would
ban the sale and use of tanning equipment
for nonmedical purposes. Doctors and
public health officials have recommended
the following steps to minimize the sun's
damage to the skin and eyes:
Plan
your outdoor activities to avoid the
sun's strongest rays. As a general
rule, avoid the sun between 10 a.m.
and 4 p.m.
Wear
protective covering such as broadbrimmed
hats, long pants and longsleeved
shirts to reduce exposure.
Wear
sunglasses that provide 100% UV ray
protection.
Always
wear a broadspectrum sunscreen with
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 or
more, which will block both UVA and
UVB when outdoors and reapply it according
to manufacturer's directions.
If you believe that some damage has already
been done:
Seek
immediate medical attention if you
receive skin or eye damage from the
sun or if you experience an allergic
reaction to the sun.
See
your dermatologist or personal physician
if you develop an unusual mole, a
scaly patch or a sore that doesn't
heal.
Always
wear a broadspectrum sunscreenwith
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 or
more, which will block both UVA and
UVB when outdoors and reapply it according
to manufacturer's directions."
"Tan
indoors with absolutely no harmful side
effects."
"No
burning, no drying, and no sun damage."
"Unlike
the sun, indoor tanning will not cause
skin cancer or skin aging."
"Beware of
claims like these. Ads that claim indoor tanning
devices are a safe alternative to outdoor
tanning may be false.
Tanning indoors
damages your skin. That's because indoor tanning
devices emit ultraviolet rays. Tanning occurs
when the skin produces additional pigment
(coloring) to protect itself against burn
from ultraviolet rays. Overexposure to these
rays can cause eye injury, premature wrinkling
of the skin, and light-induced skin rashes,
and can increase your chances of developing
skin cancer."
"The
most popular device used in tanning salons
is a clamshell-like tanning bed. The customer
lies down on a Plexiglas surface as lights
from above and below reach the body.
Many older tanning devices used light
sources that emitted shortwave ultraviolet
rays (UVB) that actually caused burning.
Aware of the harmful effects of UVB radiation,
salon owners began using tanning beds
that emit mostly longwave (UVA) light
sources. Some salons claim this is safe.
While UVA rays are less likely to cause
burning than UVB rays, they are suspected
to have links to malignant melanoma and
immune system damage."
"Here
are some claims commonly made about indoor
tanning - and the facts.
"You
can achieve a deep year-round tan with
gentle, comfortable, and safe UVA light."
Ultraviolet light is divided into two wavelength
bands. Shortwave ultraviolet rays called
UVB can burn the outer layer of skin. Longwave
ultraviolet rays called UVA penetrate more
deeply and can weaken the skin's inner connective
tissue.
Long-term exposure to the sun and to artificial
sources of ultraviolet light contributes
to the risk of developing skin cancer. Two
types of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous
cell, are treatable if detected early. Melanoma,
another type of skin cancer, can be fatal.
"No
harsh glare, so no goggles or eye shades
are necessary."
Studies show that too much exposure to ultraviolet
rays, including UVA rays, can damage the
retina. Overexposure can burn the cornea,
and repeated exposure over many years can
change the structure of the lens so that
it begins to cloud, forming a cataract.
Left untreated, cataracts can cause blindness.
The Food and Drug Administration requires
tanning salons to direct all customers to
wear protective eye goggles. Closing your
eyes, wearing ordinary sunglasses, and using
cotton wads do not protect the cornea from
the intensity of UV radiation in tanning
devices.
Long-term exposure to natural sunlight also
can result in eye damage, but in the sun,
people generally are more aware that their
eyelids are burning. Under indoor UV lights,
exposed skin remains cool to the touch.
In addition, the intensity of lights used
in tanning devices is much greater - and
potentially more damaging to the eyes -
than the intensity of UV rays in natural
sunlight.
"Tan
year round without the harmful side effects
often associated with natural sunlight."
Exposure to tanning salon rays increases
the damage caused by sunlight. This occurs
because ultraviolet light actually thins
the skin, making it less able to heal.
Unprotected exposure to utltraviolet rays
also results in premature skin aging. A
tan is damaged skin that is more likely
to wrinkle and sag than skin that hasn't
been tanned. Over time, you may notice certain
undesirable changes in the way your skin
looks and heals. According to some skin
specialists, skin that has a dry, wrinkled,
leathery appearance early in middle age
is a result of UV exposure that occurred
in youth.
"No
danger in exposure or burning."
Whether you tan indoors or out, studies
show the combination of ultraviolet rays
and some medicines, birth control pills,
cosmetics, and soaps may accelerate skin
burns or produce painful adverse skin reactions,
such as rashes. In addition, tanning devices
may induce common light-sensitive skin ailments
like cold sores.
If
you tan with a device, ask whether the manufacturer
or the salon staff recommend exposure limits
for your skin type. Set a timer on the tanning
device that automatically shuts off the
lights or somehow signals that you've reached
your exposure time. Remember that exposure
time affects burning and that your age at
the time of exposure is important relative
to burning. Studies suggest that children
and adolescents are harmed more by equivalent
amounts of UVB rays than adults. The earlier
you start tanning, the earlier skin injury
may occur.
2.
Use goggles to protect your eyes.
Ask whether safety goggles are provided
and if their use is mandatory. Make sure
the goggles fit snugly. Check to see that
the salon sterilizes the goggles after each
use to prevent the spread of eye infections.
3.
Consider your medical history.
If you are undergoing treatment for lupus
or diabetes or are susceptible to cold sores,
be aware that these conditions can be aggravated
through exposure to ultraviolet radiation
from tanning devices, sunlamps, or natural
sunlight. In addition, your skin may be
more sensitive to artificial light or sunlight
if you use certain medications - for example,
antihistamines, tranquilizers or birth control
pills. Your tanning salon may keep a file
with information on your medical history,
medications, and treatments. Make sure you
update it as necessary."
"Chances
are you spend some time in natural sunlight.
You still could benefit from using sunscreens
with sun protection factor (SPF) numbers of
15 or more. The SPF number gives you some
idea of how long you can stay in the sun without
burning. For example, if you normally burn
in 10 minutes without sunscreen, you should
be protected from burn for 150 minutes using
SPF 15. Swimming and perspiration reduce the
actual SPF value for many sunscreens, so be
sure to reapply even if the product is water-resistant.
While all sunscreens provide some level
of protection against UVB rays, no product
screens out all UVA rays. Some may advertise
UVA protection, but there's no system
yet for rating UVA protection. Even when
you use a sunscreen with a high SPF number,
there's no way to know how much UVA protection
you're getting."
"The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) share responsibilities
in the regulation of sunlamps and tanning
devices. The FDA enforces regulations that
deal with labels on the devices; the FTC
investigates false, misleading, and deceptive
advertising claims about the devices. When
these agencies determine that device labels
don't comply with the regulations or that
advertisements are not truthful, they may
take corrective action. The FDA also can
remove products from the marketplace."
Sunscreens,
Tanning Products and Sun Safety
(TOP
OF PAGE)
(Information
excerpt below from The U.S. Dept of Health
& Human Services, U.S. Food & Drug Administration
& Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition
(USA government domains) and can be also be
viewed at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-220.html
)
"Skin
damage from sunlight builds up with continued
exposure, whether sunburn occurs or not. In
addition to skin cancer and sunburn, effects
related to premature aging can include wrinkling,
and in time, an almost leathery appearance
of the skin. Research also suggests that excessive
exposure to UV radiation may interfere with
the body's immune system.
Sunburn is associated with the shorter ultraviolet
wavelengths, known as ultraviolet B (UVB).
The longer wavelengths, known as ultraviolet
A (UVA), however, can penetrate the skin and
damage connective tissue at deeper levels,
even if the skin's surface feels cool. It
is important to limit exposure to both UVA
and UVB.
The following information on sunscreens, tanning
products, and sun safety is intended to help
consumers make informed decisions about sun
protection and tanning."
"Sunscreens
play an important role as one part of a
total program to reduce the harmful effects
of the sun, that first includes limiting
sun exposure and wearing protective clothing.
FDA regulates sunscreens as over-the-counter
(OTC) drugs (See Title 21 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 352, Sunscreen
Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human
Use). Cosmetic products that are marketed
with sun-protection claims are regulated
as both drugs and cosmetics.
To help consumers select products that best
suit their needs, sunscreens are labeled
with SPF numbers. SPF stands for "Sun Protection
Factor." The higher the SPF number, the
more sunburn protection the product provides.
Experts recommend using sunscreens with
an SPF number of 15 or higher that also
provide protection from UVA rays. Remember,
sunscreen use alone will not prevent all
of the possible harmful effects of the sun.
The effectiveness of a sunscreen is reduced
if it is not applied in adequate amounts
or it is washed off, rubbed off, sweated
off, or otherwise removed. For maximum effectiveness,
apply a sunscreen liberally before going
outside and reapply it frequently on all
sun-exposed skin. Unless otherwise stated
on the label, 30 minutes before going outside
and at least every two hours thereafter
is a general rule of thumb. About one ounce
of sunscreen should be used per application
on the average adult."
"FDA
is concerned about the health hazards
associated with suntanning products that
do not contain sunscreen ingredients.
Such suntanning products must bear the
following warning statement:
"Warning-This
product does not contain a sunscreen and
does not protect against sunburn. Repeated
exposure of unprotected skin while tanning
may increase the risk of skin aging, skin
cancer, and other harmful effects to the
skin even if you do not burn." (Title
21 of the Code of Federal Regulations,
Section 740.19)"
"The
monograph for OTC sunscreen drug products
(21 CFR 352), published on May 21, 1999,
addresses the testing and labeling of sunscreen
products for the prevention of sunburn (that
is, UVB radiation protection). The effective
date for manufacturers to comply with the
requirements of the monograph was subsequently
delayed until December 31, 2002.
FDA intends to publish a proposal to amend
the sunscreen monograph in order to develop
a comprehensive monograph that addresses
formulation, labeling, and testing requirements
for both UVB and UVA radiation protection.
Following that publication, there will be
a public comment period and then FDA will
prepare an amended final monograph for publication
in a future issue of the Federal Register.
Because FDA had not yet published the proposed
amendment to the monograph, it was not possible
for manufacturers of OTC sunscreen drug
products to relabel and test their products
by the December 21, 2002 effective date.
Therefore, on December 31, 2001, FDA delayed
the effective date of the sunscreen monograph
until further notice is provided in the
proposed amendment. FDA anticipates that
this new effective date will not occur before
January 1, 2005."
"Lotions
and pills marketed as "tanning accelerators"
often contain tyrosine (an amino acid),
often in combination with other substances.
Tanning accelerators may be marketed with
the claim that they enhance tanning by stimulating
and increasing melanin formation. FDA has
concluded that these "tanning accelerators"
are actually unapproved drugs, and the agency
has issued warning letters to several manufacturers
