anyone does indoor tanning?

[kaleida]

Www.cancer.gov

Now I'm off to "tan" I kid I kid

unfortunately the US government has based most of their recommendations on the flawed study I was talking about, the one that didn't take skin type into account.

But if there is a peer-reviewed study in a scientific journal that takes skin type into account and shows an increased risk of skin cancer for the type of tanning that I do, I would be interested to see it. I haven't been able to find a study like that so far, but maybe it's out there.

the type of tanning I do is year-round, 1-3x / week, low enough minutes that I never ever burn, with a mix of UVA and UVB, outdoors when I can, but indoors when I can't because of work schedule or seasons.

I personally don't trust the 100% UVA booths, I think the 100% UVA booths are unnatural, UVB triggers most skin types to produce some natural UV protection (melanin) and it's also needed to produce vitamin D which is my main reason for using the booths.

I'm not trying to get dark either, I just like what it does for my immune system and moods and energy level

[penny0527]

So by saying the study you referred to as "flawed" you actually mean completely useless it sounds.

[kaleida]

So by saying the study you referred to as "flawed" you actually mean completely useless it sounds.

Not completely useless - all of those recommendations to stay out of the sun and not use tanning beds are very useful for skin type I. Skin type I is what skews the results to show a much higher risk of skin cancer from tanning bed use - they are not genetically capable of producing melanin, so their skin can't protect itself at all...they should not get deliberate UV exposure like that.

When skin type I was removed from the results, for all of the other skin types, the risk of skin cancer was pretty much identical between people who use tanning beds/booths and people who don't.

[penny0527]

Not completely useless - all of those recommendations to stay out of the sun and not use tanning beds are very useful for skin type I. Skin type I is what skews the results to show a much higher risk of skin cancer from tanning bed use - they are not genetically capable of producing melanin, so their skin can't protect itself at all...they should not get deliberate UV exposure like that.

When skin type I was removed from the results, for all of the other skin types, the risk of skin cancer was pretty much identical between people who use tanning beds/booths and people who don't.

There are also articles stating that people with darker complexion have the same risk of cancer as those with lighter. That seems to totally contradict what you have said. There's going to be studies, opinions and outcomes for all sides of the issue.

[kaleida]

There are also articles stating that people with darker complexion have the same risk of cancer as those with lighter. That seems to totally contradict what you have said. There's going to be studies, opinions and outcomes for all sides of the issue.

I have read that darker skin types are more at risk for many other types of cancers (lower risk for skin cancer but higher risk for other types of cancer) - and more at risk for vitamin D deficiency because it takes them more time in the sun to produce the same amount of vitamin D compared to a light-skinned person - and I've also read that getting enough vitamin D lowers the risk for many types of cancer - so this makes sense to me, it might not be a contradiction

[kaleida]

Speaking of vitamin D ... I just found these at Walgreen's last week and they taste really good
If anyone wants more vitamin D, for the bone health / immune system / cancer benefits, but doesn't want to get it from UV exposure, maybe these would be a good backup plan I have been eating them on days when I don't go to the tanning booth and can't get outside during hours when vitamin D production is possible.

[penny0527]

You said not skin cancer. I said skin cancer. We are going in circles. Like I said a study can be found to support pretty much anything. It's a choice to believe what you want.

Also I personally do not believe that cosmetic companies push sunscreen because they want to make money. Sunscreen is useful.

[kaleida]

You said not skin cancer. I said skin cancer. We are going in circles. Like I said a study can be found to support pretty much anything. It's a choice to believe what you want.

Also I personally do not believe that cosmetic companies push sunscreen because they want to make money. Sunscreen is useful.

You read something that said dark skin types have the same risk of skin cancer? hmmm sounds suspicious :/
I'd have to see sources to believe it...not that I don't believe you personally but sometimes info can get mixed up if they were quoting someone who quoted someone who quoted someone who quoted someone etc...

But I think you and I agree on the most important stuff which is: a little bit of sun is a good thing
I wish I lived in the Bahamas so I could do that year-round... I'd be happyyyyyyyy. SAD sucks!

[hidingwithmusic]

Ive been doing some outdoor tanning and I feel a difference mentally. Its almost as if I was more depressed before... maybe I have SAD? Each day I feel more and more different. Well anyway, I just wanted to drop an update until I actually use a tanning bed for the first time.

[ashleygorecki2]

Long time you make a post.. can you please share your experience after trying indoor tanning...??

[mgftp]

Did it all through college. Wear eye protection and use the stand up units as they are faster and you don;t have to lay in the goo left by others and get diseases.

I'll give the obligatory it isn't good for you statement. I actually worked in the tanning industry and do think risk of moderate UV exposure is overblown, but at the same time most overdue it. When I was younger pulling 10% more puss at bars and parties was easily worth 10 years off my life though. You do you.

[DustinTheHuss]

I did when I was in my 20s but I have a huge family history of skin cancer so it was dumb looking back. I just learned to enjoy my fairness since then.

[paulinkansas]

I'm naturally tan.