Ultraviolet
rays (UV) are energy from the sun. Energy from the sun sustains all life
on earth - it is important for our human, physical and emotional well-being.
However, some forms of sun energy can be harmful to life. In Canada, UV rays
are strong enough to cause premature aging of the skin, sunburn and skin cancer.
There are three kinds of UV rays - UVB and UVA rays cause sunburns and skin
cancer. (The third kind, UV-C rays, never reach the earth's surface because
they are filtered out by the atmosphere.)
The UV rays coming from the lights used in artificial equipment, like tanning
beds and sun lamps, are no different than those from the sun. The only source
of UV other than the sun that can cause skin cancer is artificial tanning equipment.
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Skin cancer can be prevented
The Canadian Cancer Society forecasts that 76,000
Canadians will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. Skin cancer
is the most common kind of cancer and is also the most preventable - 90%
of skin cancer can be prevented by reducing your exposure to UV rays.
A tan is a sign of damage
When you have a tan or sunburn, your skin is telling
you that it has been damaged from over-exposure to UV rays. Damaged skin
caused by over-exposure to UV rays can increase your risk of getting skin
cancer.
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Teens and tanning - why it matters
Damage to the skin from over-exposure to UV rays when we're young can increase
our risk of developing skin cancer as adults. For many people, a significant
part of their lifetime exposure to UV has already happened by age 18.
Most skin cancers start in the areas that receive the most UV exposure - the
head, face, neck, hands and arms. If you are fair-skinned your risk is increased,
but even people with darker skin are not protected from skin damage. Fair-skinned
people are at higher risk of UV damage because they produce less melanin. Melanin
(a pigment that gives your skin, eyes and hair its colour) protects your skin
from UV rays. Darker skin may have more natural protection than lighter skin,
but it still needs protection from UV exposure.
Many teens, however, think it's cool to have a tan. Indeed, many of the young
men and women that teenagers look to as role models, are tanned. A tanned look
is viewed as normal, healthy and something to strive for.
While some teenagers may understand the risk of exposing their skin to UV rays
and are making an effort to protect themselves from the sun while outdoors,
teens as a group are one of the biggest users of tanning parlours in Canada.
Contrary to what we hear, a base tan, even from tanning beds or sun lamps, does
not protect any of us from further sun damage.
Why? Like many people, teenagers believe that artificial tanning is safe.
Artificial tanning is not safe!
It's a myth that using artificial tanning equipment is a safe way to tan. There
is no safe tan.
Artificial tanning equipment gives off just as much UV as the sun does. In
fact, according to Health
Canada, the lights can give off five times more UVA than the sun does. Even
the claim that the lights of artificial tanning equipment can protect you against
some forms of cancer by increasing your vitamin D levels can be debunked: it's
UVB
rays that help us to produce vitamin D, not UVA. Most Canadians meet their
daily requirement of vitamin D through diet.
The World
Health Organization is so concerned that teenagers are using artificial
tanning equipment, it has recommended that no person under 18 should use artificial
sources for tanning.
What to tell your teen
UV rays cause damage that accumulates and can increase the risk of developing
skin cancer. When we're young we have still have time to protect our skin for
the future. It's pretty much impossible to avoid UV rays completely, but there
are things we can do to make sure that we're not exposed anymore than we have
to be.
- Talk to your teens and remind them that their skin is for life!
- Tell them to keep
protecting themselves from the sun:
- Cover up with sunscreen
- Stay out of the sun in peak hours, and
- Find shade.
- Debunk the myth that artificial tanning is safe, and
- Help them understand how to reduce their risk of skin cancer: avoid tanning
of any kind!
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This article was prepared by the 
