People may think that tanning beds are a safe alternative to sun exposure during the winter months, but they are not. The harmful UV radiation is still present, and significantly increases risk of developing skin cancer, especially melanoma.
Dr. Piliang said even just one trip to the tanning bed increases your risk for melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer. And, the more you go, the higher the risk. She said if you do want to stay tan for winter, consider a self-tanner instead.
Many people use tanning beds to achieve a bronzed look, especially during the winter months or before a vacation. However, tanning beds are not a safe way to get a tan. They expose your skin to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause serious health problems, such as skin cancer, eye damage, and prema.
“In the right winter weather conditions, you can sustain sun damage just as easily as during the summer.” UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn, are the strongest in the summer. However, UVB rays can burn and damage your skin year-round, especially at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces such as snow or ice.
``Is tanning a good way to get vitamin D? NO. The truth is that UVB radiation leads to the production of vitamin D. Tanning is mostly caused by UVA rays. This means that tanning delivers almost no vitamin D benefit while increasing the risk of skin cancer.
According to Dr. Peter Katz, board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology, “there is no such thing as a healthy or safe tan. Tanned skin is a result of damage to the skin cells, your skin producing pigment in response to UV damage in an attempt to protect itself.
These fluorescent lamps range anywhere from 100-watt bulbs to 140-watt bulbs. Because of their power – and the fact that they simulate UVA rays vs. UVB rays – they can actually penetrate the skin on a deeper level than the sun. This is why ten minutes in a tanning bed equates to about two hours of direct sun exposure.
Sunlight is good for our health and wellbeing even during winter. It's important that we harness its benefits. Sunlight is vital for many reasons – sleep, concentration, mood and wellbeing.
Colder temperatures can act as a tonic or astringent reducing clogged pores and keeping them less visible. Cold weather also slows down and prevents the secretion of sebum, keeping shine at bay and waterproofing your skin and hair. Open pores and less oil means reduced acne as well.
UV radiation is greatest in summer as the sun is high in the sky and its rays pass through less atmosphere before reaching the earth's surface. In winter, the sun is lower in the sky and its rays have a longer course through the atmosphere; more UV radiation is absorbed, and UV levels are lower.
Like UV irradiation, which generates vitamin D(3) in the skin, the hormonally active metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), boosts innate immunity against viruses and bacteria. Epidemiologic studies have found high vitamin D levels to be associated with lower risk of infections of the upper respiratory tract (colds).
Enhanced Serotonin Levels
Tanning helps stimulate the production of serotonin, promoting a more positive and stable mental state. This highlights the importance of sunlight as a natural and accessible way to support mental health and emotional well-being.
It doesn't. The bulbs used in tanning beds emit mostly UVA light; however, your body needs UVB light to make vitamin D. To get vitamin D safely, board-certified dermatologists recommend that healthy adults get vitamin D from their diet.
UV radiation is generally highest between 10 AM and 3 PM, during the summer, on a cloudless day. Some countries broadcast a UV index for each day on the weather report. However, this does not mean that a scorching hot sunny day is the best day to get a tan.
If you are fully dressed in winter gear covering your hands and face, you will not get the same level of UV and vitamin D absorption as someone spending time outside in a warmer climate. If you spend ample time inside, especially without windows, Ren recommends taking an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement.
Not only does the use of sunbeds during winter months increase Vitamin D levels and combat Seasonal Affective Disorder. Exposure to UV can aid in a healthy sleep cycle. Sunbeds help the body regulate the hormones serotonin and melatonin, which aid in healthy sleep cycles.
Maine, the overall best state to live in for skin health, unsurprisingly tops our list as the best state to live in for limited sunlight and UV exposure. With a UV score of just 2 out of 50, Maine has a UV level of 6, regarded as moderate-high by the EPA.
Cold air can cause your airways to narrow. This can increase the amount of mucus you produce and make it harder to breathe.
"Winter face is when our skin becomes dull and dry due to low humidity, causing it to turn dehydrated. This winter, use these tips to keep your skin safe: 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙡
Despite the chill of winter, it's surprising how easily you can still get a tan. Take Ladakh which is more likely to get tan more than goa. The high altitudes of Ladakh actually pose a greater risk due to the intensified UV radiation. This occurs because the snow reflects UV rays, essentially doubling the exposure.
As the days become longer and hotter in the march toward summer, many of us feel healthier, livelier. It's not just a perception: Humans are actually less ill during the summer than they are during the winter.
Our hair happens to be in a very vulnerable situation during winters. The cold breeze takes away the moisture of the strands and makes it prone to breakage and damage. Above all this exposure to the sun make things worse. The harmful UV rays damage hair follicles, hair strands and sometimes the scalp.
Indoor tanning speeds up skin aging
Indoor tanning is known to cause wrinkles, brown spots and thick leathery skin. Indoor tanning ages your skin 3 times faster than sunlight: indoor tanning can emit up to 15 times more UV radiation than sunlight.
Papaya: Like carrots, orange fruits and vegetables, such as papaya, help to enhance your tan naturally thanks to its high beta-carotene levels. Melon: This refreshing fruit, rich in antioxidants and beta-carotenes will help you to keep your golden skin tone.
While some believe tanning in a bed is safer, tanning beds emit 12 times more UVA radiation than the sun. UVA rays are primarily linked to premature aging of the skin, causing wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. Using tanning beds before age 35 also increases your risk of developing malignant melanoma by 75%.