Updated Saturday, March 2, 2024-01:52
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Artificial tanning
devices ,
so-called
tanning lamps or beds,
emit UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation to activate the production of melanin and make the skin tan.
They are rays like those generated by the sun or worse, since the intensity emitted from tanning beds is much higher than that of solar radiation.
This makes them much more harmful than the sun's rays and increases the risk of skin cancer.
The member of Dermopharmacy of the
Official College of Pharmacists of Zaragoza,
Virigina Barrau
, can say it louder, but not clearer.
This is the main message that the 500 pharmacies in the province will transmit, immersed in a health education campaign promoted by the school in collaboration with the
Spanish Association Against Cancer
and the
Melanoma Spain Association
under the title
You decide, #Noterayes.
Patxi García
, manager in Aragon of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, emphasizes that "it is essential to work so that society knows that these tanning elements are carcinogenic, so the risk of developing skin cancer is very high and "should be avoided as much as possible."
To know more
Health.
What we should keep in mind this summer to protect our skin
Editor: ROCÍO R. GARCÍA-ABADILLO Madrid
What we should keep in mind this summer to protect our skin
Dermatology.
Melasma, an unsightly spot caused by the sun that should not be confused with lentigo
Editor: ROCÍO R. GARCÍA-ABADILLO Madrid
Melasma, an unsightly spot caused by the sun that should not be confused with lentigo
And this is not only said by Barrau and García, but also by the
World Health Organization (WHO)
, which classifies tanning beds in Group 1 as "carcinogenic to humans", the highest position, as they increase the incidence of skin cancer and reduce the age of its first appearance.
"It even equates them with the carcinogenic power of tobacco," adds the vocalist.
In this action, it will also be explained that, although there are
sunbeds
that are used
for the treatment of certain pathologies of the skin
and other organs, "they must always have the prescription and supervision of a doctor."
AT THE FOOT OF THE COUNTER
In statements to this medium, Barrau affirms that, sometimes, at the counter they see people with
skin irritation and itching
caused by the use of tanning booths, but the problem, in his opinion, is that in these devices "the UVB that they radiate is small compared to the UVB of the sun and the UVB is what burns. If you see that you are burning, you do not continue going out in the sun. On the other hand,
if you go into these chambers ,
a priori
you do not come out very red and that is why you get back in
and you don't see how your skin is getting injured."
To this we must add, the expert continues, that "in the cabins what irradiates the most is UVA, which produces mutations in cellular DNA, photoaging of the skin and activation of old melanin."
And she continues: "On the other hand, these chambers fail to activate vitamin D, which is beneficial from the sun, and which is very important for bones."
What to do, then, with these patients who have already passed through these booths?
To this question, Barrau responds that the first thing is to get an idea that many people have out of their heads: "
Tanning booths do not prepare the skin for sun exposure.
What they are doing is damaging their skin and their health."
Likewise, he says that we must insist that it
is useless to use a sunscreen when one enters these tanning booths
: "It is like smoking with a filter. I would not smoke, neither with a filter nor without it. In fact, in Australia and in "It is prohibited in Brazil to do business with these cabins (another thing is at the individual level)."
Therefore, the best advice that can be given in the pharmacy is for people to "enjoy the sun in moderation and photoprotection, enjoy outdoor activities, friends...".
And now is the time to do it, since remember that "weddings, baptisms and communions are coming and people like to look dark, because it is fashionable."
Barrau even comments that you can give an
alternative and healthy option
to that desire of wanting to see each other if you don't
like Julio Iglesias at least with a little color.
We are talking about
self-tanning
, "there are very good ones in the pharmacy," he says.
And the thing is, they have evolved a lot and are better than before.
The ones now "spread well; they are uniform; they serve to unify the tone of people with darker, sallow skin and for those with whiter skin; they no longer smell bad, because before they smelled rusty; they are resistant to several washes, and others have a quick effect, that is, you can apply them and after half an hour the skin color has already gone up a tone. There are many options."
And what to do when there is already an injury?
"In case of irritation, soothing creams
with active ingredients can be recommended
to combat itching and skin discomfort."