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Myths
and Facts |
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MYTH
"I've heard that indoor tanning is more harmful
than tanning outdoors because the UV light exposure is more intense."
TRUTH
People tanning indoors are exposed to a scientifically calibrated amount of UV light. When used according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's exposure guidelines (posted on each machine), tanning beds are designed to maximize tanning and minimize burning. Conversely, tanning outdoors is an unregulated environment. There are many factors that have to be considered when you tan outdoors: geography, time of day, weather conditions, the seasons, and the ozone layer. Remember the best way to safeguard yourself from sun damage is to wear appropriate levels of SPF sunscreens outdoors - even if you already have a tan. You should also know that, even with sunscreen protection, UV exposure can still lead to skin cancer and premature aging, even if you don't burn.
MYTH
"My friend was tanning every day in a sun bed at a salon. After about a week she started to notice a strange burnt smell, but she wasn't sunburned. She went to a doctor, and he told her that the tanning bed was beginning to bake her internal organs, creating the smell."
TRUTH
The UV light from a sun bed is similar to UV light from the sun, and cannot penetrate deeper than the skin to harm internal organs. The odor your friend noticed is probably what's commonly known as the "after tan" odor, a common occurrence, which is caused by harmless bacteria. Have your friend try a lotion with
bioecolia, such as Polarity™, a Step 1 lotion, or Helix™, a Step 2 lotion.
MYTH
"I know someone who caught AIDS (or herpes) from a tanning bed."
FACT
The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that this is physically impossible. The AIDS virus, as well as other serious viral diseases, does not live outside the body. This fear may come from the fact than many people lay nude in sun beds during their tanning session (in order to eliminate tan lines). However, even if there is profuse sweating, the AIDS virus, or other venereal diseases, cannot be passed to the next user. Additionally, tanning salons are required by law to disinfect the acrylic liner in the tanning bed between uses. |
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