It was recently announced that youth under the age of 18 will be unable to use commercial tanning beds in the province of BC as of Fall 2012. The ban has been put in place as an effort to reduce the future risk of developing skin cancer – the most common form of cancer in Canada. Studies suggest the chances of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, increases by 75% for individuals who use indoor tanning beds before the age of 35.
Other risks of indoor tanning include:
- Sunburn
- Premature skin aging and wrinkling due to the destruction of collagen and connective
- Tissue by UVA rays.
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Sun spots and uneven pigmentation
- Photokeratitis, a painful eye condition that may develop when using tanning bed without goggles.
For those who still admire the look of tanned skin, we highly suggest using self-tanning
products as a safer alternative. And as always, the best way to prevent skin cancer and
premature aging is through the daily use of a well-formulated sunblock of SPF 30 or
higher. The best formulations are those that utilize zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as
their active ingredients. These offer the best protection against both UVA and UVB rays,
while being non-irritating to the skin. There are many high quality sunblocks available
that offer superb protection, while being cosmetically elegant and easy to wear under
makeup. Some of our favorite products include:
Tizo3 Protection (SPF 40) – this product is tinted and dries to a soft matte finish. It will
even out the complexion, while providing full sun protection.
Colorescience Sunforgettable (SPF 30) – this mineral sunscreen is a powder formulation that will help control oil. It is sheer, can be reapplied throughout the day over makeup, and comes in clear, tinted, or shimmer varieties.
Obagi Rosaclear (SPF 30) – this product is designed for individuals with rosacea-prone skin. It is lightly-tinted, and contains light-reflecting particles to help diffuse the look of skin redness.
All of the above sunscreens are available at Physician Skincare Centre or Pender Medi
Spa.
