High liver enzyme levels can be caused by various factors, including excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications, or liver diseases. The most common cause of slightly elevated liver enzymes is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a global issue. Common causes include nonprescription pain medicines, such as acetaminophen and Tylenol, and certain prescription medicines. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a liver enzyme that can indicate liver damage, and reducing ALT levels can help the liver recover.
There are many potential causes of elevated liver enzymes, from minor infections to serious liver disease or cancer. Healthcare providers can help individuals understand these risks. Over-the-counter pain relievers can cause high liver enzyme counts, with some types stressing the liver at the recommended dose while others can stress it at nearly any dose.
High levels of liver enzymes may indicate a medical condition, but they may also be temporary. Studies have shown that hydroquinone can be toxic and cause eye and liver problems, allergic reactions, and rashes. Additionally, using spray tanning products can lead to inhalation or exposure to mucosal surfaces, such as eyes, nose, and mouth.
Tanning accelerators, found in both pill and lotion form, can stimulate skin and liver problems. Nasal tanning spray, also known as “the Barbie drug”, comes with risks such as sun sensitivity, kidney damage, and life-threatening effects. It is crucial for individuals to consult their healthcare provider to understand the potential risks associated with elevated liver enzyme levels and take necessary steps to manage them.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Are Spray Tans Safe? | Spray tanning is devoid of any potential dangers. Inhalation risks, skin sensitivities, and a paucity of medical research all indicate that one should proceed with caution. | health.clevelandclinic.org |
| Tanning bed risks; omega-3s and liver disease | The majority of individuals were aware of the potential risks associated with the use of tanning beds, including an increased likelihood of developing melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. | www.oregonlive.com |
| Dermatologist Reveals Which Self-Tanning Products Are … | In the event that one elects to undergo a spray tan, there exists a possibility that the product may be inhaled or that it may come into contact with the mucosal surfaces of the eyes, nose, and mouth. | www.newsweek.com |
📹 6 Weird Signs That You Have Liver Damage || HealthQuest
In this informative video, we explore six peculiar signs and symptoms that could indicate liver damage. Contrary to common belief, …
Is it OK to get a spray tan every week?
But with these regular appointments, many people wonder “how often should I spray tan?” The answer depends, but for most people, having a spray tan appointment every 9-12 days is the perfect cadence to maintain your glow and get the most out of each tan.
In addition to knowing how often you should spray tan, you should also know how to take care of your tan in between appointments. While there might not be such a thing as too much spray tanning, if you go too often without properly taking care of your skin, you’ll have a build-up of spray tan solution and your old tan might prevent your new tan from looking as good.
Let’s look at how to take care of your tan so you know that your skin is ready for your next appointment.
What is an alarming liver enzyme?
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are two liver enzymes measured in a blood test to check the health of your liver. High AST and ALT levels are a general sign of a liver problem.
Based on which enzyme is elevated—or if both are elevated—healthcare providers can make an educated guess as to the underlying cause of the liver problem and order additional tests. This may help diagnose diseases ranging from hepatitis and cirrhosis to liver cancer and liver failure.
When ALT and AST Levels Are Tested. ALT and AST are part of a comprehensive panel of tests known as a liver function test (LFT). An LFT may be ordered:
- If you have symptoms of liver disease, including jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue
- To monitor the progression of a liver disease
- To determine when drug treatments should be started
- To check your response to treatment
Can fake tan affect your liver?
It also can cause liver damage, impaired vision and hives. Talk to your health care provider if you’re considering using a sunless tanning product. If you do use it at home, you should carefully follow the directions on the label and avoid getting it in your mouth, nose or eyes.
Is self-tanning Spray bad for you?
While some concerns have been raised in the past over toxicity from highly concentrated DHA, the use of DHA in self-tan has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At-home tanning products generally contain DHA at levels between 3-5% – levels deemed to be non-toxic and non-carcinogenic1.
Can high ALT be nothing?
It’s important to know that having a high ALT test result doesn’t necessarily mean you have a medical condition. Less than 5% of people with elevated ALT levels have severe liver conditions. Other factors can affect your ALT levels. Your provider will take into consideration several factors, including other blood test results and your medical history, when analyzing your results.
What does it mean if my alanine transaminase (ALT) is low?. Having a lower than normal ALT result is uncommon and usually isn’t a cause for concern. However, a lower than normal ALT level could indicate a vitamin B6 deficiency or chronic kidney disease.
If your ALT result is lower than what’s considered normal, your healthcare provider will likely have you retake the test or undergo further testing to make sure nothing is causing your low level.
What are the risks of spray tanning?
Spray Tanning Risks DHA is not approved for inhalation (spray tans are a mist) and DHA is not approved for application to mucous membranes, such as the lips, nose, and tissues around the eyes. After application, the skin is especially susceptible to UV radiation and more likely to sunburn.
Soaking up the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays comes with a few key benefits, such as its ability to stimulate vitamin D production and boost mood. But every esthetician knows excess exposure to UVA and UVB rays can be harmful. According to the American Skin Cancer Foundation, one way to protect against skin damage and still get the golden glow your clients want is with spray tanning. Here we look at whether sunless tanning is a better option.
Sunless Tanning History. Sunless tanning has been around for decades and continues to see a rise in the wellness industry. The first sunless tanning product was Glory of the Sun, an all-over body makeup that made its way to the market in 1929. 1.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that the active ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which we know today to safely darken the outer layers of the epidermis, was discovered. The darkening of the skin in response to DHA is the same reaction that causes an apple to turn brown after being sliced. In 1998 spray tans debuted, and this ushered in a new era of bronzed celebrities and the media declaring that tanning was in style.
What is DHA in spray tans?
What is DHA? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most effective sunless tanning products contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient. DHA is a colorless chemical (it is derived from glycerin) that interacts with the amino acids in dead skin cells to produce a brown color change.
Medical Author: Barbara K. Hecht, Ph. D. Medical Editor: Frederick Hecht, M. D.
Tans continue to be popular, especially with people who naturally have light colored skin. A rich, bronze-colored tan can not only be cosmeticallyflattering, it can evoke a sun-filled vacation spent at the beach or, in winter, on the ski slopes. But given the fact that exposure to the tanning rays of thesun is accompanied by skin damage and an increased risk of skin cancer, thesedays many people are opting for “sunless” tans.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most effective sunlesstanning products contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient. DHA isa colorless chemical (it is derived from glycerin ) that interacts with the aminoacids in dead skin cells to produce a brown color change. Since these dead skincells are constantly being shed, the color change produced by DHA usually lastsabout five to seven days.
What are the side effects of DHA in self tanner?
Documented side effects of spray tans containing DHA include rashes, cough, dizziness, and fainting. Fragrances and preservatives can be added to self-tanners during spray application, which may contain parabens that have been linked to rosacea and allergic contact dermatitis (Garone et al., 2015).
Does fake tan cause health problems?
Why Avoid Formaldehyde in Your Self Tanner. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that is used in many beauty products for its antimicrobial properties. It’s found in a lot of self-tanners and can be absorbed into the body and cause: eye irritation, headaches, nausea, and breathing problems.
Although most self tanner companies claim they don’t use formaldehyde in their products anymore, you’ll still find it listed as an ingredient for other beneficial purposes such as preserving the product longer or preventing microbial growth.
Safety standards for Formaldehyde in Fake Tanning Products. Europe lists formaldehyde as a Category 3 carcinogen and cannot be used in products that come into direct contact with skin. It’s also been linked to childhood asthma and other health issues. In the United States, however, the FDA limits its use to 0. 2% of formula weight in leave-on products and 0. 1% in rinse-off products. To us, that’s still too much of a bad ingredient. Better to just stay away from Formaldehyde entirely while you fake tan!
What would cause liver enzymes to be very high?
Common causes of elevated liver enzymes include: Nonprescription pain medicines, particularly acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Certain prescription medicines, including statins, which are used to control cholesterol. Drinking alcohol.
What is DHA in spray tan?
What is DHA? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most effective sunless tanning products contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient. DHA is a colorless chemical (it is derived from glycerin) that interacts with the amino acids in dead skin cells to produce a brown color change.
Medical Author: Barbara K. Hecht, Ph. D. Medical Editor: Frederick Hecht, M. D.
Tans continue to be popular, especially with people who naturally have light colored skin. A rich, bronze-colored tan can not only be cosmeticallyflattering, it can evoke a sun-filled vacation spent at the beach or, in winter, on the ski slopes. But given the fact that exposure to the tanning rays of thesun is accompanied by skin damage and an increased risk of skin cancer, thesedays many people are opting for “sunless” tans.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most effective sunlesstanning products contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient. DHA isa colorless chemical (it is derived from glycerin ) that interacts with the aminoacids in dead skin cells to produce a brown color change. Since these dead skincells are constantly being shed, the color change produced by DHA usually lastsabout five to seven days.
📹 Are Tanning Beds Safe? | How to Tan Safely | with Dr. Sandra Lee
So… summer is coming!! Many of you have been asking questions about the sun and the effects that it has on your skin. I thought I …
Also the key to not looking old is drinking lots of water, do not eat sugar sugar ages you worse than anything! Be cognizant of the medications you are putting in your body because they affect your liver and that ages you. It is important to regenerate your skin with some nice coconut oil and drink lots of water and a healthy diet.
I used to be a sun & tanning bed worshipper, but then I started seeing the affect of tanning beds on my mom and her sisters (they’re all tan-aholics). My mom looks 50-60 and she’s only 42. One of my aunts is riddled with melanoma. Another aunt is permanently a strange shade of orange. And another aunt has such severe wrinkles in her four head that she regularly gets Botox (she’s only 30- something). I’ve stayed far away from tanning since then and use SPF everyday. It’s really not worth the risk. I don’t ever bother with sunless tanner, I love my pale skin 🙂 all skin shades are beautiful!
I’m only 20 but have had 3 moles removed. I used to live in Hawaii, and have gotten severely sunburned more times I can count. My mom is from your generation, and she said that her and her friends would put actual cooking oil on themselves to tan. She has had every type of skin cancer. My dad as well has had some skin cancer, so now I’m extra preventative! I’m glad that there is more research now for young people to see the harmful effects of tanning.
This is so annoying. What we all need to understand is that we live in different parts of the world. Obviously in Australia with the strong dangerous sun they have during summer, sun beds are illegal. They get way more sun then what’s good for them. But for us living in Norway, we don’t get sunlight for like 5 months straight. It’s dark outside when you wake up and it’s dark outside when you get of work. Even in the summer we hardly have nice weather. So don’t tell me that I will get cancer or wrinkles from tanning in a sunbed once a week! We also have very strict laws for tanningbeds in Norway. I think we need to speak more about us who live in dark and cold climates. Without sun we get sick, depressed and we have no energy. Moderation people! Being in the sun is healthy and necessary!
My tanning helps me so much! For one I feel better about myself when I’m tan. It gets rid of my acne and stretch marks. Helps my excema. I also have multiple back problems and arthritis and it helps my pain. Everything In life is dangerous. Skin cancer is so easily caught early and is one of the most curable kinds of cancer. I’m dark skin european and I always do everything I can to protect my skin, keep up with regular skin check ups and always wear my eyewear. I think in my case it is worth the risks. But yes it can be dangerous. But don’t act like it’s the most dangerous thing ever and that people aren’t aware of the dangers. I’ve been through school and got my tanning license and cosmetology and know all about skin cancers. You can lower your risks with the right knowledge and care.
My Mom owned a tanning salon for 10 years. Tanning beds provide the same rays as the sun. You ALWAYS need to wear tanning lotion when using a tanning bed or laying out on the beach / pool. Moderation is key, we use to start people off at 5 mins in the bed the first day, then 2nd day 10 mins and so on, you can’t just jump in the bed for 20 mins, you will come out burnt, that will cause skin cancer. Smart tanning is key, this is not the same as smoking cigarettes, yer The world health organization thinks it is.
I enjoy a sunbed,I do have Rheumatoid arthritis & Fibromyalgia & it does help with my conditions.Ive used sunbeds since I was 15 years old & im currently 48.Thus far I have had NO skin issues,but I do have olive easy to tan skin.Sunbeds in the last 5 years also have infra red collagen lamps,so for me im going to continue enjoying life in the sun / sunbed.I actually do believe over exposure & or burning is obviously bad & have NEVER experienced burnt skin.The quantum of proof remains,if your skin type doesnt fair well in the sun,you willl have issues.I mean the countries of which have higher sun temp relatively do not have higher numbers of skin cancer anymore than anywhere else sooo….& again if your fair & burning yourself in pursuit of a tan,you know your skin will suffer.Be skin aware & accept your own skin type….
I only tan in the sun from as early as April to as late as September. I do most of my tanning on clear days between May and August. I slowly work my way up to a good base tan and then go all out, using tanning lotions (accelerators, intensifiers, etc…) to help with my tan but I never use tanning beds (I simply wait till spring) and I never use self tanners (lotions that give you a fake tan). I also avoid bronzers in tanning lotions (which give you a partially fake tan) as well as tingle (which can cause you to overheat, especially in hot weather). I like an all natural suntan and will not settle for anything less. In the old days, it was natural for people to be outdoors (though, for many Caucasian people living in the new world, at different latitudes than today). I’m of southern European descent and, with some precautions, can handle the sun really well (with extra precautions needed at tropical latitudes). THE BOTTOM LINE IS TO USE COMMON SENSE DEPENDING ON YOUR SKIN TYPE, THE LATITUDE YOU’RE ON, THE WEATHER ON ANY GIVEN DAY, AND HOW MUCH TIME YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE SUN AS WELL AS THE TIME OF DAY. It all boils down to common sense.
Not everyone can absorb supplemental vitamin D especially if they have gut issues such as Crohn’s disease. Cosmetic tanning usually tanning beds that are level 2 and up use higher UVA which can be damaging especially if used daily, that’s the type of tanning that is bad and can lead to skin cancer. However, level 1 tanning beds used 2 to 7 minutes, twice a week depending on your skin tone help your body in making vitamin D even if you have gut issues. NOTE: Wait atleast 48 to 72 hours before using a tanning bed for the second session of the week and use a tanning bed lotion for the skin for example “Maui Babe” tanning bed lotion it’s cheaper than the lotions at the salon and more natural/plant based with no orange tints if you fear looking like a pumpkin. Vitamin D is an important type of hormone, that supports the immune system, regulates insulin, allows your body to absorb calcium and magnesium among, other functions. Not allowing your body to access Vitamin D may actually cause breast, colon and prostate cancer or heart disease including depression. People of color especially should be getting some form of sun/UVB exposure as their natural base skin color takes a bit longer to make Vitamin D. Tanning beds are safe and can be used therapeutically for Vitamin D as long are they are not used for cosmetic purposes or used frequently for prolonged times. Tan safe and get your vitamin D my friends 👍❤
I truly don’t understand why moderate levels of sunlight/uv exposure would be harmful to our body. I am aware we can get sunburn from over sunbathing in a short space of time before the skin has recovered, but I think that’s as far as it goes. We are not nocturnal animals, we’re daytime beings and evolved living outdoors. Whenever I’ve spent time sunbathing and built a lovely tan, I feel the healthiest physically and mentally, as well as recieve compliments from everyone telling me how healthy I look. All this fear mongering about the sun and UV light seems very contradicting, when in reality the majority of people love summer, the warmth of the sun on their skin and getting a tan. It’s proven our body needs sufficient sunlight to maintain healthy bones and that the further away you live from the equator the higher amount of people with bone diseases there are due to such low vitamin D production. In some of the countries with very little sunlight and warmth, suicide rates are much higher due to ‘Seasonal Affected Disorder’. This just reiterates how important a moderate amount of sunlight is so vital for humans and it goes for alot of other lifeforms too. Biodiversity is far greater and more optimal in the tropics for example where there is an abundance of sunlight. Yet this fear mongering is getting people to cover their skin with sunscreen which often contain carcinogenic ingredients and also stop the body creating any vitamin D because the light is not penetrating the skin.
Thank you so much for this. I work in the makeup industry and always have clients talking about having more and more minutes in the sun beds. I have only qualified in a short course in skin cancer awareness but have been yearning to know more to help warn people about the dangers of sun exposure. This was so helpful!!
I was addicted to tanning beds for about 3 years in the late 80s, and it was really difficult to stop. I loved the nap, the comfortable warmth, and at the time it was the only safe sleep I got. It took great mental effort to stop and it’s been about 25 years since I tanned. I’ve begun to see some sunspots on my arms, but so far nothing else damaging to my skin. I got really good skin from my mom. I’ve adjusted to not looking tan, and being a fair looking woman in the South.
My grandfather was in the Navy and worked on a ship many decades ago. Back then, there was no shelter from the sun on naval ships, and he stood in the sun for hours every work day. Years later, he brought my mother with him to the dermatologist several times a year. He needed to have moles and dark spots checked constantly. He had to have some of them removed, and some turned out to be early stage melanoma. If normal sun exposure can kill you, why would you want to concentrate it’s effect?
I really enjoyed this article, I am 56 and still have pretty good skin, I did tan some when I was younger, a couple of years on and off in tanning beds and in the sun. I hope I didn’t do to much damage and I wish these tanning bed companies would just go out of business. I understand how the younger people feel, I felt that way also and also thought if you had a tan that was your protection from the sun. I don’t even care about sunless tanners now, I am happy in my own skin and skin color. Thanks for putting this out there, it is so important!!!
I live in Australia, in the State of Victoria. Australia has the highest skin cancer rate in the world. A number of years ago, a 25yo young woman died from Melanoma. She had used tanning beds frequently and developed skin cancers and eventually melanoma. In the remaining few months of her life she campaigned from her Hospital bed, for tanning beds to be banned. It didn’t happen while she was alive, but after her death and much debate. Our State Government BANNED Tanning Beds. It is now against the law and there are heavy fines for those who advertise anything to do with these dangerous machines. Much to the delight of Oncologists. So there you have it. It is possible.
Im not going to get into all of this, purely because I appreciate what it is that you are saying and what the comment section is saying and It’s all matter of opinion. I’m just gonna say my auntie has used tanning beds in the past and goes on loads of holidays and she has an all year long tan, she’s now in her late 60s and sure she has some wrinkles, but she doesn’t look her age she looks a lot younger and she doesn’t use suncream. Now it might be luck that she’s doesn’t have that many wrinkles or skin cancer… who knows really! However I will say this, If sunscreen really did prevent skin cancer, we would have seen a rapid decline in rates. Instead, incidences of skin cancer have been rising. Don’t know if people knew this but the U.K. had one of the biggest rates of skin cancer and we barely get any sun. But again I want to clarify I’m not saying your wrong and I’m right I’m just saying my opinion.
I was doing some reading and found the following information: So for every 100,000 people in the US, only 22 develop a melanoma in their lives. Use of solariums before age 35 increases that risk by 59%. 22 x 1.59 = 34.98. So, even with solarium use, your chance of developing a melanoma are 35 in 100,000. I hope that makes sense? I’m not saying that it’s good, but I would like a more nuanced discussion than using solarium = you’re getting cancer.
I tanned 6 minute sessions every week for a few years, felt great, looked healthy. Stopped during Covid, went back once a week again, 6 minutes. My eyes started hurting at the edges, kind of burning dry feeling afterwards. I would wait two weeks or perhaps three between sessions but the problem continued to the point where I began to worry about permanent damage. I stopped for good, of course, and my eyes are still dry around the edges and tear ducts though it’s been at least 6 mo. I am getting older in my early 60’s now.
As someone who lives in the Pacific Northwest, near the coast in Washington state, I literally see about 90 sunny days a year, at best. The other 9 and half months are grey, cloudy, sunless rainy days. My vitamin d levels literally drop to nothing. Blood tests show it. I can take 10000 mg of prescription grade vitamin d supplements or I can lay in a tanning bed a few times a week for 10 minutes and feel 100 times better. Life is short, so I say everything in moderation is realistic. yes it can be shorter if you get cancer, I realize that, but I don’t smoke, barely drink, tanning is the one thing I budge on and at the end of the day it makes me feel so much better. To each their own I guess. The key is to not judge others for their choices.
I am 48 and in my 20s and 30s I would go through spurts when I would use tanning beds several times a week; although I always protected my face with SPF 50. At 40 I discovered Tan Towels.. which work great whether you use all the time or just for occasions. Round 2 .. I found out I had vitamin D deficiency about 3 months ago and took prescribed supplements, drank milk with extra vitamin D etc.. and now ….back to the tanning bed, because I’m still deficient.. I live in FL and while I don’t avoid the sun I do wear hats, cotton long sleeve shirts when I’m going to be out in the sun. Anyway seems like reverse logic to me, but back to the tanning bed I go …
Idk… I think genetics and diet plays a bigger role than tanning or causes the effects of tanning to be worse. I’ve always laid in the sun and in the tanningbed in winter, I actually own a tanningbed. I’m 33 and I look fine. I’m not trying to brag but people often think I’m 10 years younger than what I am. But I’ve also never drank or smoke. I’ve avoided processed foods as much as possible. I’ve always had a skin care routine since I was 15 years old. I have a friend the same age and she’s always gotten spray tans. But she’s drank and partied more than me, her diet isn’t great and her sleep schedule of always off because of her work. Although she has avoided the sun as much as possible, her forehead and under eyes are full of wrinkles. So to me, the sun or tanning doesn’t seem to be the problem.
Dr. Lee I was a teen in the 1960’s. During that time ethnic tensions ran high. Desegregation was in its infancy. My Sociology teacher posited a theory that has always stayed with me. If Caucasian people felt that people of darker skin were less than they were, why did they try so hard to look like them? We talked for 3 class sessions on this. Most of the Caucasian kids said a ‘tan was healthy looking’ much like tobacco and cigarettes made you look more sophisticated. Same principle different myths. If you really want to be brown you can have melatonin injections so your skin turns dark. Why these myths still endure in 21st century with all we now know I will never understand. I say, viva la diffrance! What happened to the beauty of a pink white hand holding a dark skin hand? Why do people who are perfectly healthy put their lives in jeopardy? U have sustained 3 very bad burns over the course of my life. Not on purpose but by falling asleep on cloudy cast over day. when I thought the sun could not burn me. Once just because one tiny part of my shoulder was exposed to sun near the equator. In a half hour I sustained a second degree burn. Two things happen when you tan, besides turning a light or dark brown color. First your skin starts making cells to counteract this assault to the body. Two your skin ages more rapidly. Those beautiful 20 somethings with the great tans and soft skin are now in the 60’s and 70;s. Get up close. Their skin looks like crocodile skin. They keep on tanning to cover this wrinkled skin.
Sun spots are caused by a lack of antioxidants in the skin relative to the amount of light exposure you are receiving. In the absence of adequate antioxidants during exposure the body produces more melanin, and over time that is where the spots come in. There are topicals you can take to reduce them over time, and as long as you get adequate antioxidants (like cacao which is gram for gram the most astronomical source of them on the planet) you can drastically slow down the formation. Also, SUGAR (and alcohol due to it’s liquid carbohydrate neighbor causing insulin spikes) is another source. Combine high sugar eating/drinking (IE High circulating insulin levels) WITH sunlight over exposure and not enough antioxidant stores… and you just put skin spots on warp speed. Sugar and/or alcohol causes the liver to produce a substance caused aldehyde, and when that circulates in you it can cause tissue browning (aka age spots). There’s a reason aged people have more spots and it isn’t always because of sunlight.
I have a severe D deficiency and major bone pain. Tanning is the only thing that effectively raised my D and diminishes my bone pain. I don’t know if its the heat that helps, but every time I stop tanning for a period of time, the pain in my bones is unbearable. I’m actually looking to buy a bed for my home.
I’m curious about what you think about people who live in more northern climates that don’t get as much sun? I live in Ontario Canada and we did not get as much sun this summer as normal. I just feel the need to get some rays. Do Tanning Beds offer any benefits like Vitamin D? Is it ok for us Canadians to use them Sparingly in the winter months when there’s much less sunshine? – What about the Effects of SAD? Seasonal Affective Disorder? Which a lot of Canadians have. If having a Tan helps my mental health, my mood and not to consume alcohol then that’s also a big win! – I think there’s a lot more to consider.
I’m researching home tanning beds that emit UVB in addition to UVA so that I can make Vitamin D. For years, I’ve tried all kinds of co-factors with my Vitamin D supplement so that I don’t get side effects but even the co-factors have side effects! I’m just sick of it and I’m sick of my glow-in-the-dark pale skin. And I’m sick of poor sleep. And I’m sick of feeling tired all the time. And I’m sick of feeling unmotivated. And I’m sick of having brain fog. I believe all of this is tied to avoiding the sun. I can tan but I have to start very slowly so I don’t burn. I don’t want to look over-baked, I just want enough exposure to increase my Vitamin D blood level to 60-80 ng/ml.
I’m a Cake white… If I don’t tan before Spring. Living here in the North. BURNING is far worse. Repeated Burning. Let me say that again. Repeated burning is not any better for your overall health and skin long term. Then building up a tan. So I don’t burn… trying being white as a wall. Like Whiter then White. It also makes me feel good, helps with depression in the winter. I’ll die happy. Thank you. Everything in Moderation and We’re all gonna die someday. Live life how your feel is right for you.
I drive to the beach or lake and lay out to tan and only do 30-40 mins on each side and I try to go before noon. I cover my face and neck with a towel and put sunscreen on my lower arms, chest, birthmarks, back of hands, and moles. I get a ton of in-grown hairs when I haven’t been exposed to the sun in a while so tanning helps
This is interesting, but I have a question. It appears as if your suggestion for getting safely was applying a sunless tanner or simply don’t tan. Is this case? Should absolutely no one be getting tan from the sun? Are we supposed to only be getting sunlight to get the necessary amount of vitamin D that our bodies need to survive and no more than that? If that’s the case, how much sunlight is that?
So…. heres the thing about tanning beds. The reason they are “Bad” is not the UV energy own its own, its simply the concentration and the way people use them. Let me ask you this, how long and often would you say people use a tanning bed? 20-30 minutes 2-3 times a week? I worked at a gym and this was the average. So why is this bad. Mathmatics is why! A 20 minute session in a bed is not equal to 20 minutes in full sun, not even on a UV11 risk day. That 20 minutes is actually equal to approximately 5 hours of direct UV exposure in full sun. But if that were true why aren’t I red as a lobster after a 20 min bed session? Because one crucial element is missing, Heat. See in a tanning bed its scantly warmer then the surrounding air. In the sun your skin is not only dealing with UV energy damage but also being blasted to hell with trying to metabolically produce both sweat and flush blood into your skin to draw heat away, and metabolize all the Vit-D your skins making as a byproduct of the UV exposure (hint its not as good a thing as we used to think). The result is that your skin burns through a huge quantity of nutrients, anti-oxidents, and collagen because of the overload of heat and UV. So then if the bed has no heat its better right? No… and yes. Because there’s no heat your skin can focus solely on the UV damage. But as I said its way, WAY more potent then the sun by a factor of 15 to 1 (and that’s if the bulbs are good quality, if not up to 30 to 1). So then what would be a sun equivalent safer time limit to tan that allows the skin to regenerate?
A tan absolutely protects from sun burns and wrinkles happen whether you tan or not. And it looks so much worse to be pale AND wrinkled. Anyway I’m white white…a step up from not being able to tan but almost the whitest of the white. I get a great tan (yeah the Irish freckles happen too but whatever ) and I can tell you…I tanned so well one summer in the tanning bed that I went to a water park smack dab in the midddle of July with no sunscreen and only burned just a teeny bit. Know why? I mean..I have that skin the sun loves to burn right away. Well…I was tanned. I build myself up when I tan…4 min then after a couple of times 5 min and so on. But regardless…wrinkles will come tan or not…trust me…as an adult it’s more recently I have tanned..I stay in a lot. And a base tan absolutely helps protect from a burn. And….you are mentally healthier if you get out in the sun. Tanning beds are for lazy people like me who don’t wanna lay in the damn sun for hours. Moderation is really the takeaway from what I’m saying…everything in moderation. It’ll be dangerous to breathe soon…oh wait ….
I’m a fair-skinned redhead in California who spent a lot of my life getting SEVERE burns whenever I spent any time outside. I started using tanning beds a couple of times a week to help with a sleep disorder and noticed that the burns came to a complete stop. I’m fortunate that my genes make me appear much younger than I am so…not really buying the whole “one thing causes issues for everyone no matter what”. People should be able to make the choices that work for them personally.
I mean I’m not condoning tanning but my grandfather who was born and raised in Italy he was so dark almost looked African American… and lived here in Florida for over 30 years worked out in the sun every day and lived till he was 94. I know tanning beds aren’t good but they good old vitamin D man.. I only hope to make it to half that age.
Yeah tanning beds… never will do that but I don’t see what’s so bad about just a little bit of strong sun like 10-15 minutes just for vitamin d.. not enough to burn/get color even with my pale skin.. Vitamin D can help reduce the risk of other cancers, helps bones and actually helps my mood so I’ll lay out in the sun, fuck it. I understand it’s not smart to be in the sun for long no sunscreen or obsessively try to get tan BUT it drives me crazy when people say all sun is bad for you and I’m gonna die no matter what anyways and skin cancer could be 1 in 30 problems i could have in my 60s/70s…
I live in North of Europe and we dont get a lot of daylight during winter. Lets say I go to a tanning bed twice a weak medium strength for about 15 mins during the darker days. Thats not the end of the world right?🤔 I cant imagine if you became very pale and tired looking, depressed etc. That this would be very healthy either?
I am 53 and now I wished I had not used the tanning bed 7 days a week for year and laid in the sun. I have had melanoma twice now with the last in 2017 removed have my knee area and lymph nodes in my left groin. Went through 17 months of chemo and that was terrible. I am alive but have major side effects from the chemo. I was stage 3 last time in 2017 from the time the spot appeared to one month later at my dermatologist appointment to have a biopsy was sent to a surgeon the next day and surgery 4 days later. I now talk to teens and young adults of how bad tanning beds and sun bathing are.
To everyone mentioning that self tanners have chemicals that negatively affect your skin… so does deodorant, makeup, & most hair products if they aren’t organic. Unless your using organic or natural products on an everyday basis, then the chemicals in sunless tanners are the same chemicals you would use in your everyday life anyway.
Full Moon tanning nobody talks about. I walked on a beautiful tropical beach during full moon and in the morning had a pleasant surprise of nice red tan that felt great. How good it is the reflected light of the Moon gives us I would like to find out more about. There are different skin types, some need sun exposure the other absolutely must avoid any sun exposure. Without sun my skin is sick & my pores plug up I don’t know why, but moderate sun exposure does something good for my skin especially on my back that looks, feels good & whole body feels good just I remember to hydrate.
I’m a dark skinned mixed chic with a very uneven skin tone. I notice that the tan I get over the summer evens out my skin tone. How much sun is safe to achieve this? Also, I have eczema which clears up when I expose myself to enough sunlight. Trying to find a balance between getting enough sun and maintaining healthy skin.
The problem is sugar, refined cards, eating too often, and grains. I changed to super low carb and now longer burn at all. We eat an epigeniticlly perverse diet and make assumptions based on it. Eat meat and low glycemic vegetables and see how you respond. Chronic disease is caused by sugars,refined carbs, grains and eating in short intervals, in my estimation.
Great article! I have been trying desperately to convince my girlfriend that she’s being really stupid by going to these tanning salons but she still won’t take my word for it. There’s nothing more annoying to the person suffering than being the guy who said I told you so when something bad happens but I really hope she sees sense soon and quits that crap.
30 years ago young lady wanted to look great at her friends weeding as bride’s maid, week before the event. she been going around tanning centers about 8 to 10 locations 3 times a day to make sure she had the best-looking tan at the weeding, well she never made it to wending and bride made it to her funeral. same week. may be the a DR, can explain way. and why they have policy not to be in tanning solan more than once a week just for 20 minutes each. and no more allowed.
Its not a black and white issue (ahem no pun intended at all), there are many different types of tanning beds with different UVA/UVB ratios and frequency and duration are all up to the consumer as well. I use a low intensity tanning bed for 7 minutes twice a week to not only bronze my skin but also reduce sebum production and increase my VITAMIN D LEVELS which you negate to mention in this article. I also use high quality retinoids and moisturizers on my skin and body and supplement all vitimins, especially C and A. Since I have started this regimen my skin looks much better and I feel much better as well. Because of our modern, indoor lifestyles I think that supplementing UV exposure with low intensity tanning beds is advisable as part of a healthy lifestyle.
I used sunbeds and i got my first skincancer at the age of 24.. Now it became chronic, every 3 months i have to remove new spots. My friend died from melanoma, my causin and my aunt. I wish i knew then what i know now! The best that could happen is tan going out of style and a pale skin getting trendy. Selftanner is not for all skins, eczema etc it is terrible! And some are allergic to the tanning ingrediënt.
the problem with sunless tanner and stuff like that is that it’s heavily influenced by gender norms. as a guy, no fucking way i can use sunless tanner. purposely tanning as a guy is already being viewed as feminine, but using sunless tanner is unachievable for many guys and the stigma attached to it is awful. i’ve gotten looks trying to get sunless tanner, and when partners find out about it they are weirded out. I just tan outdoors, i already deal w stigma for some things i do and the friends i have, the last thing i need is another highly stigmatized thing to pick up
Yesterday i tried a tanning bed for the first time… i dont think i like it, it left my skin smelling bad. And in the sun i tan really fast, in 15-20 minutes i can get really tan if im in the sun. But 15 minutes in the tanning bed didnt do much. I barely saw a tan line. Im gonna leave the job for the sun, and otherwise, i’m fine being the shade i am..
What can we do about vitamin D deficiency? I tend to have that a lot unless I do use a tanning bed. Even have used 50,000iu pills and didn’t help near as much as a tanning bed, but I have stopped tanning cause I have a spot on my nose I am worried about but do not know any dermatologist I can go see and afford to go see.
So I shaved my head for the first time today, and I noticed that I was extremely pale. The pale skin doesn’t look good with a bald head, and the summer is over. Sunbed here and there can’t hurt that much right? Everything seems bad these days. I just need to get my skin color darker so I don’t look like a proper skinhead.
Why did you not cover the medical use of tanning or getting natural sun for a short time for health reasons? I know people that have skin issues that the drs tell them go to a tanning bed 1-2 a week. Also the body was designed to use food and natural energy( sun) to produce and balance the body. No you shouldn’t go bake but off peak sunshine on the skin is needed.
This is kindergarten science. “Tanning beds bad”. I wish everything in life was that simple. You could also say carbs are bad, yes too many will make you fat, but consuming a moderate amount of high quality carbs will not. Using this logic everything is dangerous. Alcohol, cannabis, cheese, red meat. Nothing is 100% ‘good’ or 100% ‘bad’. Everything in life is a trade off. Don’t confuse people who bodybuild and do 15 minutes every other week to keep a base tan, and people who cook themselves regularly. Being overweight is dangerous, but that’s like 90% of Americans. Maybe we should all live our lives in glass bubbles and not do anything dangerous, like I dunno…stepping outside your front door. Clinical research has also shown that low to moderate tanning can actually increase your lifespan. Improved appearance, enhanced mood, and increased vitamin D levels have been attributed to tanning. This “Dr.” doesn’t seem to be able to distinguish between “excessive” tanning and “low frequency” tanning.
My problem with your article is that you didn’t actually reference any scientific study or research for or against using tanning beds. Just listing commonly used reasons isn’t good enough. Without understanding the science behind it you can’t pretend to educate anyone. I don’t care if you have your M.D.
Please do you do diligence to inform yourself and you patients about the benefits of smart tanning . We all need to be aware of all the information. No disrespect to you . I honestly just want people to understand that it can be very beneficial in there life . My awareness started when my daughter was born and she was extremely jaundiced . I had to get a light therapy machine to help her with her difficulty ( It was the same thing as a tanning bed ) Medically they still treat many illness’s with “light Therapy ” It is exactly the same thing as a tanning bed / stand up UV therapy. You never want to over do it or burn !! Moderation is the key and it is very beneficial to you health and well-being.
I see a lot of ignorant comments. I worked at a tanning salon for 2 years. Tanned for about 3 years.. not a long time. There is a reason why there are LAWS that state customers can only tan once a day. Now 10 years later I just had an excisional biopsy on my breast for an atypical mole – a mole that could possibly turn into a melanoma. I’m only 28. I will most likely have a scar on my breast. All of this because I tanned in tanning beds for only three years… learn from me as I was lucky. Stay out of the beds
I have no interest in tanning whatsoever. The problem is that I suffer from acute Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) to the point I am getting suicidal thoughts. Someone recommend that I try a tanning bed to mimic being in the sun. During the winter, every 10 days I go on a sunbed for 10 minutes and this does take the sting out of my Seasonal Affective Disorder. What I would like to know from Sandra Lee is if this will cause me problems later in life.
You are wrong is so many ways. Are you certified in tanning? Have you been trained? I would assume not with your first comment at 1:45 being indoors is where you can control the amount of sun exposure you are getting. You can go into a bed that has less of the burning ray which is UVB. At 2:27 you state a tan is not something that is protective. Incorrect, it helps build and protect your sink if you are out in the sun and will help build that melanin that you have in your sink. A sun tan is a natural sun screen. What about the so called “light boxes” that dermatologist use in their practices? These are more harmful and are used as treatments. They are not controlled. SMARTTAN Certificated
Could you please cite your claims? The research please? The first point you made is so completely false it is no concentrated/intense exposure ugh! First of all they put the dermatologists out of business, because many people’s skin woes are cured with exposure to UV light hence why Dermatologists like yourself sell UV light sessions to their patients!! Second of all they put the Dermatologists out of business.
Tanning, skin bleaching, why can’t people just love the skin they’re in! One of my coworkers (white woman, I’m white too), used to bake out in the sun all the time. Her skin is HORRIBLE. Just like a leather pair of shoes? Crinkly, dark spot blotchy! It’s shocking to look at her face. She looks like shes in her 90’s and she eas barely 50. My mother never went out in the sun. AND she is actually 94 and had great skin.
Everything in moderation my dear. Melanin in the skin is actually very healthy to the body. Producing it is not your body being under attack. Sunlight stimulated the body to create its own Vitamin D3 which actually stimulated the body’s metabolic processes in numerous beneficial ways. Your indoctrinated by the disease model instead of a wellness model which doesn’t demonize the facets of our body/life, but only serves to keep our lives in balance as opposed to demonizing that which would assist us to balance out our lives and systems. What about supporting our wellness instead of treating the disease that shows up after people being ignorant as to how to support that. If you look at a person as having a mind/body/spirit makeup instead of treating the body like a mechanic would treat a car, you will serve the people to have greater wellbeing that would not allow people to be coming down with disease which comes from dis-ease, in part. We need a paradigm shift about how the system looks at health and wellness within the whole being of humans. Yes, take cautions and be careful how much time you spend in the sun as conventional wisdom provides. They have different levels of light currently in the tanning beds. That which you can select something more to your skin type and tanning ability and frequent exposure. I wouldn’t just throw the whole choice out the window. Keeping your internal system alkali as best you can is one strategy that in not specific to skin but can produce overall health in the body as a whole that would prevent many conditions from reaching a stage of disease.
I’m gonna say what I know. People who get more sun are healthier than those who stay out of it.Laying out 15-20 minutes a day is actually healthy for you. It is the best way to absorb vitamin D. So yeah. You won’t get super dark and tan but you’ll get a healthy glow. But for sure tanning beds are yucky. And if you really want to look super tan use self tanner.
I’m super super white and sense I was in elementary my friends would call me a vampire/ghost/albino lol all the names you could think of. Which never really bothered me and I’d laugh and say it too but I tan just to look a little normal and to wear clothes without feeling self conscious. I know it’s bad for you but I say everything in moderation, I only tan rarely so I hope that’s just a little better.
Could you explain to me the difference in why tanning is bad but building muscle is good? You say that when tanning it is damaging your skin and the melanin rises to protect the skin. Likewise, when building muscle, you damage the muscles so that they heal and ultimately become bigger. Both of these cause damage to the body but one is good and the other is bad.
I can remember when they would let you stay in the taming beds for a long time,people who worked in these tanning bed shops would tame all the time and you watch the shop for her or him,…I loved tanning,the stand up one was such a great feeling,the beds were very uncomfortable on my back bones and on my stomach my hips would dig into the bed,this was when I was 115 pounds, lol and a teenager, under the age of 18 that was against the law tooooo, gosh we were Rebels ! That was my nick name,lol and I’m a female…look out if I got booze in my system I was a black out drinker but found AA, thank goodness 👍
In case this helps anyone, go to Walgreens and buy Bondi Sands Ultra Dark Self Tanning Mouse for $30. Use a tanning mitt to apply it, then go to sleep. In the morning, take a shower and pat dry. Enjoy your color as it darkens over the next day. Throw your sheets in the washing machine. And thank me later!
I love you and your articles! I could watch them all day. Skin care is SO important to me. I’m a huge makeup junkie/addict and makeup only looks as good as the skin underneath it. Your articles have inspired me to make makeup/skincare not just a hobby for me (as it is right now). I hope to get an estheticians license some day : ) and who knows- maybe I’ll become a dermatologist! I’m 26, but it’s never too late to start over, right?
Im 56 I tan during the summer outdoors Im fair skinned Blonde hair but i get pretty dark, and any little discoloration on my face like sun damage blends in with the tan, but when my tan fades in in winter I get pretty pale and the age marks arent bad but, if I use the sunless tanner the spots get darker .I use a tiny amount of makeup to cover the discolorations, .So thats the only thing I dont like about sunless tanners, you have to have flawless skin for it to look good but if you put it over redness age spots acne marks or something it can look woese it just darkens everything.Wish there was a llotion that didnt make the flaws darker but I dont see how.I tried using a Qtip with soap and water and dabbing it on any discoloration trying to remove the lotion but that didnt make my face anymore even, and its hard to find a coverup that matches the fake tan lotion and you look a little strange.If your a dude cause dudes dont wear makeup.A girl can just pack on the makeup
I have to say I love tanning beds! BUT I was thinking today (before I actually buy one) Do I really need to tan? I mean I see people in the dead of summer with little color and with a little makeup they look beautiful!! So I am experimenting on making my skin look healthy and clean; exfoliation, moisturization, diet. And I may use something like Jergens healthy glow….just experimenting…trying to simplify my life. Sound like a good idea to anyone else??
I had a friend who lost her life to melanoma due to laying in the tanning bed just one time. The first time they got it and she went into remission, just a couple of years later it was back and took her life. I am one of those that will speak my mind when it comes to melanoma and tanning beds.I also had a negative tanning experience with a tanning bed about 12 years ago. It was the first time that I had ever gone to a tanning salon to lay in a tanning bed. The only instructions that were told to me was to get out of the tanning bed when I started to feel hot. There was a fan hooked to the tanning bed, therefore I never felt hot. About 20 minutes later or so, I did get out of the tanning bed. Later that night, I ended up in the ER with 3rd degree burns. That was not any fun, my skin was red and red could be and much more painful than if I had been sunburned.
Even with aggressive exfoliation, sunless tanners are alway splotchy and when it fades it looks like you have vitiligo. And it’s way more expensive. Tanning lotions are a joke as well, how does one get their back?? It is also splotchy if you can’t exfoliate the first layers of your skin. I haven’t used tanning beds since the 90’s but wish there was a viable alternative.
Medical school has given me so much acne, but I noticed in the summer when I get sunlight & tan (and am not in my books all day) my acne completely goes away. Everytime I get a tan my acne goes away, but I know how bad it is for me. I’ve used topicals and oral prescriptions, but I’m so tempted to go get a tan because it’s winter and my skin is back at it again with the crazy pimples lol. Any recommendations?
I go during the winter here and there in the level 4 beds and they dont burn you and I go in for very short periods of time. Were I live theres barley any sun during the summer and I feel like 6 minutes a couple times a week isnt anything in comparison to let’s say someone living in Florida. I barely even get tan I do it because the new beds have uv a and uv b rays and like I said you dont burn at all. So I wonder if it’s the same as the old beds or lower level beds that will burn the crap out of you. I only do it to get a little color back in me and it helps when I haven’t gotten any sun in months. It’s not to look like a different race it’s just what I would look like if I lived in a state that had sunshine most of the year
What if you cover your face in the tanning bed and only go to the bronzing bed before a beach trip so you don’t burn? I apply sunless tanner to my face so I don’t get premature wrinkles there. I normally don’t burn that much but when you know your going to be on a beach all day for 5 days isn’t it better to have a base tan?
Dr. Pimple Popper University, I have a question Ive always been curious about Dr. Lee….Granted tanning, whether it be in a bed or in the actual sun is not good for a person, I am too stubborn and enjoy it too much to give it up,…so my question then is, is there a safer way to tan to sort of protect yourself?
Okay so I have a question, my skin since I was little was like medium to brown maybe, like I always had a tan. I remember getting sunburn only 1 time when I was 6 and generally growing up i rarely used sunscreen cause I always hated creams but I never really got burned. I always kept a darker skin/ tan. In the last 4 to 5 years I’ve really gotten any sun exposure cause if my job and I’m also not active in the say when not working. Also I’ve been to the beach a handful of times in these past few years. My skin has gotten white and I mean White White, very white, when I went to the army my face, neck and hands got a little color again that year but again I’m very white compared to when I was younger. I’m thinking this year of hitting the beach a lot and trying to get a tan, do i not use sunscreen at all like I used to? Do I try to get less smaller exposure sessions to get used to the sun again? Will I be burned after all these years without any exposure?
what do you think about the kollagen sunbeds. In my gym I could use one for free and they marked this new kollagen sunbeds like a healthier version of sunbed which dont tan you as much as the regular sunbed but the kollagen protein is supposed to make your skin softer. I cant find any information about these.
Do you have any recommendations for spray tans for sensitive skin? I didn’t realize I have sensitive skin and had an allergic reaction on only my face. It has not been the same since and it’s been 3 months. The NP I saw said that I got a chemical burn from it! It’s still itchy and ridiculously dry. I’d like to try spray tanning again, but I think I’ll stick to jergens natural glow.
i think tanning beds are useless even if somebody, many i know are really weird looking like their bodies are super light skinned and thier arms and/or heads are darker than chocolate. they look like black heads on skin. it’s kinda funny but y’know it is not as bad as the microwave like rays from a tanning bed perhaps, i think they’re microwaves bc i have no idea. me personally would suggest using the sun only even if that means you cant get an even tan most of the time, it’s worth it.
I can’t not tan. Spray tans don’t last and they don’t look like real tans. I’m not addicted to it. I just only tan in the summer. I know it’s super bad for you but I figure it’s like having one pack of cigarettes per year. It’s harmful but if you’re not doing it all the time it’s not as bad. Most things in moderation are fine.
Hey doc, Im on roaccutane my first moth 40mg now my second month im on 60mg my acne has gone away and im so happy, im getting married in september and i live in turkey its very hot here and the sun burns and i would love to get a tan for my wedding, my doc says she will put me on 70 mg for my last two months (4 months treatment in total), My questions are, How can i get a safe tan and protect myself while swimming and how long does is take for this med to leave the body and will my acne come back :/, Oh and how long should i wait till i can have children
With all due respect to you as a professional there is just no possible way that rubbing a chemical cream made in a lab which changes the color of my skin is safer than sunlight. How about those people that live in tropical areas and have much more stronger sun light on a daily basis life long and are perfectly fine even though they are shades tanner from there original color. Not sure about this. What do you guys think im Open to opinions
I hate the sun… I go bright red, bluster and peel even with sun screens so I avoid the sun completely. My hair wash white until I was 5 years old and when I say white I don’t mean blond I mean white as in a piece of a4 paper lol it turned brown bwteen 5 and 6 yo I’m now a brunette naturally but never tan and I’m not an albino cos I have brownish freckles n moles lol Scottish pink person lol xxx
When I see a tan forming on my body I freak out. I wear full-body sunscreen in the shade, on cloudy days, when I have to run out to go get the mail, if I’m just gonna be out for 15 minutes, etc. I have a family history of melanoma, I’m not gonna fuck around with my life just to fit a stupid trend. I wear long-sleeve spf shirts and a giant sunhat when the temperature outside is forgiving. I need spf pants lol. I look stupid when I’m wearing full body protection but I am protecting my DNA from damage as much as possible when I choose to look like a 5’3″ penis at the beach. 😂
I have a white, sensitive skin and I will not use tanning beds. A tanning bed is more like a giant human toaster. I think to keep my skin healthy is to apply olive oil and avoid the uv exposure between 09:00 in the morning until 16:00 in the afternoon during South Africa summer. Self tanning is good, the lotions are well develop and the high quality spray on is good in South Africa. Just my thoughts on tanning..