To Tan or not to Tan?
(previously published in The Experts Magazine)

Centuries ago having a tan meant that much time was spent outdoors perhaps as a farm laborer or servant - in other words a peasant. In my grandmother’s day (late 1800’s early 1900’s), a lady always wore a hat and gloves to protect her skin from the sun. A milky white complexion was the desired goal.

In the 50’s/60’s, tanning did a complete reversal. A person who had a deep dark “Coppertone” tan became the envy of everyone who had to spend their summer indoors, working. Those who had time to play in the sun had the desired look.
Now, with changes in the protective ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere, we must exercise caution when it comes to sun exposure. People are flocking to suntan beds, where exposure to UV rays is controlled, and a tan can be kept year round.

So how does one decide whether or not to tan, and if so, how much? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of sun exposure.

Pros:

• That golden glow is attractive and healthy looking.

• A certain amount of exposure to u.v. rays is necessary to make Vitamin D in our bodies. Some research indicates only 5 to 10 minutes 3 times a week is sufficient.

• Exposure to u.v. rays can help in the treatment of certain skin conditions such as psoriasis.

• A certain amount of exposure to the sun can boost our spirits and lift our mood and energy levels. This is particularly noticeable in the winter when days are much shorter. What can be more depressing than going to work when it’s dark and coming home when it’s still dark (was there daylight in between or not?) That is about the time that I thank the good Lord that I live in Southern Alberta instead of Nunavut, where it’s pitch dark for at least 20 hours out of the 24.

• If a winter vacation in the sun simply can’t be done, at least thanks to the tanning bed, one can look like time has been spent on the beach. Psychologically, you look like you’ve been there, you feel like you’ve been there (due to the mood lift) & it costs next to nothing. The only thing better is to actually be there.

Now for the Cons:

• Over-exposure to the sunlight causes structural damage that affects the skin’s elasticity. Once the skin has lost its elasticity, it cannot be restored. This results in pre-mature wrinkling of the skin.

• Older people that have tanned or been outdoors all their lives, tend to have skin that resembles leather. In this area of the world, we would naturally tan only in the summer. However, due to our love affair with tanning beds, we can now expose our skin to u.v. rays year-round.

• Brown splotches called solar lentigines may develop on over-exposed areas and they can be permanent.

• Too much sun can cause heat rash on the skin or even heat strokes or sun-stroke.

• Some medications bring out an allergic-type reaction when you expose the skin to sun rays. Some antibiotics as well as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy seem to be the worst. Check with your Pharmacist if you have questions.

• Of course, there is always the concern about skin cancer. Research shows that as few as two or more bad sunburns before the age of 18 can increase the chances of developing cancer later in life.
If you are going to tan, be kind to your skin and do so with caution. I personally like the old adage “everything in moderation.”