From blistering to bronze, the truth about tanning

t's the time of year when the tank tops and shorts come out and blindingly white skin begins to see the light.

It's also the time when many outdoorsy types and sun worshippers experience their first sunburn, intentional or not.

Although we all know skin in its natural, untanned state is most healthy, many of us think we look healthier, thinner — heck, even hotter — with a burnished glow suggestive of leisurely hours under the sun.

With that in mind, here's a look at the conventional wisdom and realities of the burn-peel-tan life.

MYTH: Sunless tanning, also known as fake-a-bake, is risk-free.

REALITY: It is true that using any of a variety of lotions, sprays, gels, creams and powders from the multi-million-dollar sunless-tanning industry can impart a sun-kissed glow without exposure to dangerous UV rays.

But some researchers worry that the fashion for a bronzed look, even a cosmetically induced one, may encourage many people to seek a tanned appearance at any cost.

According to a study published last year in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, young women who used sunless tanners were more likely to have been sunburned and to have visited tanning parlors compared with those who were not interested in and did not use such bronzing lotions.

The study, conducted at Boston University School of Medicine, also reported that, although many self-tanning products do not contain sunscreen, a number of young women believe they offer sun protection.

source:seattletimes.nwsource.com