Learn why the best tan is no tan at all
Despite the popular idea that a tan makes you look healthy, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Tan skin is not healthy skin,” says Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society.
“So many people believe a suntan is a healthy sign, but it is a danger sign. A tan is the skin trying to protect itself from the sun.”
The skin has ways to avoid sun damage, and there are many things we can do, as well. ACS offers a simple mantra to help people remember the steps for protecting skin: Slip, slap, slop and wrap—slip on a shirt, slap on a hat, slop on sunscreen, and wrap on sunglasses. The best “sun-safe behavior,” Lichtenfeld says, is to limit sun exposure during peak hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“All these steps help,” he says. “There is also protective clothing that makes it easier to protect yourself against UV rays.”
These other methods surprise many people who are used to simply slapping on sunscreen, but Lichtenfield says skin protection involves much more.
Sunscreens are not the primary defense for skin protection, and they should be used as a second line of defense against the sun. An over-reliance on sunscreen can be dangerous, Lichtenfield says.
“Research shows that people believe sunscreen protects them and, because of that, when they put on sunscreen, they stay out in the sun longer without reapplying it, and there is a greater incidence of skin damage,” he says.
Sunscreen is one major step that can help make a difference in skin protection, but only if it is used correctly, Lichtenfeld says.
“It is important that people pay attention to the label, and know when and how to apply sunscreen,” Lichtenfeld says.
When choosing a sunscreen, ACS recommends using one with at least an SPF of 15, and one that protects against broad-spectrum UV rays.
And the key, Lichtenfeld says, is to properly apply the sunscreen—use the “slop” in the ACS motto.
“Most people don’t put enough on. You can’t just dab a bit on here and there,” he says. “And read the label. Know if it is waterproof, and how long it lasts. Most people don’t reapply it after swimming or sweating.”
Although everyone should protect their skin, those with fairer skin need to be particularly cautious, Lichtenfeld says.
“Everyone can get skin cancer, but those who work outdoors and those with lighter skin tones need to pay attention and be very aware about protecting their skin,” he says.
