There has always been a lot of hype surrounding the amount of protection afforded by a ‘base tan’. A base tan, often acquired at a tanning salon is thought to not only help prevent sunburns prior to a tropical vacation, but also to deliver an aesthetically pleasing golden hue. If you’re after that golden hue, then yes, a base tan will deliver. Unfortunately, there is little evidence to support the theory that it will help to protect against sunburns.
A tan (whether acquired by laying under the sun or a sunbed) delivers SPF (sun protection factor) protection of about 4. What you may not realize, however, is that the change in skin color that results from tanning is actually a sign of sun damage from UV radiation. Repeated exposure to unprotected UV exposure is known to increase the risk of developing premature skin aging and some types of skin cancer. In fact, the WHO has recently upgraded the classification of UV-emitting devices, such as tanning beds, from a probable carcinogen (cancer causing substance) to a known carcinogen. Read more about this in a recent blog posting.
To prevent sunburn, the following tips can help:
- Avoid UV exposure during the sun’s peak hours of 10am and 4pm
- If you can’t avoid the sun, cover up with protective clothing and sunglasses. Seek shade if possible
- Wear a good UVA/UVB blocking sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 daily, year round. Choose from a range including Anthelios sunscreens, Keys Solar Rx or Ombrelle sunscreens.
