Show KSCOUR1FJTNESS1 Tanning salons mimic smnsMne But all rays pose a health risk same way as BCG hut fatal if not caught early The question Are tanning salons safe? I go to one two or three times a week My instructor there says the ultraviolet radiation from the salon’s lights is safer than the ultraviolet radiation from the sun Is this true? I stay only 25 minutes at a stretch If it is harmful I'd like to know why and in what way Ann Arsenault By Enfield Conn The answer The topic of tanning is tricky says Dr Kays y with irregular outlines that may crust or bleed These are treatable through surgery and can be fetal if not caught early Ultraviolet also Arsenault Nits the salon twice a week professor of derthe University of Pennsylvania The bottom line is that there is no such thing as “safe” tanning Tanning is your body’s defense against ultraviolet (UV) radiation and all UV radiation is bad for skin Evidence suggests the damage is cumulative and not reversible But if you insist on tanning the tanning salon rays are probably less harmful than sunlight Kaidbey says Most tanning salon bulbs emit ultraviolet A while the sun light (UVA) emits both ultraviolet B (UVB) and UVA UVB rays are more intense causing accelerated damage to skin cells Some salons do use bulbs that emit UVB so find out which type bulb your salon uses All UV light can disturb the genetic makeup of skin cells possibly triggering any or all of three types of skin cancer Basal cell carcinomas (BCQ are the most common type of skin cancer They appear as raised translucent nodules that may crust or bleed They are treatable by removing nodules with an electric needle Squamous all carcinomas (SOQ are less common and more serious than BCG They appear as raised pink nodules that may ulcerate in the center They are treated the associate matology at ules Ruben Perez TANNING FAN: Ana salons can be Malignant melanomas are the most serious type of skin cancer They appear as small patches or nod- light stimulates pro- duction of a substance that causes skin to age and wrinkle prematurely There are sunscreens that help filter out UVB rays or both UVB and UVA rays It makes no sense to wear a sunscreen in a tanning salon however since your intention is to get a tan (Always take it to the beach though You spend more time there than in a salon) Kaidbey says it’s good that you limit your sessions to 25 minutes You should go no more than three times a week no longer than a half hour per session Exposure to 15 to 20 joules (a measurement of the energy contained in light waves) is enough to trigger the tanning process Go to salons that know how many joules their machines emit in a session Always wear goggles that screen out ultraviolet light to prevent damaging the retina Also remember that a salon tan doesn’t protect you from sunburn If you’ve bon hitting a salon regularly but take to the Florida beaches for a winter fling you should limit tanning time to avoid sunburn O — Josatkai Waiters Do you have a health or fitness question? Write to USA WEEKEND Your Fitness Box 500W Washington 20044 Include brief biographical data and your home and work addresses and phone PO DC numbers All letters will be sidered for publication USA Weekend Feb SURGEON con- 1987 GENERAL'S WARNING: Cigarette Smoke Contains Carbon Monoxide 7 x xcc fC O rfyvti |