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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Is a light tan really dangerous?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Is a light tan really dangerous?
by bigstu, Jul 19, 2006 12:00AM
Hi. I'd be delighted if you could answer a question for me. According to everything I now read, there is no such thing as a safe tan. I used to be of the opinion that sunburn was obviously something to avoid, but that a LIGHT tan was okay. In fact, a light tan would indeed help to protect against burning.
In view of all the recent literature, I now avoid tanning altogether. However, a few days ago, I got sunburned. Not terrible but enough to annoy me. Let me explain why I was annoyed. I used to always maintain a light tan AND protection from sunscreen/covering up. I could then be relatively sure that if I was exposed to the sun for a short time (twenty minutes) without applying screen, I wouldn’t burn.
So two days ago I took my shirt off for a carefully timed twenty minutes and, lone behold, I burned! Now I realise it may well be argued that I shouldn’t have taken my shirt off at all or put screen on immediately (incidentally, I always put screen on areas which are permanently exposed like my face, neck and arms). However, putting cream on for the sake of twenty minutes, and then having to put a shirt on over sticky skin is an annoying ritual. Surely a balanced approach between a bit of natural protection (a light tan) and sensible timing can be adopted?
If I’d had a light tan, I know for a fact I wouldn’t have burned. That’s what annoys me. We’re only talking twenty minutes here. Notwithstanding the ‘no shirt off at all’ or ‘sunscreen on’ argument, after taking the latest advice, I got burned where I wouldn’t have previously. And surely sunburn is far worse than a light tan. In a way, by trying to be careful, I caused greater damage.
So to summarise, what I’m really asking is this. Is it safe to maintain a light tan (and only a light tan) to prevent burning? I suppose the advice would be don’t burn AND don’t tan. But we live in the real world and occasionally we’re going to either have no sunscreen at hand or simply forget. Surely a light tan in this case will be beneficial because it will prevent the far worse result of burning?
One final query. These lotions seem to have a long list of chemicals in their ingredients. Are they completely safe? Thanks in advance
In view of all the recent literature, I now avoid tanning altogether. However, a few days ago, I got sunburned. Not terrible but enough to annoy me. Let me explain why I was annoyed. I used to always maintain a light tan AND protection from sunscreen/covering up. I could then be relatively sure that if I was exposed to the sun for a short time (twenty minutes) without applying screen, I wouldn’t burn.
So two days ago I took my shirt off for a carefully timed twenty minutes and, lone behold, I burned! Now I realise it may well be argued that I shouldn’t have taken my shirt off at all or put screen on immediately (incidentally, I always put screen on areas which are permanently exposed like my face, neck and arms). However, putting cream on for the sake of twenty minutes, and then having to put a shirt on over sticky skin is an annoying ritual. Surely a balanced approach between a bit of natural protection (a light tan) and sensible timing can be adopted?
If I’d had a light tan, I know for a fact I wouldn’t have burned. That’s what annoys me. We’re only talking twenty minutes here. Notwithstanding the ‘no shirt off at all’ or ‘sunscreen on’ argument, after taking the latest advice, I got burned where I wouldn’t have previously. And surely sunburn is far worse than a light tan. In a way, by trying to be careful, I caused greater damage.
So to summarise, what I’m really asking is this. Is it safe to maintain a light tan (and only a light tan) to prevent burning? I suppose the advice would be don’t burn AND don’t tan. But we live in the real world and occasionally we’re going to either have no sunscreen at hand or simply forget. Surely a light tan in this case will be beneficial because it will prevent the far worse result of burning?
One final query. These lotions seem to have a long list of chemicals in their ingredients. Are they completely safe? Thanks in advance
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jul 20, 2006 12:00AM
, Jul 20, 2006 12:00AM
Technically, any ultraviolet exposure can cause some skin damage. Therefore, any tan can cause some damage. However, it is unrealistic in my view to expect people to never have any sun exposure at all.
Like many people, you have been told that a tan gives you a "base coat" that protects against burning. Even people who are capable of tanning can get at best protection equivalent to an SPF of 6. Obviously, you can--and should--do much better than that by using sunblock.
In sum, I wouldn't worry about one episode like the one you describe. But I also wouldn't depend on tanning to provide sun protection.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Like many people, you have been told that a tan gives you a "base coat" that protects against burning. Even people who are capable of tanning can get at best protection equivalent to an SPF of 6. Obviously, you can--and should--do much better than that by using sunblock.
In sum, I wouldn't worry about one episode like the one you describe. But I also wouldn't depend on tanning to provide sun protection.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
