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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
damage control for indoor tanning
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
damage control for indoor tanning
by Senra, May 23, 2007 12:00AM
I am looking for a recommendation for how to best care for my skin cosmetically if I am continuing to tan indoors. I realize, fully, the risks associated w/ this re: cancer and aging of the skin. I have tried to minimize damage to my skin in general by trying to use products w/ sunscreen, by using sunless tanning methods, and by trying to limit the amount of indoor tanning that I do do - but the reality is that I am still going to continue to tan indoors during the spring/summer months (I live in New England). I recently saw my dermatologist for my annual skin cancer screening, told him I have a history of tanning and what would be the best way to erase/reverse damage and prevent future damage. Of course I neglected to say I was still tanning indoors! He recommended botox around my eyes and maybe my forehead but told me not to rush into it since it is not permanent anyway. And, of course, he gave me the helioplex sunscreen. I'm not sure what his recommendation would be if I told him that I would still be tanning indoors. Again I do know that indoor tanning is like smoking, to your skin, but I also know that there are a lot of options that would be better cosmetically than doing nothing at all while still continuing to tan indoors. I am 33, and female w/ fair skin. I probably tan about 3 times a week, sometimes more and sometimes less though.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, May 24, 2007 12:00AM
, May 24, 2007 12:00AM
Continuing to tan will inevitably cause your skin to age, not to mention increase your risk of skin cancer. The best way to minimize the cosmetic damage sun can cause is to use a sunblock. So I guess I could suggest that you use a sunblock while you're tanning, though that would sort of defeat the purpose.... I think your question refers to products, like moisturizers, that advertise themselves as helping aging. They don't, though--all they can do is mask wrinkles for a period of time. So basically, you can't damage your skin and make it look better at the same time. Your choice.
Dr. Rockoff
Dr. Rockoff
I have to say, I am shocked by your post! I have done everything I can possibly do to protect my skin and to see a post like yours just blows me away!
I am betting if you saw my husbands aunt who had melanoma on her nose and had her ENTIRE nose removed and had it rebuilt with cartalige from her ear and then had to have a flap of skin cut from her hairline, flipped around to cover the new nose cartalige you might have a different opinion.
I wonder how you would look if you had to shave your nose every morning like she does...let me guess, you probably dont have health insurance so when you get skin cancer my tax dollars will have to go and pay your doctor bills.
Grow up and use the forum for mature questions, not vanity fueled un-intelligent questions...