I’ve gotten some rather pointed comments regarding my recent post on tanorexia, some of which pointed out the health benefits of tanning. In light of that, I thought it would be worth taking a moment to examine those supposed health benefits. Are the real or not, and if so, is there a difference between real sunlight and indoor tanning beds?
What Are The Benefits Of Tanning?
I’ll confess up front that I am by no means afraid of spending time in the sun. In fact, I enjoy the outdoors immensely, and spend a great deal of time outdoors. Although I’ve been trying to do a better job with UV protection, like choosing a good sunblock when I’m going out, truth be told, I don’t protect myself as much as most health professionals would recommend. But its worth taking a moment to study the science on this subject to understand whether we should really seek that deep bronze look so many people crave.
As luck would have it, a report on the health effects of tanning was recently prepared by an FDA advisory committee regarding this very subject, so it’s an excellent source for this comparison, and is probably worth a read if you’re so inclined.
Regarding the subject of UV exposure in general, there appears to be little disagreement among most health care professionals. As most of us are aware, UV radiation is the part of the solar spectrum responsible for tanning. Ultraviolet radiation has also been cited by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization as a proven human carcinogen. The American Academy of Dermatology and the American Association of Pediatrics also apparently consider the matter well-settle
All skin damage in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood is a key risk factor in the development of skin cancer… All children under age 21 should avoid the use of tanning salons and the Academy supports the efforts to ban the usage in children.
That’s all pretty clear.
Possible Tanning Benefits
1. A Reinforcing “Stimulus” From UV Exposure
In the FDA report, the authors acknowledge that in at least one blind study, participants overwhelmingly reported feeling “better” after spending time in a tanning bed that produced UV radiation, versus a bed that did not product ultraviolet wavelengths.
Some studies have indicated that exposure to UV radiation may cause the body to produce endorphins, which may be a contributor to the condition known as tanorexia.
2. Seasonal Affective Disorder
The FDA report acknowledges that light has been tied to improvements in mood. However, most independent research suggests that improvements in mood are more closely tied to exposure to blue, green, and yellow wavelengths, rather than ultraviolet. Independent studies found little benefit to “light therapy,” but the jury’s still out on whether tanning may improve the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
3. Vitamin D Production
Vitamin D is generally known as the “sun vitamin” since its produced by the body on exposure to UV light. However, the amount of sunlight required to increase vitamin D levels can be difficult to achieve during winter months, particularly for those who live north of Atlanta, GA (in the U.S.). However, in addition to dietary sources, there are also supplements available, which I myself have started taking during winter months.
The science behind the risks of tanning seems to be pretty well settled in the minds of many health care experts, so we each have to make up our own minds on the subject.
For myself, I tend to be of the mindset of “all things in moderation.” So, for practical reasons, I’ve forced myself to adopt hats as a more frequent part of my wardrobe, and I make more liberal use of sunblock during high UV days.
I could do with a tan myself. We have extremely high levels of UV radiation here in NZ so we try to avoid the sun most of the time.