Soak up the sun: Spring breakers hit tanning beds
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It's one of the busiest times of year for tanning salons, but if you talk with a salon manager and a dermatologist and you'll find differing statements on tanning.
JANESVILLE — Doctors cringe as spring breakers rush to local tanning salons to prep for the beach.
It's one of the busiest times of year for tanning salons, managers say, as people seek a base tan or an escape from winter for even a few minutes.
"People start to get ready for vacations, and they want to get a base tan so they don't burn," said Beth McGovern, manager of Paradise Island Tanning Salon in Janesville.
But talk with a salon manager and a dermatologist and you'll find differing statements on tanning.
'Base tan'
"You really want to get a base tan before you spend a lot of time in the sun," said Lyndsey Beltz, manager of Bronze Body Tan in Milton. "The more color you can get before a vacation, the less likely you're going to burn."
Dermatologists have a different view.
"It really does not help," said Dr. Jeanne Godar, a Mercy dermatologist. "A tan is equivalent of an SPF 4. This is not really sufficient for adequate protection when you're on vacation."
SPF stands for sun protection factor. An SPF 4 means you can be in the sun four times longer before you burn, Godar said.
Godar admits a base tan might help "up to a point," but "it really is not going to protect them from a sunburn."
UV index
Outdoor enthusiasts need to be aware of the UV index—the amount of ultraviolet rays expected to reach the earth's surface—because the sun is much stronger in southern latitudes than in Wisconsin right now.
"The higher the index, the faster (the sun) causes damage to skin," Godar said.
For example, the UV index in Janesville on a recent sunny day was 3, on a scale of 0 to 10. The same day, the UV index was 6 in Cancun, Mexico. People headed for the outdoors need to take more care when the index is between 5 and 10, Godar said.
UV index can be found in weather reports.
Even on a cloudy day, people can get a sunburn, Godar said.
If you tan
Despite health warnings, people are going to tan. So what's the safest way?
"There's no safe tanning," Godar said. "I do believe sunless tanning products could give a person the appearance they're seeking without the damage."
Beltz, however, cautions against using spray tans for people going on vacation because it only gives the illusion of a tan, so you're "going to burn just as much as you would have without it."
People using tanning beds should know what skin cancers look like and examine themselves once a month, Godar said.
Beltz and McGovern, both salon managers, offered these tips:
-- Go slowly.
"Start tanning a month before you go, build up slowly," Beltz said. "If you get pink, wait a few days."
-- Don't go tanning more than once within 24 hours.
-- Certain medications can make your skin hypersensitive, so talk with your doctor about your prescription, McGovern said.
-- Eye protection is a must. Without it, you can lose your night vision, Beltz said.
-- "The most important is just to never burn your skin," McGovern said. "Build your tan slowly."
McGovern also points out moderate sun exposure to gain Vitamin D is good for skin.
People headed to the beach should apply sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 about 30 minutes before sun exposure, reapply every two hours and after swimming, Godar said. Beach-goers also should wear sunglasses with ultraviolet protection.
Campus campaigns
At UW-Whitewater, where students are gearing up for spring break in just a few days, the health service on campus discourages the use of tanning beds.
"It's hard for young people to believe the information that I'm sharing with them," wellness coordinator Marilyn Kile said.
That's because the effects of UV rays don't show up right away, so it's hard for people to connect the cause and effect of skin damage or risk of cancer, she said.
Over the years, several campus campaigns have tried to make students aware of the effects of tanning, including giving out free sunscreen, she said.
Doctors warn that skin cancer has been rising over the past few years, with more than 1.3 million new cases likely to be diagnosed in the United States this year, Godar said.
About 70 percent of the 1 million Americans that use tanning beds are women and girls ages 16 to 29, she said. That's concerning because the effects won't show until those young people head into middle age, she said.
"The number of cases of future skin cancer will increase in future years," she said.
Mar 20, 2009 at 1:32 p.m.
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Well folks it's time to go make some lizard skin.Hope you all have fun frying in those money beds,I get mine free from mother natures finest called the sun, it may take a little longer but it's free and it's natural. I like it the old fashion way hot&creamy LOL
Mar 20, 2009 at 12:21 p.m.
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shop_gurl- you are not crazy. I feel the same way as you do. All the cellulite seems less apparent when you are tan. just my opinion.
Mar 19, 2009 at 4:40 p.m.
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callit......So when it comes to certain areas of our society you would say that you support socialism? Certainly sounds that way to me. Be careful about labeling others before you take a look at yourself. It is going to take a blend of moves representing both economic systems to help dig us out of the mess presided over by George Bush and a largely Republican Congress during the last eight years.
Mar 19, 2009 at 12:40 a.m.
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Big deal...Who cares...Fake and bake all you want. Some stories just don't need to make the paper and this is one of them.
Mar 18, 2009 at 10:29 p.m.
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I'm not sure if DR. Godar has been reading the current controversy regarding sunscreen, vitamin D deficiency, and their correlation to skin cancer.
Heck I’m not a doctor, but the countless researchers who conducted these studies hold multiple Medical Degrees.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen_c...
"The use of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 8 inhibits more than 95% of Vitamin D production in the skin. Recent studies showed that, following the successful "Slip-Slop-Slap" health campaign encouraging Australians to cover up when exposed to sunlight to prevent skin cancer, an increased number of Australians and New Zealanders became vitamin D deficient. Ironically, there are indications that vitamin D deficiency may lead to skin cancer."
Ryan -Hollywood Tan
Mar 18, 2009 at 9:13 p.m.
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The good doctor and the campus WC don't really have all the answers. Saying that people just don't believe them on what the effects of tanning will be till the future. Is kind of like saying people who indulge in anything that is deemed not healthy will just have to wait till the future to see what the results will be.....bah.....perhaps some of that skin cancer could be from our deteriorating ozone. The fact that more uv is being let in unchecked. Theres many many factors that come into play Perhaps it's the preservative in the foods we are eating making the numbers rise. No one will really ever know.
Mar 18, 2009 at 8:59 p.m.
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HA.. HA... SK
Mar 18, 2009 at 8:55 p.m.
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I guarantee you do mountains more damage to your body by drinking and smoking. Alcohol is a foreign substance to the body.Remember they can preserve flesh in it. And not in the good way. It does far worse damage than tanning. Not to even mention smoking,,,don't get me going on that one.Thats just pure stupidity. Like my father used to say....why don't you just go stand out side and breath in the smoke from a trash burning barrel. Alot cheaper and same difference.
Mar 18, 2009 at 8:45 p.m.
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The truth about tanning is not the tanning itself but how you go about getting a tan. Any time someone over uses, abuses or refuses to do any type of self treatment the correct way they run the risk of damaging them selves in some way or another. This is why in tanning it is of the utmost importance to use good lotions, The tanning process will draw out moisture from your skin if you don't use a lotion. The lotion acts as a barrier/protectant for your skin. Also all those layers of dry flakes of skin inhibit the UV rays from doing their job of producing melanine, which is our body's way of protecting itself from the burning damage that is more likely to happen out in the sun. Which is where almost all the cancer causing damage happens and it's been proven this happens way before your an adult. It's takes alot more time in a tanning bed to achieve your tan if your skin is dry. Use those lotions...less time in the beds equates to a faster tan and less drying of the skin. The benefits of tanning far outway the negatives. There is new proven evidence that the production of Vit.D greatly reduces the risk of Breast and Ovarian cancer. theres a whole slew of other benifits....not enough time to list them all.......so keep on tanning.......
Mar 18, 2009 at 7:52 p.m.
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I know SILLY ME, I am a red head DUH I do not do tan but my wife does and so do my employees and they really like Paradise, and have been dooped by these bogus adds all over
Mar 18, 2009 at 7:50 p.m.
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REDDER...tsk tsk...an american business owner lie? How dare you say those things. ;)
Mar 18, 2009 at 7:47 p.m.
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pretty funny all the other owners come on here and try to promote their own spas (if thats what you call them) their are alot of rip offs that have adds that just plain lie, you go there and its all a lie, yeah free tan (how is 80 bucks free) change the bulbs YEAH 5 years ago when the bed was bought. CLEAN, are you kidding me, whith what? Paradise is the place if you want a real honest deal. Watch out people alot of lies out there
Mar 18, 2009 at 7:38 p.m.
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Paradise Tan is the best in town with real value and a ZERO rip off factor. They pride themselves on their cleanliness, that they change the bulbs so you GET your money's worth. Great products at great prices, and a very helpful staff. My wife goes there and I don't even mind paying for this place. Just a good FYI
Mar 18, 2009 at 7:01 p.m.
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GR8T..........I love you!!!!!! Too funny!!!!! Great post. Alot of assumptions going on here. I smoke, tan (outside) drink a few cocktails, and in the summer, do them all at the sametime on my deck with my other sinner friends right beside me. Ahhhhh...the life. As I said before, if one thing isn't going to kill you, another will, after all, none of us make it out of here alive do we? Why worry about dying so much? We will have PLENTY of time to be dead when we are dead. Live life for cryin out loud. ;o)
Mar 18, 2009 at 6:31 p.m.
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OK here goes.. I am sure I am going to hear about this one..lol I am a tall, bigger girl.. I feel that as a "bigger girl" I look better tan, then I do when I am snow white. People just dont seem to look as big when they are tan. Now I understand the health risks, but like I said.. I feel better about myself when I am tan. I have went tanning for YEARS (atleast 10) and am currently going to HOLLYWOOD TAN.. I buy their products and so should you! The bronzing lotions really do what they say they will do... try them, even if your not wanting to use the tanning beds... they are by far better then the sunless tanning creams you would buy at the walmart/target stores.. you actually look TAN not ORANGE. Again please understand this is just my opinion about being a big girl and feeling better and looking better with a tan. Its fact that anyone who uses the lotions with bronzer will fall in love with them.
Mar 18, 2009 at 6:18 p.m.
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Appears as some people that are complaining about spring breakers, tanners and smokers need a vacation, vitamin D(;)I recommend Hollywood Tan), and have a smoke to relax you! Maybe if you did one or all of these you would be in a gr8t mood and not on here pissing about what others do..Otherwise seek therapy for being such a unhappy, cranky person! Good Luck
Mar 18, 2009 at 5:12 p.m.
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Hey! Hollywood Tan I go there great place. It is my choice to tan nobody has any right to tell me that my choices are wrong just because the don't agree with it. I don't agree with things but I don't lecture people on the bad things about it. Also I am not ashamed of being white! Get a life people!
Mar 18, 2009 at 3:14 p.m.
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I personally used tanning beds once upon a time to control my eczema outbreaks. Even had a doctor tell me if it works, keep doing it. I didn't actually look like I tanned as I only went maybe once a week. I swear it made my mood better in the winter too. Everything has it's good and bad points.
Mar 18, 2009 at 3:12 p.m.
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"hiii98. Don't you own a tanning salon?"
yes i own Hollywood Tan in Janesville.
Mar 18, 2009 at 3:10 p.m.
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hiii98. Don't you own a tanning salon?
Mar 18, 2009 at 3:07 p.m.
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I think they are great NVGRF. What I don't like is taxing individuals and small businessmen who have kept their finances straight to cover for those who haven't. What I don't like is our government socializing banks and insurance companies. What I don't like is the erosion of our rights by either the republicans or democrats. Government has its place but Bush and Obama will set those right back 230 years with their policies.
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:57 p.m.
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Not a waste of money - must be part of the stimulus package. Without jobs, people have more time to work on that tan.
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:38 p.m.
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So your skin is white,your not healthy,give me a break! You people that want change in their skin color is ,and your reasoning is stupid. M. Jackson wanted a little "LESS" color,right! These kids just want the commith here look to hookup with as many hookup's as they "THINK" they look better,face it. Waste of money,in my opinion,but the STD doctors will like the extra money when they return,& alcohol & drugs dependencies. You parents that send your kids into this kind of setting think that they will get it out of their system,to make them better at a marriage? Carma follows you,ya know.
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:35 p.m.
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"YOUR SKIN WILL LOOK & FEEL LIKE LEATHER.Bank that with "NO" change."
very true statement but also misleading. The leathery skin in a result of overexposure to uv light...this is also immediately impacted by DRY non-moist skin. Basically if you are laboring in the sun everyday and never use a moisturizer (all healthy skin must be hydrated) your skin will toughen up. Thankfully most tanning salons offer tanning lotion which is specifically designed to not only prevent the leathery skin symptom, but most higher end lotions actually reduce wrinkles and provide your skin with a silky smooth texture. Your skin is the body's largest organ...imagine not drinking water and what your organs might look like from dehydration? Well you must hydrate your skin just like any other organ in your body to keep it healthy.
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:26 p.m.
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"These tanning beds aren't any different than a person who chooses to smoke. "
that sir is completely and entirely untrue. As humans we are BIOLOGICALLY MADE TO be in the sun. Recent studies have proven that those who tan are LESS LIKELY to develop malenoma (the skin cancer that will kill you) than those who do not tan and use a sunblocker. In other words those NOT TANNING *responsibly posses a higher statistical threat of contracting a terminal type of skin cancer.
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:20 p.m.
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"Just like smoking, people won't believe the effects until it REALLY starts showing up in the future." Do you realize the number one killer statistically is cholesterol? so shouldn’t we as Wisconsinites be more concerned about obesity than tanning?? Wisconsin has one the highest rate of obesity in the nation...
another detrimental impact to your health is a lack of vitamin d or a deficiency....which i would assume the majority of non tanners have in winter. Please research all of the harmful effects a lack of vitamin D can have on your health. they are finding out that is has a greater impact than vitamin c (yes your orange juice).
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:16 p.m.
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" Either be proud of who you are,or induce the chance for cancer & when you pretty people get older,YOUR SKIN WILL LOOK & FEEL LIKE LEATHER.Bank that with "NO" change."
tanning has nothing racial about it. Its like telling women to stop wearing makeup as they are not "proud of who they are". Astetically a tan helps improve your looks and gives the impression of health. It also makes you body appear thinner and more muscular. Cancer is caused by a countless number of factors, uv exposure is only one.
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:10 p.m.
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once you're orange it a sign its time to stop!
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:02 p.m.
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callit....What is your view of our police departments, fire departments, public libraries, and so on?
Mar 18, 2009 at 1:39 p.m.
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Too funny zippy!!!
Mar 18, 2009 at 12:04 p.m.
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Finally NVGRF, you admit you are a socialist. Ninety two percent of Americans are still at work. Kids are still going to college and resorts are still open. Why shouldn't they take a spring break if they want to? I guess your idea is to tax these kids and there parents to pay off the people who are losing their homes mortgages and then make it impossible for the kids or their folks to vacation?
Mar 18, 2009 at 11:38 a.m.
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These tanning beds aren't any different than a person who chooses to smoke. And the irony is, I can bet there are many who use them that would NEVER suck on a grit because of the risk of cancer. To each is own. I smoke, but would never use a tanning bed. How is one choice better than the next? The earth's nature can also cause cancer. Anyway we look at it, we are all at risk, no matter what we try and avoid. That is why I chose to live life day by day. And do the best I can today, because really, the only thing that is guaranteed is "now", the present. Tomorrow is unknown to us all.
Mar 18, 2009 at 11:35 a.m.
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Our Lake Havasu breakers are starting to come in. They are great for the tri-state economy, but there are always one or two killed due to that lethal combination of stupidity and alcohol.
Maybe it's the socialist in me, but doesn't there seem something innately wrong with kids spending spending thousands of dollars to screw around thousands of miles away from home while tens of thousands are losing their homes? I guess, as Don King would say, "Only in America!"
Mar 18, 2009 at 11:15 a.m.
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Zippy - you forgot to mention you also like to scratch the lottery tickets while you are in the bed tanning....
Mar 18, 2009 at 10:44 a.m.
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I like to smoke while getting a tan. Helps settle the whiskey.
Mar 18, 2009 at 10:26 a.m.
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Little Miami is actually Bronze Body Tan in Milton. =)
Mar 18, 2009 at 10:07 a.m.
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Just like smoking, people won't believe the effects until it REALLY starts showing up in the future.
.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
Mar 18, 2009 at 10:07 a.m.
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It always amazes me that people that go to tan,are so insecure of their WHITE SKIN! I myself think white skin is sexy. Either be proud of who you are,or induce the chance for cancer & when you pretty people get older,YOUR SKIN WILL LOOK & FEEL LIKE LEATHER.Bank that with "NO" change.
Mar 18, 2009 at 10:02 a.m.
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A foolish waste of time, money and your health.
Mar 18, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.
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I love Paradise Island they are so friendly and price right and clean!
Mar 18, 2009 at 9:09 a.m.
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