As most of our industry is well aware, UVB exposure through natural sunlight or indoor tanning has positive effects on the body. Researchers such as the renowned Dr. Michael Holick of Boston University have well documented these effects. His books, “The Vitamin D Solution” and “The UV Advantage” go into great detail with the basic premise that “sunshine is good for you!” Thousands of these books are in the hands of salon operators and used as a source of info to counter the anti-UV exposure position that the media has pushed for years. His depth and coverage of the positive effects of UVB rankled many from a medical community that has held fast to a “sun exposure leads to skin cancer” mantra.
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Admittedly, overexposure and sunburn can have deleterious effects, including premature aging of the skin; but the lack of sun exposure (our main source of vitamin D) can cause serious health problems. I know Dr. Holick personally, and have heard him speak on the subject many times. While most folks assume that we get plenty of vitamin D from sources like fortified milk, Dr. Holick’s research finds that it provides far less than what is claimed on the label! Of course, too much of a good thing may not be good and Holick makes sure we all understand that he’s referencing “moderate UV exposure” – as in just a few minutes each day, not protected by clothing or sunscreen – is needed to assure that we are able to maintain a sufficient vitamin D level.
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Some in the medical community have shrugged off this position, claiming vitamin D supplements are the way to ensure proper levels. However, the large quantity we’d have to ingest can push the risk of calcification, which happens when calcium builds up in body tissue, blood vessels or organs, causing hardening that can disrupt your body’s normal processes. Not a good thing! Holick concludes that moderate exposure to UVB can have a positive effect on osteoporosis, cancers of the colon, prostate and breast, hypertension, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and depression.
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Now, as clarified in our Sun is Life® Training and Certification program, UV indoor tanning systems designed for cosmetic tanning in salons are classified by the Food and Drug Administration as Class II medical devices. Additionally, salon operators can make no medical or health claims to the public about these products or their effects. It can be frustrating, but claims or ads that weaken or lessen the effect of the written exposure warning required to be displayed on UV tanning systems cannot be made. The Federal Trade Commission monitors our industry for any such claims.
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Nonetheless, we know that moderate, non-burning exposure to UV is not a bad thing. New research comes forward quite often that supports this position. Witness the commentary by Dr. Win L. Chiou, world-renowned authority in pharmacokinetics, an expert in dermatology and former consultant to the FDA. Dr. Choiu positions that the widely-touted position that people must apply suncreen to all exposed skin every day – based on the concept that all sunlight exposure damages the skin – may be the wrong message. He points to numerous studies that have indicated many potential health benefits from non-burning sun exposure including protection against sunburn, melanoma, colorectal, breast and prostate cancers, increased vitamin D synthesis, better sleep, lower blood pressure and decreased incidence of heart attack and stroke. His conclusions? Dr. Choiu proposes that health authorities should consider the following:
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1. Inform the public about the benefits of daily, non-burning exposure to UV, while warning about the risk and dangers of sunburn or improper sunscreen use.
2. Inform the public that daily, non-burning sunlight exposure may not significantly increase the incidence of premature aging, sunburn and skin cancers and the wearing of sunscreens may actually reduce the health benefits of such exposure.
3. Recognize that the degree of sun protection varies with regard to race, skin type, length of exposure and geographic latitude, and general guidelines should be established as such.
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Research on the positive effects of UV exposure continue to roll in and of course, that’s encouraging. Remember, millions of people weigh the risks and benefits of UV exposure and choose to seek a cosmetic tan at professional indoor tanning facilities where sessions are delivered according to individual skin type and controlled by a timer to minimize the risk of sunburn and overexposure.
