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Winter Indoor Tanners Beware
Nearly 30 million Americans who visit tanning salons each year may do so because they believe they look better with a tan. In fact, they are putting themselves at risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a proven human carcinogen, and is linked with a higher risk of all forms of skin cancer, including potentially deadly melanoma, the most common form of cancer among young adults ages 25-29 years old. Multiple reports have documented the health risks associated with using UV-emitting tanning devices. With the help of this research, The Skin Cancer Foundation is dispelling some common tanning excuses.
The Skin Cancer Foundation Hosts 2011 Skin Sense Award Gala
The hosts for the evening were Katie Couric, Sam Champion, weather anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America, and Jerry Penacoli, EXTRA correspondent. Entertainment was provided by pop tenor Salvo Randazzo.
California Enacts Nation’s Strictest Teen Tanning Law
The End of Summer Does Not Mean the End of Sun Protection
You are probably in the habit of packing sunscreen for a day at the beach or pool. But the sun is up there 365 days a year, and you need protection much of that time to reduce your lifetime sun-exposure total. Everyday exposure counts; you do not have to be actively sunbathing to get a damaging dose of the sun. Photosensitivity – A Reason to Be Even Safer in the Sun IN THE HEADLINES... Did you know that certain medications and medical conditions can cause increased sensitivity to the sun’s ultraviolet rays? Just ask Deborah Sarnoff, MD, Skin Cancer Foundation educational spokesperson and senior vice president. She was quoted in a compelling New York Times article tackling the condition. Learn how to combat photosensitivity by taking extra caution when in the sun by reading Dr. Sarnoff’s article from the 2008 edition of The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal entitled “Photosensitivity –A Reason to Be Even Safer in the Sun.” |
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More than 400 people attended The Skin Cancer Foundation's annual Skin Sense Award Gala, held on October 11 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. The event honored The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Photobiology Committee, Elliott Sigal, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and President, Research and Development Bristol-Myers Squibb and Melisse Shaban, CEO of StriVectin, for their leadership roles in promoting skin health.
Children under the age of 18 have been banned from indoor ultraviolet (UV) tanning in California. On October 9, Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill replacing the Filante Tanning Facility Act of 1988, which allowed minors aged 14 and older to tan with the permission of a parent or guardian. Senator Ted W. Lieu proposed what has become the nation’s strictest tanning law. It will go into effect in January, 2012.
| Sunscreen Safety: The Reality |
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Despite recent claims about sunscreen safety, consumers should rest assured that sunscreen products, and specifically the ingredients oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate, are safe and effective when used as directed. Sunscreens should be considered a vital part of a comprehensive sun protection regimen that includes seeking shade, covering up with clothing including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses and avoiding tanning and UV tanning booths. Sun protection is essential to skin cancer prevention –about 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers and 65 percent of melanomas are associated with exposure to UV radiation from the sun. When shopping for sunscreen, consumers should look for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, which is awarded to sun protective products that meet stringent criteria for safety and effectiveness. The Foundation’s volunteer Photobiology Committee – dermatologists with specialized knowledge on how the sun affects skin – review test results of all products which apply for the Seal of Recommendation. The Foundation requires that testing be done on human subjects; it is the only organization which reviews scientific testing results for sunscreens. Any analysis of sunscreens based on computer models for measuring UVA and UVB coverage can only be classified as “pseudo-science”. For more information on how products are awarded the “Daily” and “Active” Seals of Recommendation, please click here. For more information on sunscreen safety, please click here.
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The Skin Cancer Foundation applauds the FDA for issuing its final regulations on sunscreens. According to the FDA, sunscreen ingredients are safe, and the benefit of regular sunscreen use far outweigh any potential risks.
Adults who use sunscreen daily can drastically reduce their risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, according to new landmark research from Australia. Researchers found that daily application of an SPF 16 sunscreen to the head, neck, arms, and hands reduced melanoma incidence by half in study participants.
Even if you have carefully practiced sun safety all summer, it’s important to continue being vigilant about your skin in fall, winter, and beyond. Throughout the year, you should examine your skin head to toe once a month, looking for any suspicious lesions. Self-exams can help you identify potential skin cancers early, when they can almost always be completely cured.
In an effort to promote sun safe behaviors among active people, The Skin Cancer Foundation has launched the Team SCF public service advertisement campaign. PGA Tour golfer and skin cancer survivor Brian Davis, 2009 world champion surfer Mick Fanning and record-setting angler Preston Clark are featured in the ads urging other outdoor enthusiasts to take sun-safety precautions. These dramatic, poignant ads have appeared in Time, Sports Illustrated Golf Plus, and Golf Magazine.
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© 2011 The Skin Cancer Foundation
149 Madison Avenue Suite 901 New York, New York 10016
(212) 725-5176