MELISSA HAYES
A&E EDITOR

Cosmetic benefits of a suntan not worth the harmful health effects

Spring is in the air. It’s almost time to ditch the heavy winter layers in favour of the lighter, skin-baring variety. But as my wardrobe lightens up, and body parts that haven’t seen the light of day since the temperatures started dipping are suddenly on display, I won’t succumb to the pressure of turning my skin a buttery, summery brown.

I’m not saying I don’t appreciate a good suntan – I’ll be the first to admit that I love the beachy, carefree look. I just don’t think it’s worth the time, effort, and health risks.

It is well known that long periods of time spent in the sun without the proper protection can lead to skin cancer. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, it’s the most common and fastest spreading form of cancer.

Beyond the scarier consequences, overexposure of sunlight can also lead to photo-aging (read: premature age spots, wrinkles and damaged, leathery skin). As someone who regrettably spent some of her teenage years laying slathered in lotion, not really considering all of the above, I wish I had let old-fashioned sun bathing remain just that – a thing of the past.

Indoor tanning is even worse. A recent study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer found the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 per cent when the under-30 crowd is exposed to the ultraviolet radiation in tanning beds.

The study also ranked tanning beds alongside other deadly cancer-causing agents like arsenic and tobacco. Fortunately, I have never seen the inside of a tanning bed and I think the look of a sun-kissed glow is definitely not worth what you could potentially be walking away with.

The final option in achieving the bronzed look doesn’t involve the sun at all. Sold as either a cream or spray, sunless tanners are advertised as the safest way to get golden –but aren’t without negative effects. In 2007, a study on UV-generated free radicals in skin found that skin treated with DHA – the plant-derived chemical used in sunless tanning products –generates 180 per cent more free radicals when exposed to the sun versus untreated skin. That means while using sunless tanners, you’ll have to avoid the sun, since photo-aging is put into overdrive. Faux-tans can also be high maintenance, messy and provide less than desirable results. Last summer’s experience of stained white dresses and hours spent exfoliating and re-applying can attest.

All things considered, I whole-heartedly agree with the Canadian Cancer Foundation that “no tan is a safe tan.” After all, a suntan is really just damaged skin, no matter how you look at it. Regardless of your natural shade, protect your skin – it will definitely thank you later.