New Ads Claim Tanning Is Good for You
Doctors Say Ads Misleading, Misrepresent the Truth

The Indoor Tanning Association has launched a new ad campaign to tout the benefits of ultraviolet light.

By ELISABETH LEAMY AND ALLEN LEVINE
March 27, 2008
The country's tanning salons are taking on the medical establishment with a bold campaign to convince Americans that exposure to ultraviolet radiation is actually good for you.

"Go get a tan. Your body will thank you," the Indoor Tanning Association proclaims in a TV ad that will appear nationally.

The association launched its marketing drive today with a full page ad in The New York Times to counter medical research that blames ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning salons for causing melanoma.

"The dermatologists, the sunscreen and cosmetic industries have tried to say that somehow moderate tanning causes melanoma, which is just not true," Sarah Longwell of the Indoor Tanning Association told "Good Morning America" today. (there's an Indoor Tanning Association??

Longwell says the studies warning against prolonged tanning in the sun or use of indoor tanning beds relied on "junk science."

To back its claims, the group cites a study by A. Bernard Ackerman -- who once received the "Master Dermatologist Award" from the American Association of Dermatology -- questioning whether exposure to ultraviolet rays from tanning really can cause melanoma.

"While our campaign will be controversial, it's time people learned the truth about sun exposure," Longwell said. "Not only is moderate tanning completely safe, more and more it's becoming just what the doctor ordered."

The ads say tanning actually is helpful because the body needs to get vitamin D from the sun.

But one doctor said people can get their daily vitamin D requirement from food and a few minutes of sun a week.

Yale Medical School's David Leffell said the ads are misleading.

"The ad misrepresents scientific fact," he said. "Ultraviolet radiation from the sun and from the artificial bulbs that are used in the tanning parlors can lead to skin cancer."

For one cancer survivor, the advertisements were disturbing.

"I don't think they're being honest at all," said Emily Konesky, who fought off advanced stage melanoma two years ago. She said her doctor attributed her illness to her tanning salon habit.

"It is not natural for a 19-year-old to be diagnosed with cancer that takes 30 to 40 years to develop," said Konesky, who used to go to indoor tanning salons as much as four times a week. "I wake up every single morning and think this could be the day that the cancer could come back."

Konesky believes she is living proof ultraviolet rays can do damage because she has the physical scars to prove it.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=4534076&page=1

I have wondered about this before. Anything in excess is bad for you, so excessive sun exposure probably is bad for you. I do imagine, though, that after a few hundred thousand years human beings have adapted to at least moderate amounts of UV rays.

The sun block industry is sketchy. 45 SPF? 60 SPF? Really? Nobody, even the fairest redhead on Earth needs that protection. Everything over SPF 30 is just overkill, and few people need that much. I'm white and use sunblock my first time at the beach every year, and that's it.

it really depends on where you are and the burn time that day. If there's a high UV risk that day and burn time is 5mins, with SPF 30 on, you've got just over a couple hours of protection before you have to reapply. For those than just wanna put it on in the morning and not worry, they go for the 60. It really depends on the conditions under which you're sunnin.

in fairness the man said moderate tanning.

Moderate to me means you wear sunscreen every day and tend to darken a bit playing out side a lot in the summer time.

Tanning in a bed designed to darken every square inch of your body 4 times a week probably 30 minutes a session is not MODERATE.

Spending time outside having fun is probably good for you. Spending time in a sun coffin... nah. You can eat Vitamin D. Everyones skin is differnent anyway, some people are predisposed to get more melanoma and some people arent.

Either way, much like people who still smoke. If you aren't using sun screen... you pretty much know you are harming yourself.

Polymorphous Light Eruption is what happens to me every late spring.

I've been told to go to the tanner before going in the sun after being indoors all winter.
I could wear SPF100Billion and I still get the itchy rash, and blisters.


Last year I wasn't even IN the direct sunlight when I broke out. It goes away after awhile but it's a pain to have to deal with.

I will try and find a link later on, after class, but I swear I read somewhere that anything after SPF 30 does absolutely nothing more for you than what SPF 30 will do. That's the most protection you can have.

I could be wrong, but still any adult has had enough exposure to the sun to where they should know their boundries.

That's harsh.

It's weird. The rash goes away. But it's like an allergic reaction.

I feel like a leper for about a week every spring.

Cancer campaigner Clare Oliver dies

Sarah-Jane Collins
September 13, 2007 - 1:33PM

Melbourne cancer patient Clare Oliver, who led a campaign to regulate the solarium industry, died this morning in hospital, doctors said.

The 26-year-old was suffering from an aggressive melanoma after frequent solarium use.

Ms Oliver's doctor, associate professor Grant McArthur, said she had used her illness to educate others about the dangers of solariums.

"Clare has taught us all about the importance of speaking out. Her voice will make a difference,'' he said.

"She's touched the hearts of many people and is changing the behaviour of many young Australians," he said.

Associate Professor McArthur said Ms Oliver's mother, Priscilla, was devastated by the death of her only child.

"We really can't begin to understand the grief that Priscilla is feeling, Clare was her only child and dearly loved."

He said Mrs Oliver was proud of her daughter's campaign and hoped it would have an impact on people's behaviour.

"I think her legacy will be that we have a very strong message to send to all Australians about the risk of excessive sun exposure and about the risk of solariums."

Associate Professor McArthur called on the solarium industry to be more aware of the health risks involved in any form of tanning.

"This is a dangerous industry and they should be discouraging people from partaking in solarium use."

Ms Oliver was diagnosed with melanoma three years ago and although the original melanoma was removed, the cancer returned and she was given only a few weeks to live.

Just 25 at the time of her diagnosis, Ms Oliver told the ABC it was her goal to live to see her 26th birthday.

Ms Oliver said the cancer had occurred after 20 visits to a solarium in her early 20s.

She said she had not been aware of the dangers of excessive tanning and was shocked when she found out about her cancer.

Since Ms Oliver spoke out about the dangers of solarium use, both the Victorian and Federal governments have moved to tighten restrictions on the tanning industry.

Also speaking at today's press conference, professor David Hill, from the cancer council, said there had been a 500 per cent increase in the number of solariums in Melbourne in the past 10 years.

He said he was concerned about solarium use in Melbourne and Ms Oliver's death will make people think twice about visiting solariums.

Prime Minister John Howard said Ms Oliver captured the hearts of a nation and Australia's top policymakers from her sickbed with her campaign against solariums.

"I just think the whole thing should be made much tougher. I think it's just an appalling Australian tragedy. It's terrible," Mr Howard said.

Health Minister Tony Abbott also described Ms Oliver's passing as tragic and expressed his sadness for her parents.

"I think as a result of what she (has) said and done we will bring a better system of regulation to these solariums, and I think young people will get the message - don't overdo it."

In a statement released this morning, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre announced that a fund would be established in Ms Oliver's name.

"The Clare Oliver Melanoma Fund has been established to honour the courage and bravery of Clare Oliver. One hundred per cent of proceeds from the fund will be directed to Melanoma research, focusing on research collaborations between leading melanoma research and treatment centres.''

Ms Oliver passed away in the company of her family and friends.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/ ... 55381.html

20 sessions...

it's interesting to compare the difference between the tanning industry's tactics. following the campaign of clare oliver, the industry has moved to advertising showing how responsible they are, and the government is working on stricter standards. completely different from the US industry trying to fool the public.

That screams correlation, not causation. Clearly tanning beds are not a good idea for anyone... but cancer after 20 sessions? I don't buy it as the cause of this tragedy. My guess is that she had a strong genetic disposition to getting skin cancer and the tanning beds combined with other behaviors sped things up.

There's stupid, there's idiotic, then there's this chick.

'I've had skin cancer... but I won't stop using sunbeds,'
Addicted girl's defiant vow

By Rebecca Camber
Last updated at 12:36 AM on 09th September 2008

Zara Hovelsas: 'I just can't stop'

At 15 Zara Hovelsas started using sunbeds every day. Now 27, you would think she should know better. Especially as she has been diagnosed with skin cancer.

But Miss Hovelsas insists she can't help herself. Six months after having her cancerous moles removed, she is back on a sunbed once a week - despite doctors warning it could result in the cancer returning.

She acknowledges she is risking her life but says she can't bear to be pale.

'People will probably think I'm silly to risk my life for a tan but I can't help myself,' she said.

'I'm frightened the cancer will return but I tell myself I'll be OK if I just tan once in a while and keep checking out my moles.

'That way, if it comes back I can catch it in time. Fingers crossed, anyway.'

Miss Hovelsas, of Kilburn, North London, works as a gemologist, evaluating gemstones.

Evaluating her chances of getting cancer must have been a rather more simple matter. A grandfather died of the disease and her mother recently battled skin cancer as well.

She started her tanning habit in earnest at 15. After admiring comments from friends, she was soon visiting salons five times a week. On her 18th birthday she asked her parents for her own sunbed.

Her mother June, 49, a retired nurse, warned her not to use it more than twice a week. Instead she was on it twice a day.

'I became addicted,' she told Closer magazine.

'I never thought about the consequences. Even though I had heard about the dangers, I didn't take them seriously.'

Then three years ago her mother had two cancerous moles removed from her back and leg.

'I was devastated when mum developed cancer,' Miss Hovelsas said. 'But it didn't stop me from tanning. I presumed it was because she has fair skin and I thought I'd be fine because my skin is naturally darker.

'I told myself it wasn't going to happen to me.'

It was in November last year that Miss Hovelsas noticed a dark spot on her left thigh.


Eventually she made an appointment at The Mole Clinic in London where she was told it was probably cancerous.

'I was so scared, I couldn't stop crying. I was cursing myself and just thought "You stupid girl, you only have yourself to blame".

'If I'd left it, the cancer would have spread and killed me.

'Luckily it was caught in time, so I didn't need chemotherapy.

'The doctor confirmed that the cancer was aggravated by sunbathing and using sunbeds and added there was strong chance it could return. I swore I'd never use a sunbed again.'

For a few months after her operation in January to remove the cancerous mole on her thigh and two less dangerous ones on her back, Miss Hovelsas tried fake tanning. But she gave up when friends commented that she was not as brown as usual.

She began using sunbeds again three months ago after a holiday in France.

'It felt so amazing to be brown again,' she said. 'I couldn't bear the thought of losing my colour, so I booked myself a sunbed session, I felt really guilty.

'I know it might kill me in the end, but I just can't stop.'

FACTFILE

-Those who start using sunbeds under 35 increase their risk of the most aggressive form of skin cancer by 75 per cent.

-1,800 people aged 15-34 die of skin cancer every year. It is the most common form of cancer for this age group.

-Men most commonly develop cancerous growths on the chest or back. For women it is on the legs.

-Around three million Britons use sunbeds. The UV light damages the body's cells causing a pigment called melanin to rush to the surface. This darkens (or tans) the skin.

Finally some truth.

It was obvious that the scientists were biased and these members of the Indoor Tanning Association are totally objective and have no ulterior motives.

I used to work at a gym and I am still amazed at the culture that surrounds tanning. People would drive 30 miles to get around the gym rules and tan twice in one day at two different locations. They would get pissed if you pointed out that they had already tanned enough for one day too. Worst job ever.

You know what else is awesome? Looking like you're fifty at age twenty-seven.

Racism ftw!! White people should feel pride for their paleness, I surely do and Im always trying to avoid the sun.

I found an artists drawing of what she'll look like in 10yrs with her current tanning habits

Spoiler: show

Well, there are white people and then there are vampires.

I work outside a couple of hours a day, and I understand that as little as half an hour is sufficient for vitamin D synthesis, so I think I'm good on that front.