Spring Break
Everyone's free to wear sunscreen
Dermatologist encourages using common sense in the sun, discourages use of tanning beds
Sara Norgon
Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: Money/Health
"The lotions with bronzers react with the pigment in the skin, which rises to the top when you tan and that's why you get a darker color," she said.
Eskritt said to be careful of photodermatitus, or photo allergy. He also said someone taking photosensitive medications, such as Naprosin, which is found in Aleve, should not tan in tanning beds.
Linduska said The Tannery posts a medication list, and has new clients fill out a sheet to make sure they don't have possible health risks. She also stressed the importance of eye protection when tanning.
"Eyewear is important because you can get really bad infections in your eyes (without it)," she said.
One way to get that glow without battling harsh rays is by getting an air-brush or spray-on tan, which darkens the skin's pigment and lasts about 10 days.
Eskritt said there aren't any medical side effects of spray-on tans unless one has an allergy to the dye, but spray-ons can make the skin look orange.
Housner said she got an air-brush tan once but didn't like it.
"After a couple days it would fade off in different parts and look patchy - almost like I was dirty," she said.
Eskritt said the best way to get a natural tan is to spend 10 to 20 minutes in the sun and then apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
SPF - or sun protective factor - he explained, refers to the amount of time someone can stay out in the sun without getting burnt.
For example, he said, if someone normally would get burnt after five minutes of exposure to the sun and use a lotion with an SPF of 15, that person could stay outside 15 times that - or an hour and 15 minutes - before getting a sunburn.
"It's important to re-apply it every three to four hours," Eskritt said, adding if someone plans on being in the water, he or she should apply a waterproof or water resistant lotion 20 minutes before going in the water.
Eskritt also said people with lighter skin should use a lotion with a higher SPF when spending time outside.
"What you have to do is use common sense," he said.
Eskritt said to be careful of photodermatitus, or photo allergy. He also said someone taking photosensitive medications, such as Naprosin, which is found in Aleve, should not tan in tanning beds.
Linduska said The Tannery posts a medication list, and has new clients fill out a sheet to make sure they don't have possible health risks. She also stressed the importance of eye protection when tanning.
"Eyewear is important because you can get really bad infections in your eyes (without it)," she said.
One way to get that glow without battling harsh rays is by getting an air-brush or spray-on tan, which darkens the skin's pigment and lasts about 10 days.
Eskritt said there aren't any medical side effects of spray-on tans unless one has an allergy to the dye, but spray-ons can make the skin look orange.
Housner said she got an air-brush tan once but didn't like it.
"After a couple days it would fade off in different parts and look patchy - almost like I was dirty," she said.
Eskritt said the best way to get a natural tan is to spend 10 to 20 minutes in the sun and then apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
SPF - or sun protective factor - he explained, refers to the amount of time someone can stay out in the sun without getting burnt.
For example, he said, if someone normally would get burnt after five minutes of exposure to the sun and use a lotion with an SPF of 15, that person could stay outside 15 times that - or an hour and 15 minutes - before getting a sunburn.
"It's important to re-apply it every three to four hours," Eskritt said, adding if someone plans on being in the water, he or she should apply a waterproof or water resistant lotion 20 minutes before going in the water.
Eskritt also said people with lighter skin should use a lotion with a higher SPF when spending time outside.
"What you have to do is use common sense," he said.
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