So you've got to get tan, right? Never in history has a suntan been more popular or had more impact on attractiveness. Some people have taken this tanning thing to a new extreme. Personally, I think that the popularity of having very dark tans is too extreme.

If you want to tan you can do it without your skin becoming a shriveled up piece of jerkey. Everyone looks better with a little color, it is proven. Also everyone knows what causes skin cancer; sun exposure. One severe sunburn can increase your risk of developing a cancerous melanoma by 50%, especially if you are young. If you must have that bronze look there are many ways that you can minimize the effects of ultraviolet damage to your skin. This damage includes faster aging, skin cancer and melanoma, and severe blisters and infection from sunburn.

Tanning occurs when the skin absorbs UV rays and gets damaged. Therefore, there is no real way to "safely tan" as a sun tan is the body's response to the skin being damaged. This damage tells your body to protect itself by creating melanin which in turn darkens your skin thus raising your tolerance to the sun's rays. A myth that is rampant about sun tanning is that a sunburn will turn into a suntan after it has faded. This is very incorrect, as many bad sunburns will peel and flake until you are the same color as you started out as, pale.

The 3 Ways to Tan:
Salon Tanning vs. Natural Tanning vs. Fake Tanning

Of these 3 choices, the one that is by far the best is fake tanning. In recent years, spray-on and fake tanning products have become very popular. They are quick and can create a very real looking tan the first time that you receive the treatment. The health benefits are easy to see, this form of tanning requires zero sun exposure therefore eliminating all of the adverse effects of tanning. This form of tanning can last very long with topical products designed to keep your tan glowing year round. It is also very fast as a treatment lasts less than 30 minutes and in most cases they can be cheaper than tanning at a salon.

Which one is better you ask, Sunbathing outside or going to a tanning salon?

Salon Tanning and Natural Tanning are very close. The Salon will have just about the same degree of UVA and UVB rays as the sun, it is just more intense. People use the Salon to save time and to get a nice, even tan. This can be hazardous for a few reasons. Generally people that tan in a salon environment get addicted to the process and usually get exposed to more UV rays than they should. According to the BPG which is the British Association of Dermatologists, one should not surpass 10 sets of 30-minute sessions semi-annually. 10 hours per year is used by many people in a few months of tanning regularly in a tanning salon. This does not mean that tanning outside is safer than a tanning bed, only that a person is more likely to take in more dangerous UV rays if they regularly tan in a tanning salon.

If you are planning on tanning outside or in a tanning salon, take baby steps, especially if you have a pale complexion. Also make sure that you have some type of sunscreen on, not a sun block if you are actively trying to tan. Sunscreens should not impede your tanning progress excessively but should help you from not getting a sunburn. A sunscreen with aloe should protect you from the damaging effects of UV rays while still allowing your body to produce melanin. Slowly you can build up your time being exposed to the sun without risking your skin's long term health. Also, if you are beginning a tanning regimen, try to do it when the sun's potency is low, say before 11am and after 3:30 pm.

Always wear sunglasses while tanning, in bed or sun.

This is very important to maintain long term eye health. Sun exposure to the eyes has been known to cause many health defects, such as cataracts.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dustin_Cole_Armstrong

Cancer is caused by changes (mutations) in a cell's DNA. Some of these changes may be inherited from our parents, while others may be caused by outside exposures, which are often referred to as environmental factors.

Most epidemiologists and cancer researchers agree that environmental factors contribute to cancer risk of about 80-90%.

By environmental factors they mean improper diet, lack of physical activity, usage of tobacco and alcohol, exposure to radiation (cosmic rays, radon, X Ray), infectious agents, chemicals in the air, soil and water (pollution), household and work place chemicals.

Substances and exposures that can lead to cancer are called carcinogens. These substances not necessarily change the DNA structure but rather modify the cells' metabolic rate. These modifications ultimately can lead to changes in DNA structure.

Exposure to radiation or chemicals of different sort can build overtime a sensitivity of your body towards cancer by elevating the percentage of free radicals. Free radicals are very reactive molecules, which can oxidized a high range of organic molecules from our metabolic pathways. Being oxidized, these molecules cannot be recognized by their subsequent enzymes leading to changes in metabolic reactions. As strange as it seems chemical skin care regimen can also increase the concentration of free radicals in skin and from there through the body. The first alarming skin issue that you have to face your self is skin sensitivity. The skin completely "refuses" to accept chemicals through its pores and react by redness, tingling, irritation and itchiness.

This is a moment that everybody has to say: Enough I'm going to change my lifestyle!

This starts with a proper diet plenty of vitamins and minerals from fruits and colored vegetables, especially those who are plenty of natural antioxidants (protectors against free radicals) such as: carotenes, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, flavonoids. Studies suggest that people who eat vegetables and fruits my lower their risk to different type of cancer. The same regimen has to be applied to your skin: nourishes it with natural vitamins, minerals and apply creams plenty of natural antioxidants. Sun exposure especially to UVA rays has to be minimal. Recent studies showed that UVA contribute to skin cancer formation.

Another cause of sensitive skin is due to the treatment of cancer patients. Radiation and other cancer treatments make the skin become dry and irritated, followed by rashes, itchiness and blotching. You need to use gentle formulations specially designated for sensitive skin, away of harsh chemicals. Don't use chemical preservatives with longer self life . They can not break in small compounds and subsequently eliminated. They can be deposited in your skin and poisoned it. Look for gentle formulations skin care products, which are made of a mixture of vegetable oils and organic herbs. The products will not only deep moisturize the skin but also will soothe and comfort the skin. The skin will benefit from their minerals, vitamins and natural antioxidants. As the antioxidants are easily absorbed through your skin your entire body can take advantage from them. In addition, herbal extracts contain a lot of flavonoids, which are very beneficial for cancer patients. In case of strong radiation treatment a natural wound healing cream for your skin side effects would be beneficial.

In conclusion: Sensitive skin when appears due to an improper diet, environmental factors, or cancer has to be treated with natural products free of chemicals. In this way is more likely to achieve a healthy skin free of active radicals and chemical deposits.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claudia_Budu_Ph.D.

Age spots, liver spots, sun spots or whatever they are called are very often counted to be a sign of skin cancer. People are not always even aware of what different skin marks are - moles, warfs and lentigos are often mixed up with liver spots (Melasma). I will reveal here some of the myths about skin cancer and look quickly into other skin marks also.

Skin Cancer Types

There are three types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are generated by direct DNA damage while malignant melanoma is generated by indirect DNA damage. Melanoma is the most dangerous of all skin cancer types with the mortality rate of 15-20 % and it causes ca. 6500 deaths every year in the US while the two first have the mortality rate of only 0.3%.

* Basal cell carcinoma usually looks like a raised, smooth, pearly bump on the sun-exposed skin of the head, neck or shoulders. Sometimes small blood vessels can be seen within the tumor. Crusting and bleeding in the center of the tumor frequently develops. It is often mistaken for a sore that does not heal. This form of skin cancer is the least deadly and with proper treatment can be completely eliminated with not so much as a single scar.
* Squamous cell carcinoma is commonly a red, scaling, thickened patch on sun-exposed skin. Ulceration and bleeding may occur. When SCC is not treated, it may develop into a large mass. Squamous cell is the second most common skin cancer, it is dangerous, but not nearly as dangerous as Melanoma.
* Most melanomas are brown to black looking lesions. Signs that might indicate a malignant melanoma include change in size, shape, color or elevation of a mole. Other signs are the appearance of a new mole during adulthood or new pain, itching, ulceration or bleeding.

Age Spots Are the Sign of Skin Cancer

It is a very common myth that age spots would automatically be a sign of skin cancer. That is definitely not the case. Age spots themselves are very very rarely cancerous. In fact, scientifically thinking the liver spots do not pose any medical problems (except psychological) and are not dangerous in any ways. But the same skin cells can get more damaged and get cancer later (as any other skin cells). This myth is busted.

Age Spots Cause Cancer

I have often heard that skin cancer is stated to be generated by age spots. This "fact" is said because the liver spots have been diagnosed as non-cancerous at first but then later there has been melanoma. It would be easy to say that age spots have caused this cancer but the origin of the cancer is somewhere else - it just happened to be in the same skin cells. This myth is also busted.

If You Have Age Spots Have a Higher Risk to Get Skin Cancer

This myth is true but the answer is not that straight forward. Sun spots and skin cancers can form the same way - sun's UV rays cause changes in DNA. So if you have got sun spots, you have been to sun. And if you have been to sun too much, you have a higher risk to get cancer. Also the areas with sun spots have a higher risk to get cancer as the darker areas absorbs the sun better than the lighter areas.

Other Skin Marks - Can They Be Dangerous

There are several different skin mark types, for example moles, warfs, lentigos, "Café-au-lait"-spots, Becker's melanosis, Halo Neevus... Very often other skin marks are mixed with liver spots and only professional people can tell them from each other. Some skin marks are also very similar to melanoma marks so the doctors very often recommend to remove them, just in case. Melanoma can be suspected by checking the skin marks and their changes. Also new, fast growing mole is suspicious.

Conclusion

Eventhough the age spots themselves are not dangerous, you have a higher risk of getting skin cancer if you have them. Also some other skin marks look very similar to age spots and only specialized dermatologist can tell what they exactly are. To be sure to not have a cancer, one should consult a dermatologist.




Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Van_Dun