As skin cancer rates continue to increase, we’re repeatedly hearing warnings about the danger of harmful UV rays. People have been told to avoid long periods in the sun and to skip out on tanning beds, and sunless tanning options like lotions and creams have been proposed in their stead. But is sunless tanning really a safe alternative for getting that bronzed look? Researchers at the University of Minnesota recently set out to answer that question.
For their study, researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School sought to determine if sunless tanning products, like sprays, ointments, creams and lotions really deliver on the promise that they can reduce skin cancer likelihood. What they found was that while their claim may be correct by the letter of the law, they don’t really have much of an impact on skin cancer likelihood.
Sunless Tanning and Tanning Behaviors
What we mean by the above statement is that in and of itself, using sunless tanners in lieu of other tanning options like booths or UV-ray exposure would result in fewer developments of skin cancer. The problem, however, is that individuals who use these products are not any more likely than the average person to avoid risky tanning behaviors. In other words, a person who uses sunless tanners isn’t likely doing it to avoid potentially harmful tanning options, they are doing it in addition to risky tanning behaviors.
“For the most part, adults who use sunless tanning products continue to engage in risky tanning behaviors,” said Dr. Matthew Mansh, resident at the university’s Department of Dermatology and leader of the study.
In fact, use of sunless tanning options may point to a greater risk of eventual skin cancer diagnosis, as these individuals were more likely than the general public to use tanning beds, report a recent sunburn or avoid protective clothing when exposed to the sun for long periods.
“Most evidence supports that sunless tanning products are safe to use and do not cause skin cancer. However, these products can only be effective at reducing skin cancer rates if they are able to help people disengage in risky behaviors, such as indoor tanning or outdoor sunbathing,” said Mansh. “Our study casts doubt on whether that assumption is true and suggests that sunless tanning products could inadvertently reinforce desires to achieve tanned skinned.”
Putting The Study Results To Use
So if you use sunless tanning options, be sure that you are using them in place of riskier tanning options, not in addition. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and although we are getting better at catching the condition early and treating the growth, we need to be cognizant of the activities that put our skin at risk.
Aside from making smart choices when it comes to achieving a bronzer look, make sure you are conducting regular skin checks to look for the presence of new growths, and bring these to the attention of your primary care physician or a skin cancer specialist like Dr. Koeplin. As we alluded to above, the earlier the cancer is detected and treated, the higher the likelihood that treatment will be successful. Sunless tanners are a great way to help you achieve the desired look without putting your skin at risk, so long as you avoid other risky tanning techniques. To talk to Dr. Koeplin about how you can protect your skin, or about a potentially concerning growth, reach out to his clinic today.
