What summer look is complete without your favorite floppy hat and great sunglasses? Paired with a little sunscreen, your favorite accessories will keep your skin healthy this summer! Learn how to stay safe in the shade with Solstice Sol's interview with one of California's top dermatologists.
What A Dermatologist Wants You to Know About Sun Safety
Dr. Caren Campbell is a board-certified dermatologist in the California Bay Area. Dr. Campbell works to help her patients achieve their skin health goals and bolster their self-confidence with a simple, achievable skincare routine.
Now, you can learn from Dr. Campbell's advice on how to keep your skin healthy this summer.
Why is it so important for people to avoid tanning beds?
Dr. Campbell explains, "Tanning beds increase your risk of skin cancer. Melanoma is the most concerning form of skin cancer as it's the most likely to cause death.
Squamous cells and basal cells are also associated with tanning bed use but these are less likely to result in death. They can however cause significant disability as they can result in bleeding wounds and scars from surgeries required for treatment."
The research on the dangers of tanning beds is startling. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that indoor tanning could be behind more than 400,000 cases of skin cancer in the United States every year.
What suggestions would you give to people looking to tan safely?
There is no way to tan safely with UV radiation from the sun or a tanning bed.
Dr. Campbell elaborates, "A tan represents melanocytes (your pigment producing cells) that start producing more melanin to protect themselves. This increases your chances of melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Any tan represents too much sun exposure. It's your cells literally making little melanin or pigment umbrellas to protect their important material (DNA in the nucleus). The UV rays cause DNA to change and can result in cancers - melanoma, squamous and basal cell are the most common."
What skincare tips do you have for people looking to preserve the health of their skin?
Dr. Campbell recommends fundamental sun safety tips such as:
- Wearing daily sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher
- Wearing broad-brimmed hats to shade your face, neck, and ears
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Sitting in the shade when you're outside
What ingredients should people look for in a sunless tanner?
According to Dr. Campbell, "DHA (dihydroxyacetone ) is the most common ingredient in sunless tanners and the only FDA-approved option. It is a sugar that reacts with the top layer of skin to cause darkening, aka tanning, of the skin. Moisturizers that contain glycerin or hyaluronic acid would be ideal to help hydrate the skin as well."
Fun fact: Solstice Sol's Sunless Tanner contains organic dihydroxyacetone, as well as glycerin for added hydrating power.
Are there any ingredients people should avoid in their sunless tanner, moisturizer, or sunscreen products, and why?
"Contact dermatitis aka allergy to the sunless tanner is more likely if the tanner contains fragrance, preservatives, or other ingredients that are common contact allergens."
She continues, "the preservatives methylisothiazolinone (MI) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) are the two ingredients to most avoid."
Making these sun safety tips part of your daily skincare routine can help prevent premature aging and the deadly cancers that can come from sun exposure. You can learn more about Dr. Campbell on her website, and follow her on Instagram for more great skin care tips!
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