tanning
Does anybody know whether it's true that sitting under a tanning bed gives you the same health benefits as being in the sun? I know it gives you the same health detriments (cancer, wrinkly skin etc). But does it give you Vitamin D or whatever is good for you about being in the sun?
The reason I ask is because I HATE the winter. I hate that it's dark at 4:30, and that even when the sun is up it's covered by clouds. And even when it's not covered by clouds, I'm covered up by 30 layers of clothing. And even when I'm not covered by clothing, I'm hiding inside a heated building. Basically, I hate that I have to go six months without seeing the sun. Maybe I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. This wikipedia article suggests "light therapy" works. But does that include tanning booths?
It'd be cool if it did, because I like the way I look with a tan, and it'd be nice to have an excuse to go get one.
The reason I ask is because I HATE the winter. I hate that it's dark at 4:30, and that even when the sun is up it's covered by clouds. And even when it's not covered by clouds, I'm covered up by 30 layers of clothing. And even when I'm not covered by clothing, I'm hiding inside a heated building. Basically, I hate that I have to go six months without seeing the sun. Maybe I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. This wikipedia article suggests "light therapy" works. But does that include tanning booths?
It'd be cool if it did, because I like the way I look with a tan, and it'd be nice to have an excuse to go get one.
posted by Matt at 7:05 AM
23 Comments:
Promise me you won't overcook the boys. I saw this pic about a nude run in Australia. They had sunblock on their nose, shoulders and cock. I'd hate to be the guy who forgot his sun block
Yes, the UV in a tanning bed creates vitamin D. UV isnt' so great for you. You should invest in a full spectrum lamp - it has an effect on the gland in your neck that detects daylight, and can have a positive psychological effect. Have fun at H-Y.
Hey Matt,
I don't think going to a tanning salon/booth/bed will give you the same effect as a full spectrum lamp (as someone mentioned above). If anything you'll have a perfect tan, but you may be going about it all wrong. Besides...you ever been in one of those things? It's quite scary and you feel like it's going to roast you alive (I shit you not!)!!! Have you seen Final Destination 3?! I went in there with the image from that movie and man...it was scary...but obviously I made it out alive! :D
fI
Maybe it's a placebo effect or whatever, but I sure know it helps for me. I hate the winter the same way and for the same reasons as you do. Since last year, I go to the tanning bed in winter, and for me that makes it a lot easier to get through the winter... I think you should give it a try or two.
-- michael
I don't know...I think it's obvious when someone goes underneath the electric rays rather than the real thing. They seem orange rather than tan. 2 distinct and rather opposing colors. Personally, I'm into the white skin. It seems healthier to me though. But then again, that's just me. Maybe I'm just trying to protect my tatoo from fading. I hear that is a side effect of tanning. It's all a matter of choice: one vanity for another.
nate (http://hesaidhedid.blogspot.com)
My parents have been running tanning booths/beds since I was a kid and have done a lot of research on it. It's a proven medical fact that the UV Rays from a tanning bed give you the same results as being in real sunlight INCLUDING acting as a natural anti-depressant and creating Vitamin D. Small doses of tanning are great for you, especially in the winter when we don't get access to the natural light from the sun. You should always invest well in a good (INDOOR) tanning lotion that will help protect your skin from the bad UVB rays while allow the good UVA rays to come in and do their job.
Again.. the most important aspect here is CONTROL. Burning is really bad regradless of if it is indoors or outdoors!
Best of luck!
J Blake
If I were you I'd do light therapy for the mood, and use one of those spray tans instead. I hear they look just as good as real tans, but without the health risks. I've heard a lot of bad things about UV tanning booths, but since I don't really know I won't mention them here.
Being depressed in the gray days of winter is part of the Boston zeitgeist. Live it. Love it. Embrace it.
I agree with some of the above comments, I too suffer from lack of sunlight in the winter and it TOTALLY DOES affect my moods. I also love a great tan, but I get worried about cancer, wrinkles, etc. If you are determined to go for the deperssion reducing benefits, I say don't go very often, maybe once a week. That way you won't be damaging your skin nearly as much. However, you might also try adding St. Johns Wort, Vitamin B and D supplemts. Those will also help fight depression in all forms, be it lack of sunlight, hormonal, or anything.
Matt, thats why you should move to Australia and in particular Queensland and on the Sunshine Coast as it is sunny all year round and you can have that tanned body all year round.....i'd love for you to come to Australia and have a holiday here and experience the great atmosphere in our country....happy for you to give me a email on it....tattonp@maroochy.qld.gov.au
Cheers
Paul
"...is part of the Boston zeitgeist" I love that!
I don't tan, I just burn, and I don't really have an interest in upping my freckle count while risking skin cancer. And maybe I am a little brain-washed into loving that tanned, A&F kind of look... but I resist it, and would never endorse tanning- if only because it's so mainstream and conformist. (haha, and that's just a rationalization! I can't tan, therefore tanning is bad lol)
I, for one, love the winter. I love the cold, and the dark. Makes me feel safe or something. And how warm it is inside, and the snow, and skiing, and sitting down with a friend and a cup of hot chocolate, and all those articles of clothing that only really go with a cooler climate. I love it all. Oh, summer's nice too... but winter hasn't even started yet. It takes me a few months to get sick of a season.
Hope you don't have SAD, Matt :)
oh, and if you DO have SAD, I highly doubt it will help any. You would have to get a tan like every day. People undergoing light therapy have to do it a few minutes a day (I believe) and if you were trying to use the tanning thing to relieve the SAD you would have to do it very often. Once again, if you want a tan just get a spray tan. It's the most sensible thing to do
I am kinda fair and pale so a little tanning in the winter gives me a little color and I feel better about myself. I believe that tanning beds used is moderation, building a base before going to the beach, can help prevent burning when you finally get there. It works for me. (The wrinkled and crinkled women who run my salon are good reason to keep the tanning moderate!!)
I spent six years in Ithaca where the weather is so often overcast and gloomy. But on a beautiful spring/summer day when the sun comes out, it's a whole new world to behold and you feel soooo gooood. I, too, really enjoy being outdoors in the winter and snuggling near a fireplace afterward.
I am originally from Ohio and we never seem to have sun, I tanned all throughout highschool in moderation. I have and still suffer from depression and it always uplifted me. Now I live in Florida and have never been happier in my life. Of course this is not scientific, but take it as it is.
UV lamps are just as bad as sunlight, and there's no such thing as a "base tan" to prevent burning. Exposure is exposure. Invest in tanning lotion (smooth skin bonus!), a decent light bulb and vitamin D supplements. Better living through chemistry, not easy-bake ovens. (The studies I've read are about 50/50 on tanning beds. But UV light is UV light no matter the source.)
There is no benefit from exposure to UV, either natural or artificial, that outweighs the risks it poses to your DNA. Vitamin D production from sunlight accounts for less than 3% of your natural requirements. Most of that is met by proper diets in nuts, vegetables, and in dairy fortified with such.
Take up skiing or snowboarding and by next year you'll be counting the days until winter.
Eh Guess im used to winter, I like having seasons, best was Blizzard of 96, Besides having a palm tree for a xmas tree is just wrong.
If you're going to go for tanning, it's probably better not to go cheap. Go for a good bed with high quality rays that doesn't require much time frying your skin and internal organs. (Ever seen Final Destination 3?)
While I can appreciate living in the gloom (wet West Coaster here), tanning of any kind will make your skin age faster. Not just wrinkles, either mind you...but dark spots, rough skin texture, maybe even skin cancer, etc. Me, I'm getting old enough fast enough, thank you. For SAD, they have interior lights that help. Just say no to tanning!
I live in London and trust me when I say that you do feel better when you use one in the winter and you must use them with caution. As long as you are sensible and DONT leap into it for any more than 10 minutes you will be fine and feel better......
Here is some information on Bio-Brite Light Visors
These are baseball-cap-sized devices that contain a bright, full-spectrum light in the visor. It's a small light, but since it's right in front of your eyes, it equals the effect of a much bigger light several feet away. (And no, it doesn't hurt your eyes.)
It costs $200-300 (you might get it for less if you wait till summer clearance sales), but it's kept me sane for the last 3 winters.
And no risk of skin cancer or premature aging.
First of all, anyone who says an average person could get all their D from their diet is either high, or drinking several gallons of milk each and every day.
On to the tanning thing...
All things in moderation is a good rule. Look for a salon with a well trained staff that can push you in the right direction. You can use a relatively low percentage of UVB, decreasing your chances of skin damage, if you goal is only enhancing your vitamin D production.
If you actually want to tan, a higher percentage of UVB is in order, in either case UVA poses significantly smaller risk.
As a tanning salon owner, we have to be careful in promoting a positive tanning experience. You can tan simply to enjoy the experience, or you can tan to gain darker skin (duh!), but either way, start out with short sessions. You can gradually lengthen your exposure, if you desire darker skin, or stick with the shorter session to enjoy the boost to your immunity, and the natural sense of well being that comes from exposure to sunlight.
Don't let any of the hyper ninnies scare you away from UV exposure. The sun is the source of all life on this planet, without its rays we would not exist. The people who continue to condemn tanning simply fail to realize that, although it isn't right for everyone, it isn't wrong for everyone either.
Last but not least, if the salon you go to does not require you to fill out the standard skin type survey, run...do not walk...to another salon. Any salon that is interested in the care of your skin is going to use your skin type to tailor a program for you...
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