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Medical Edge Newspaper Column from Mayo Clinic

BE SUN SMART — THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A SAFE TAN

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Is it a good idea to go to a tanning salon to get a “base tan” before going on a tropical vacation? — Bismarck, N.D.

ANSWER: No.
There really is no such thing as a safe tan. No one wants a sunburn, of course. But a suntan, despite its glamorous connotations, also signals damage to the skin from ultraviolet light — the invisible but intense rays of the sun and tanning beds. You can see such changes right away, but other harmful effects — such as wrinkling, dryness and age spots (photoaging) — appear later and worsen over time, making you look older. With repeated exposure, your skin damage may even progress into cancerous tumors.

Two wavelengths of UV radiation — ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) — interact with the skin. UVA penetrates more deeply, promotes photoaging and can alter your skin’s immune system, thus contributing to the development of skin cancers such as melanomas. UVA is the predominant wavelength of light emitted in artificial-tanning salons. UVB causes sunburn and plays a significant role in skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma).

Instead of acquiring a base tan, doubtless a precursor to a darker and deeper tan, increase your photoprotection:

Reduce the time you spend outdoors during the sun’s high-intensity hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). There is a reason why people who live in tropical regions have traditionally taken siestas during that time of day.

Be sure to bring along sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB. Use a product that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, apply enough of it (at least an ounce) and reapply the sunscreen every two hours when active outdoors — and right after heavy sweating or being in water.

Cover your skin with light and loose clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes (which can sunburn too). And seek shade, especially during the peak hours of sun exposure.

But you don’t need to hide indoors. People visit tropical places to enjoy the lush outdoors. Just be smart about your sun exposure and take precautions to keep your skin healthy.

— Suzanne M. Connolly, M.D., Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Additional Resources:
Suntans
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More Information on Tanning

READERS: Mayo Clinic Proceedings reports that bariatric surgery is a safe option for treating obese patients who have coronary artery disease.

The findings are important because coronary artery disease patients can see a significant benefit with a successful procedure. The resulting weight loss is also followed by an improvement in blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and sleep apnea, all factors linked to coronary artery disease.

“In essence, obese patients with coronary artery disease might be those who need this surgery the most, but get it the least,” says Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., Mayo Clinic cardiologist and lead author of the study.

The analysis included 52 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent bariatric surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester between March 1995 and January 2002. The effects on body weight and other cardiovascular risk factors were analyzed after surgery. After an average follow-up of 2.5 years with patients, the researchers found significant decreases in weight, body mass index and blood pressure.

Additional Resources:
Bariatric Surgery
Appointment Information
More Information on Bariatric Surgery

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Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. To e-mail a question, go to www.mayoclinic.org, or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.