Can I Go Tanning With Diabetes

Article by Kacey C. Hall

Diabetes and Tanning
If you are undergoing treatment for lupus or diabetes or are
susceptible to cold sores, be aware that these conditions can
be aggravated through exposure to ultraviolet radiation from
tanning devices, sunlamps, or natural sunlight. In addition,
your skin may be more sensitive to artificial light or sunlight
if you use certain medications, for example, antihistamines,
tranquilizers or birth control pills. Your tanning salon may
keep a file with information on your medical history,
medications, and treatments. Make sure you update it as
necessary.

Protecting Yourself
Limit your exposure to avoid sunburn. If you tan with a device,
ask whether the manufacturer or the salon staff recommend
exposure limits for your skin type. Set a timer on the tanning
device that automatically shuts off the lights or somehow
signals that you’ve reached your exposure time. Remember that
exposure time affects burning and that your age at the time of
exposure is important relative to burning.

Knowing your Tanning Lotion
Some suntanning products don't contain sunscreen. It only takes
a few bad sunburns to raise the risk of skin cancer, and skin
damage builds up over years even when no burning occurs. This
is why sunscreen, which blocks UVA and UVB, is recommended. The
FDA has expressed concern about suntanning products without
sunscreen, and encourages consumers to check the labels for SPF
protection.

Sunscreen is regulated by the FDA as an OTC drug. Look for
products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more. The
higher the number, the better the protection. Sunscreen should
be liberally applied to skin 30 minutes before going out in the
sun, and then every two hours after that.

Tanning Salons
It's true that most sun lamps emit mainly UVA radiation, and
that these so­called "tanning rays" are less likely to cause a
sunburn than UVB radiation from sunlight. But, contrary to the
claims of some tanning parlors, that doesn't make them safe.
UVA rays have a suspected link to malignant melanoma, and, like
UVB rays, they also may be linked to immune system damage.

Tanning Safely
We urge you to find out more about self tanning. You can self
tan with a Sunless tanning lotion. Sunless tanning lotion is a
tanning lotion that gives you that great tan without the
dangers of UVA and UVB! Find out more about Self Tanning!


About The Author: Self-tanning products, also called
''sunless'' tanning lotions, contain dihydroxyacetone. Find out
about Self Tanning at http://SelfTanning.ewhy.info.