Sun Exposure and Sunscreen

When outside in the sunlight, always use a sunscreen to protect your skin.  For more information on sunscreens and the associated risks of exposure to sunlight:

Playing it Safe in the Sun (pdf)

Sun – The Burning Facts (EPA)

Tanning indoors damages your skin.  Indoor tanning devices that use sunlamps such as tanning beds and booths,  emit ultraviolet (UV) rays. There are two types of UV rays – UVA and UVB.  Both penetrate the skin causing damage to the skin. Tanning salons use lamps that emit both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Connecticut requires written permission from a parent or guardian for a person under age 16 to use a tanning facility. More details can be found at:

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/rpt/2009-R-0307.htm

Tanning occurs when the skin produces additional pigment (coloring) to protect itself against burn from ultraviolet rays. Overexposure to these rays can cause eye injury, premature wrinkling of the skin, and light induced skin rashes, and can increase your chances of developing skin cancer.

The following links provide some of the latest information on the health risks associated with indoor tanning. It is especially important for adolescents to be aware of these risks since they may be at greater risk for damage and disease associated with overexposure to UV radiation.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Indoor Tanning: The Risks of Ultraviolet Rays

American Academy of Dermatology: Risks of indoor tanning

Tanning Beds Triple Melanoma Risk: WebMD

Protection from UV Rays During Indoor Tanning

• Limit your exposure to avoid sunburn.
• Use goggles to protect your eyes.
• Consider your medical history.

For more information: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/radiation/moremdh/tanning.html