Summer is just around the corner. That means days at the beach, bathing suits, and everyone trying to get that summer glow we all desire. Many of us try to get the most out of those days we get to enjoy in the sun and often spend hours on end soaking up the rays. However, the sun’s rays, which are also known as ultraviolet radiation, are actually quite dangerous. Did you know that UV radiation is in fact a human carcinogen? That’s right. UV radiation can lead to skin cancer.

Unfortunately, most people are unaware of how dangerous the sun can be. This puts people at risk for developing sun damage on their skin as a result of too much exposure to UV radiation. This is a major risk factor for skin cancer. When we expose our skin to high amounts of UV radiation, our pituitary gland produces melanocyte-stimulating hormones.

This activates the production melanin, which is what gives us all our natural pigment (skin color) and protects our skin from the sun. Because we all have different amounts of melanin, some people (such as people with fair skin) are at a greater risk for skin cancer when exposed to the sun then others.

Some alarming tanning statistics:

• One person dies of melanoma every hour.
• More than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed every year in over two million people in the United States.
• About 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by excessive sun exposure (ultraviolet radiation).
• One blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person's risk of developing melanoma later in life.
• A person's risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns at any age.

 It’s important to educate yourself about how to stay safe during these summer months. Here are some tips to tan safely this summer:

1.    Always wear sunscreen.

Wearing sunscreen does not mean you won’t be able to get a tan. This is a common myth. Sunscreen actually allows you to spend more time in the sun because it protects your skin from being damaged by the sun. Use sunscreen daily. Not just any sunscreen, but a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher daily. Use a higher, water-resistant SPF if you plan to be outside for a long time. The amount of sunscreen someone should wear is about 2 mg per square centimeter. Apply it thirty minutes before going into the sun and re-apply every two hours.

2.    Exfoliate your skin before tanning

This will ensure the best possible tan because it removes the dead skin cells from the outermost layer of your skin. It can also help give you an even tan and get rid of any bacteria or oil from the outer layer of the skin. Less dead skin cells exposes will also help your tan last longer.

3.    Be careful not to stay in the sun for too long

Do not spend the entire day in the sun. This will almost always give you a sunburn. It’s important to know that the sun is the strongest between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Aim to tan slowly by alternating your time in the sun and out of the sun, such as every 15 minutes or so. 

4.    Wear protective accessories such as a big hat and sunglasses

Your eyes and the skin around your eyes are especially fragile when exposed to the sun. Make sure to wear a hat with a large brim that covers your eyes, ears, forehead, nose, and head.

5.    Avoid indoor tanning salons

Going indoor tanning just one time increases your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 67 percent and basal cell carcinoma by 29 percent. Also, more people develop skin cancer due to tanning than develop lung cancer due to smoking. Source: Skin Cancer Foundation, Medical Daily