A base tan is the practice of tanning your skin before long-term sun exposure. However, dermatologists caution that there is no safe level of tanning or base tanning.
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Casey Gallagher, MD, is a dermatologist and clinical professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Colorado Denver. Summer's fast approaching, and some people still believe getting a "base tan" offers protection from sunburn. Dermatologists say not so fast—in fact, the idea of a base tan might be one of the most common myths in skin care.Base tanning is the idea that a light tan can help protect your skin from sunburn later on.The truth? A base tan is still a tan, and there's no such thing as a safe tan. The change in your skin color is simply a sign of sun damage, which can increase your risk of skin cancer.Although an existing tan provides sun protection, the benefits are minimal."The reality is that a tan confers only an approximate sun protection factor of 2 to 4 for your skin,"This sun protection factor is far too low to protect your skin from sunburn and is well below SPF 30, the minimum SPF recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology."There are actually no dermatologic benefits in getting a base tan," said Vanchinathan, but there are quite a few risks.Tanning is a sign of skin damage—more specifically, the ultraviolet radiation your skin cells are exposed to during tanning damages their DNA. "Skin damage starts with your very first tan," said Houshmand. "Each time you tan, the damage builds up, creating more genetic mutations and greater risk." Damage to your skin cells' DNA can cause them to grow abnormally, potentially leading to skin cancer. Tanning beds, commonly used for base tanning, are especially dangerous.Premature aging from sun exposure, also known as "photoaging," happens when UV rays break down the collagen and elastin in your skin. According to Vanchinathan, accelerated skin aging can look like wrinkles, brown spots, and uneven skin tone. The FDA says premature skin aging is a long-term side effect of sun exposure, which means it could show up years after you've spent time tanning .Overexposure to UV rays may suppress your immune system, which can reduce the effects of vaccinations, cause reactions to medications, and even increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Although sun exposure is one way to get vitamin D, an immune-boosting vitamin, it's not the only way to get your daily dose. "Tanning and sun exposure are not ideal ways to get Vitamin D," said Vanchinathan. "Dermatologists recommend incorporating vitamin D-fortified foods and beverages into your diets to get vitamin D." Supplements are another easy way to get more of the nutrient.There's no such thing as a safe tan—base tans included. If you want to safely enjoy the sun without risking a painful burn, future skin cancer, or premature aging, use sunscreen daily, wear protective clothing, avoid peak hours when necessary, and skip the tanning beds.The effect of tomato and lycopene on clinical characteristics and molecular markers of UV-induced skin deterioration: A systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention trialsDo Charcoal Face Masks Work and Are They Safe?
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