UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, March 19, 1997
Risky rays
5A
the beauty of the "perfect tan" lures many students to artificial tanning methods such as tanning beds. These beds have their risks, but for many, the benefit of brown outweighs the risk of the rays
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one in 90, according to the American Cancer Society, and that rate is on the rise. Survival rates range from 14 to 90 percent, depending on how widespread the cancer is when it is detected.
Not all skin cancers occur later in life.
"We do diagnose and initially treat some students every year for skin cancer," says Watkins chief of staff Rock. "But because the effects of tanning are delayed, we don't see a lot of it."
Although no one goes to Rock because of wrinkled skin, premature aging of the skin is another consequence of tanning time. The damaged underlayers of the skin begin to show through as time passes, and the skin acquires wrinkles and a leathery appearance.
At the Med Center, Garrigueus has seen firsthand the effects of sun damage. What's more, he is beginning to see younger patients who want cosmetic facial surgery because of ultraviolet damage.
He says tanning beds — available at the flip of a switch — have allowed sun worshippers to tan at their own convenience.
The result is more severe and more widespread tan damage. Garrisons says.
Despite the fact that risks seem severe and evident, tanning continues to expand as an industry. The FDA and individual states have taken steps to ensure that salons are as safe as possible, instead of attempting to combat the idea altogether.
The FDA regulates the time spent in the bed, and all manufacturers put schedules on all beds.
In Kansas, salons are also regulated by the State Board of Cosmetology. Salons must post a notice in a visible spot that requires each salon to have a trained operator in the building at all times. The same notice tells patrons to wear protective eyewear and warns them that tanning may cause skin cancer or premature aging of the skin.
At The Sun Deck, 701 W. Ninth St., potential patrons must fill out a form that notes their skin type and whether they are prone to sunburns.
"People don't realize there's so much more to that than a golden tan."
Julio Francis health educator at Watkins
"If you burn outside, you're going to burn in the bed too," says Melissa Allen, Lawrence sophomore and Sun Deck employee.
Allen adds that if patrons have had a major sunburn or burn easily, the salon starts them with shorter tanning sessions.
The staff suggests a length of time for each tanner. The maximum time allowed by the manufacturers is 20 minutes. For new tanners, the staff recommends between five and 10 minutes for those who burn easily.
If they choose to go longer, we tell them it's at their own risk," Allen says. "We give short tans free, sometimes, so they know we're concerned."
"If they don't really counsel with you about your skin type, go find someplace else." Cook says.
Cook, the tanning bed retailer, says that good salons make recommendations like those at the Sun Deck.
The form at the Sun Deck also lists the Board of Cosmetology's warnings. It cautions that tanning has been proven to cause skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. Patrons sign below that statement.
Employees are also aware of the potential results of tanning.
"Any risks you're going to have from too much sun exposure, you're going to have from tanning inside." Allen says. "As long as you do it in moderation, it's okay."
Sonia Bobski, Shawnee freshman, has been tanning for about three years. She
"I've never been concerned about it," she says. "I have olive tone skin, so I don't burn easily."
says she tanned in the spring so that she would look tan when it came time to wear shorts.
She admits that she has burned in tanning beds when they have new bulbs, but she took a few days off to let the sunburn cool down before returning to the beds.
Bobski says she plans to tan for a couple more years, but she admits that she's concerned about the long-term effects.
"I'm kind of concerned about getting wrinkles," she said. "I see all these old ladies coming in there, and I wonder why they keep doing it."
What looks good?
The idea of a "healthy" tan dates back to the middle of this century. A white, creamy complexion used to be a sign of affluence. Before the 1940s, tanned skin was considered the mark of being a common laborer, and upscale people wanted to distinguish themselves by avoiding the sun.
The "healthy" tan continues to be the desired image today, so much so that manufacturers have invented ways to tan year-round without ever going outside.
Then, during the 40s, a tan became a sign of leisure time spent outdoors. The implication was that if people had time to spend outdoors, they must be healthy.
"People don't realize there's so much more to that than a golden tan," said Francis, health educator at Watkins. "Any suntanning or burn is your skin trying to protect itself."
Back at the Sun Deck, the attendant shows Bruntmeier how to work the tanning bed. Push the button on the wall behind the bed, and the computer at the front desk will shut the bed off when the time is up, she tells Bruntmeier.
"Make sure you wear the goggles," the attendant adds. "The beds close down as far as you want. You don't need to roll over."
The attendant leaves. Bruntmeier closes the tanning bed, enveloping herself in an artificially sunny world. The bed hums as the ultraviolet rays bombard her skin.
Regina Bruntmeyer, KU grad student from Mound City, Mo., fills out the required consent form at The Sun Deck tanning salon before she is able to use one of the tanning beds.
Keeping safe from skin cancer
Avoiding sun-induced skin damage
■ Spend as little time in direct sunlight as possible
■ When you must stay outside for a long period of time, cover your skin. Wear flovent hats and long-sleeved shirts.
Use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor. After swimming or sweating, reapply the sunscreen.
Avoid the use of artificial tanning beds and pills. Tanning creams do not cause UV damage. Look for a cream that contains dihydroxyacetone, the tanning agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Recognizing the early signs
Look for the following changes in the pattern of moles and freckles on your body:
Color. A mole may change from brown to black.
- Texture. A flat mole may become raised.
- Shape. The contour of a mole may change from smooth and round to rough and irregular.
- **Size.** A small mole or freckle could turn into a large one.
- **Sensation.** A mole may suddenly become sensitive to the touch.
Bleeding. Minor trauma such as a bump or scrape may cause the mole to bleed.
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