Стр. 61 - Bite Autumn 2012
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Bevis Man, Communications Manager
at the British Skin Foundation said, “People
wrongly associate having a tan with being
healthy. The truth is that there is no such
thing as a safe suntan; in fact the skin getting
darker is actually a sign that your skin is
already damaged. The dark pigment which
gives the skin its natural colour is called
melanin which is made in the skin by cells
called melanocytes.After our skin is exposed
to sunlight, the melanocytes make more
melanin to try to absorb UV radiation,
and so the skin becomes darker, giving that
‘
tanned look’.” Bevis particularly warned
against the use of sunbeds as many tanning
salons produce high levels of ultra violet
radiation in their beds.“Using sunbeds is not
something the British Skin Foundation would
recommend anyone doing.”
However, it is not just the UV ray
exposure from the sun and tanning beds
that tanorexics are addicted to. With
developments in medical science and drug
production, an injectable tanning drug has
become popular amongst tan fanatics across
the globe. Melanotan II, also known as the
‘
Barbie drug’, was primarily marketed as a
safe tanning agent and preventative therapy
for skin cancer available for sale over the
internet. Despite this, the drug, which
produces a synthetic hormone by increasing
the levels of melanin in the skin, has never
been licensed in Britain or any other country
because it has not been properly tested.
With potentially dangerous long term side
effects, medical professionals are wary of the
drug because it activates the melanocyte
cells in the skin that become cancerous in
malignant melanoma. In the short term, the
side effects of Melanotan II are numerous
and include depression, high blood pressure
and panic attacks.
In spite of the terrifying facts, many
tanorexics are un-phased and continue
to feed their addiction. Dermatologists
believe tanorexia to be on the same level as
other addiction disorders, such as anorexia
nervosa because suffers often have a
distorted perception of reality when looking
at themselves in the mirror. It has been
proven that the UV light you are exposed
to when tanning can cause the brain to
produce pleasure-inducing endorphins and it
is this opioid release that tanorexics become
addicted to. Ironically, many addicts believe
that tanning gives them a youthful glow but
the harsh reality of sun damage can be seen
in the leathery skin of Patricia Krentcil. Bevis
Man of the British Skin Foundation said,
“
Over exposure to UVA radiation has been
proven in countless studies to accelerate the
skin ageing process.”
That being said all addictions can be
broken, so here is our advice on how to stay
safe and enjoy the sun. Firstly, it is important
to protect your skin on a daily basis, no
matter what the weather is like. Most of us
are fantastic at applying sunscreen when we
are abroad but UVA rays can, in fact, affect
your skin during all the seasons.
Every day our skin is in a constant battle
with the surrounding world, especially the
unseen power of the sun’s rays.Though UVB
rays only burn the top layer of our skin, the
sun’s ever present UVA rays have a longer
wavelength and can penetrate deeper into
the skin. Many people do not realise the
sheer power of the sun.These UVA rays can
even penetrate through glass and exposure
does not only increase our chance of skin
disease but also degrades the collagen in our
skin, leading to wrinkles.
This is why it is important to incorporate
sun protection into our daily skin care regime,
alongside face wash and moisturisers.It is also
essential to re-apply sunscreen throughout
the day as it will become ineffective with
sweating and general contact. Most people
do not put on sunscreen as thickly or
thoroughly as necessary. The British Skin
Foundation advises that a minimum of at
least six full teaspoons needs to be used in
order to cover the body of an average adult.
Secondly it is important to find the right
sunscreen for you. Bevis Man at the British
Skin Foundation stressed the significance of
knowing your skin type. “This is absolutely
essential and will help you determine what
level of protection you need in the sun. Skin
types range from type 1 (those who have
fair skin that never tans and burns easily),
through to type 6 (black and dark Asian
skin).Those with type 1 skin should be using
high protection sunscreen, and should be
especially careful to protect their skin with
clothing and shade as they are at the highest
risk of sunburn, and, subsequently, skin
cancer.” Moreover, if you want full protection
from the ageing power of UVA rays you
will need to check the UVA star rating on
bottles of sunscreen in addition to the factor,
with five stars being the highest level of
protection.
Thirdly, it is crucial to protect your skin
with clothing also. Even in the hottest of
summer months a chic kaftan or summer
hat can make a significant difference. Wide-
brimmed hats are particularly useful as they
cover both the ears and the back of the
neck, two places that are frequently missed
when applying sun cream. The British Skin
Foundation also recommends spending
time in the shade, particularly between the
hours of 11am to 3pm, when the sun is at
its strongest.
As the largest and only visible organ in
our body, our skin truly defines us. Before
booking that next sunbed appointment
or lathering baby oil onto your skin at
the beach, consider what you are actually
doing to your body.When you achieve that
bronzed glow think of each wrinkle that
the UVA light has etched on your skin and
the damage that has been done under the
surface. Bevis described the unseen damage
of sun exposure: “Developing skin cancer is
very much like a bottle that is slowly filled
up every time you over-expose yourself to
the sun, or use a sunbed. Eventually, over
time, this will fill up and that’s when the risk
of developing a melanoma is at its highest.”
Though around 2000 people die from the
disease every year in the UK, in most cases
this is due to malignant melanoma which
is largely preventable. With the correct
knowledge of care and protection in place,
skin disease can be prevented. It is just a
case of using this information to convince
tanorexics that faking it could save their life.
Make-Up: Elaine Burns - The Academy of
Make-Up
Location: David Lloyd Club Outdoor Pool,
Anniesland Glasgow
Swimwear: LillyWiggler Couture
