Although it’s more along the line of ‘lighthearted news’, this article from the US certainly highlights some of the lesser known dangers of tanning – now, I’m not saying that spray tans will make you go on a naked rampage but……..
[Photo courtesy of www.dailytelegraph.com.au]
“While tanning oils themselves aren’t harmful to the human body, it’s what they are used for that can cause some serious problems.” – http://www.livestrong.com/article/252239-what-are-the-dangers-of-tanning-oil/#ixzz2fycKu4sl
On this 32 degree day I’m sitting in the shade on the steps along the beach at Manly, watching scores of people rubbing tanning oil onto their skin to ‘help’ them tan. Isn’t it scary that it’s exactly the same thing your mum does to the roast chicken or turkey to achieve that tough, brown skin? And indeed, tough brown skin is what you’ll get after prolonged use of tanning aids such as oils and sun beds. Aside from the serious health risks such as cancer, which I have already extensively outlined, there are some real aesthetic downsides to it too. While a tan might make you look good temporarily, the look of them barely lasts beyond Autumn, but I can guarantee the effects do:
“In addition to the risk of skin cancer, tanning excessively contributes to ageing quickly. Tans may cover cellulite and give the appearance of clear skin; however, the skin actually looks worse once the tan fades. Premature wrinkling is an enormous side of effect of tanning.” – http://www.ehow.com/about_5465473_tanning-oil-dangers.html#ixzz2fydiwA3m
With all the horrendous side effects associated with trying to achieve a natural tan, it’s any wonder why people are still resorting to such lengths. And according to recent reports, the health effects of fake tans look to be just as serious. By definition, fake tan is “[a] lotions, sprays, creams, mousses and combined moisturiser and fake tan products contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a chemical or vegetable dye that temporarily stains the skin, giving a tanned appearance. The dye interacts and binds with the dead skin cells located in the upper layer of the skin. The colour comes off when the dead skin cells flake off – approximately 1 week after application.” http://www.cancer.org.au/content/pdf/CancerControlPolicy/PositionStatements/PS-Fake_tans_August_2007.pdf
They contain a range of different chemicals like carcinogens, nano particles and DHA, some of which have been linked with contributing to serious health issues including hormone disruptions leading to birth defects, infertility and breast cancer, genetic mutation, DNA damage, and irritation of the skin and lungs. While some of these chemicals like nano particles do have some other useful functions, scientists’ lack of knowledge on the behaviour of these particles on a small scale means we should be very cautious as consumers.
Secondly, as Australia’s Cancer Council points out in its ‘Position Statement‘ for fake tan, there seems to be a misconception that fake tan acts to provide UV protection for our skin for the duration of the ‘tan’:
“Some people who use fake tans mistakenly believe that a tan will provide them with protection against UV radiation. As a result, they may not take sun protection measures, putting them at greater risk of skin cancer.” – http://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/causes-of-skin-cancer.html
While it is undeniably more beneficial (health wise) for the tan-obsessed to use any number of alternative skin products that achieve a bronzed look in a much safer way, the sheer volume of these products available indicates the real underlying societal issue – that people need to be tanned, no matter what. Indeed, the Cancer Council’s number one recommendation in relation to fake tan is:
Whether its real tan or fake tan, you’ll likely end up either with health problems and wrinkles or streaky orange legs that smell a little like urine. There are plenty of skin products available in supermarkets and at beauty stores that are designed to moisturise and enrich our natural skin, giving it a healthy glow no matter what colour. A few of my favourites include:
[Photo courtesy of steamykitchen.com]
[Photo courtesy of http://www.rent-a-home.com.au]
With temperatures set to climb in Sydney during the week, it is important that we all stay sun smart and protect our skin. But there are still heaps of ways to enjoy the outdoors and get a bit of Vitamin D! Here are some cheap, easy and awesome outdoor activities for all you sun-lovers can try that will get you out and about without seeing you all fry yourselves for that tan!
1. Go kayaking or paddle boarding: When the wind is right and the sun is bright, there really is nothing better than a morning kayak or paddle board around Sydney’s spectacular harbour. Head down to Manly Wharf to hire one out for the hour at the bargain price of $20! I promise you won’t regret getting up just that little bit earlier to be out on the water taking in the picture perfect views.
2. Dine in at Opera Bar: I don’t think anyone could argue that Sydney’s Opera Bar is one of the ultimate places for a relaxing drink and snack with undoubtedly the best view in the world. Nestled right under the Opera House itself, Opera Bar offers a range of drink and food options for prices that wont break the bank. With plenty of shaded seating available, there is no better place to settle in for an afternoon with friends or family.
http://www.operabar.com.au/
3. Pat a kangaroo at Taronga Zoo: No other animals in the world are treated to the same views on offer to the creatures at Taronga Zoo. Located on the water’s edge in Mosman, Taronga Zoo offers endless fun for adults and children alike. With daily animal shows and interactive learning, the open plan zoo is a fantastic place to stroll around on a sunny day – you can even rest your feet and take a ride on the gondola! So pop on down and get acquainted with some of the coolest animals that walk the earth!
http://taronga.org.au/animals-conservation
4. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk: An all-time favourite past time of those who love the beach and don’t mind pounding the pavement for their daily dose of outdoors and exercise. The best part is (other than it not costing a cent) is you can jump in the surf to cool off at the end – there’s plenty of gorgeous swimming spots to choose from. So pack your swimmers, trainers, hats and suncream and get on down to Bondi!
http://bonditocoogeewalk.com.au/
Did you know that being pale used to be considered far more attractive and a sign of wealth and class? Here’s a brief explanation about why this was and what caused the change towards the tan!
http://www.history.uk.com/history/drop-dead-gorgeous-part-ii-jess-dyd/
TRUE TONES: What’s wrong with being a porcelain prince or princess? Stay true to your natural skin tone and embrace those pasty jokes because after all, who wouldn’t rather be called pale than a wrinkled raisin?
[Photo curtesy of Sodahead.com]
Considering the prevalence of skin cancer and skin related diseases in our country, and the fact that they are mostly a direct result of excessive sun exposure; I would argue that the Australian government does an “okay” job of raising awareness of the issue across the general population. Undeniably, most people are familiar with some of the more prominent campaigns over recent years that sought to educate on the dangers of sun exposure. This includes the infamous ‘Slip Slop Slap‘ slogan and accompanying television advertisement launched in 1981 – which has now been altered to include ‘Seek’ and ‘Slide’, sadly to the detriment of the “ring” slogan – which came about at a time when knowledge of the link between UV radiation and skin cancer was only just beginning to surface and become widely known. It remains one of the most successful health campaigns in our country’s history; however, since then, there really hasn’t been much in the way of ‘groundbreaking society changing’ campaigns since, most likely because everyone now knows of the dangers and links to sun exposure and cancer. So the job is really only half done.
It is inexplicable and irresponsible that with skin cancer rates continuing to rise, despite this abundance of information and advice available to Australians, that more is not being done to curb the trend. Awareness is clearly not enough, so I say the government is only doing an “okay” job of addressing this issue for the key fact that they seem to be failing to target the real core of the issue, or at least what I perceive it to be. There is a blatantly obvious stigma among Australians, particularly young people (and it is when you are young that you do the most significant and long lasting damage to your skin), that being tanned is more attractive. This is what needs to be changed. It will be hard as it is truly engrained in many Western societies, a remnant of social class categorisation from centuries ago, that is doing so much harm to the health of our society. Admittedly, the more recent ‘The Dark Side of Tanning – There’s nothing healthy about a tan‘ campaign by the NSW government scraped the surface of the issue, at least in identifying its existence. But again, this is not enough. There needs to be a real and proactive push for this change, for us to get amongst young people, through education and involvement, to change this attitude. Fashion magazines/idols/role models could and should all play a part because at the end of the day, they are what help drive superficial trends anyway.
So this is where Shun the Sun comes in. This is what sets it apart from just being a ‘sun protection awareness’ campaign. I want to go deeper, I want to try to change society’s deeply engrained views of tanning, to really achieve a change that will finally see a dip in skin cancer rates.
CAN THE TAN CAN: Bad spray tans – It is hard understand why young people think that a streaky orange fake tan looks better than the skin they were born in. Sun protection is important, but so is changing people’s attitudes about needing to look bronzed. The two go hand in hand. Tell me guys, which look would you prefer?
[Photo courtesy of glowandgoimaging.com]
“A tan is not a sign of good health or wellbeing, despite many Australians referring to a ‘healthy tan’. Almost half of Australian adults still hold the misguided belief that a tan looks healthy.” – Cancer Council Australia
This sentiment, scary as it sounds, is exactly the issue that I’m trying to address, if not adamantly tackle. I could count on two hands the number of people I know how have been diagnosed with some form of skin cancer – although thankfully know of no fatalities. But I dare say that this is unusual and in Australian society, will become more so. Take my Dad’s fiancé, a personal example that I regularly draw on: one long-term ex-boyfriends from her youth was a strapping young Spanish boy with naturally dark olive skin, yet he was always meticulous about staying out of the sun and, if forced to be exposed to its harsh rays, would always cover up. He died of melanoma in his late 20s. Yet I look at so many of my friends who, at the sign of any sunshine, rush outdoors to the nearest area of unobstructed rays and lie. Often without sunscreen, always without protective clothing, never with a hat; only sheltered by their sunglasses (you’d look uncool without your shades, dah). And all to achieve that desired ‘I’ve just come back from the Bahamas’ look, all year round. Lets be real, no one (who I know anyway) can afford weekly trips to the Caribbean and frankly, I’m finding myself wonder more and more, why would you want to? When you look at Australia’s skin cancer stats it’s really, really, frightening:
Every year, in Australia:
[Cancer Council Australia, 2013]
We have a hot, harsh climate that we cant avoid at least a minimal level of exposure to through the carrying out of our daily lives; why then do we so many of us, particularly the youngsters, feel the need to bake ourselves at every other opportunity we get? It’s a social stigma that I find really interesting, not least because of its roots that date back centuries where initially pale skin was considered more beautiful and a sign of wealth. This trend changed along with the advance of industry technology so that pale skin was deemed a sign of poverty.
My focus, however, is the attitudes of Australian youth because, as I mentioned, it is something that is quite strikingly noticeable in my own life and experiences. Plus, the fact that it is young people who are particularly subscribing to this trend is most definitely reflected in this stat:
“Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, melanoma is the most common cancer in Australians aged 15-44 years.”
[Cancer Council Australia, 2013]
So here I am, ready to make a stand against ‘fans of tans’, hoping to encourage the embrace of natural skin tones of all shades.
Cancer Council Australia, 2013, accessed September 11, 2013 <http://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer.html>
On this scorcher of a spring day in Sydney I bring to you ‘Shun the Sun’. The epitome of this social awareness campaign is to alter the stigma among young people in our sun-drenched country regarding the perceived necessity to be a ‘fan of tan’. Despite skin cancer and melanoma rates skyrocketing across all age groups, we still see hundreds of youths flock to the beach exposing themselves to the harsh sun with little protection and even tanning aids such as oils, in the hope of gaining that ‘all important’ tan. This happens despite countless campaigns by the Australian Cancer Council and other government organisations. Their effectiveness is arguably hindered by the societal trend of aspiring to be a ‘bronzed beauty’ all year round. Shun the Sun is all about promoting the beauty of all skin tones and particularly promoting the beauty of those who are naturally pale (albeit often the butt of ‘pasty’ jokes).
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