Students put skin in peril for suntans

Dermatologists remind students heading to break and tanning salons that there is no such thing as a "healthy" tan and skin cancer can affect anyone.

The semester slump has hit, and lack of sun coupled with frequent precipitation in the State College area has many University students dreaming of spring break's warm-weather destinations.

Dr. Jerry Mikesell, a dermatologist in State College, said skin cancer affects a broad range of ages.

A common belief is that skin cancer affects older people, Mikesell said, but young people also need to protect their skin against the negative effects of sun damage.

"I see many patients in their late teens and early 20s who have already had skin cancer and pre-cancerous moles," he said.

Few students seem to remember that fun in the sun can have a different meaning -- "fry now, pay later," said Tere Rill, executive director of Centre County's American Cancer Society chapter. And tanning beds produce the same effect as direct sunlight, Rill added.

Some dermatologists say natural and artificial tanning are similar in terms of the damage they cause, Mikesell said. However, people who tan at salons are less likely to burn, he said.

Dermatologists also feel that there is no such thing as a "healthy tan," he added.

"A tan is an indicator that sun is damaging the skin," Mikesell said. "Tanning is the way the skin protects itself against further damage."

Local tanning salons are taking responsibility to inform their patrons of tanning dangers, said Ron Hanslovan, owner of TanFastique, 159 S. Garner St. The amount of time a client may spend in the booths is determined by the person's skin type and tanning experience, Hanslovan said.

But some students still feel tanning prior to spring break is the way to go.

"I've been tanning because I don't want to get burned on the first day," said Sara Lyman (senior-business management).

Tanning beds aside, the sun is also a dangerous risk, against which students should take precautions to protect themselves.

Try wearing protective clothing, something that has a somewhat dense weave, Mikesell said. For example, most T-shirts only have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of six, he said.

Try to avoid direct sunlight between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is most intense. Also, when in direct sunlight, apply and reapply sunscreen of at least SPF 15, Mikesell added.