The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just released new rules governing the labeling of sunscreen. Broad Spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher should be used regularly to help prevent skin cancer and premature aging.
The days of worshiping the sun for tanning have faded.
I used to love lying in the sun. Maybe I got it from my father who loved to relax on the lawn chair for an occasional afternoon nap. After a couple of hours of snoozing away, he’d wake up with a white hand print on his belly. But, unlike Dad who just liked to sleep, my goal was a brown body.
As a teenager, I spent my summer afternoons lying on the beach or in the backyard slathering baby oil over my body. Every half hour, I’d turn over like a basted chicken on a spit. Being fair skinned, I usually burned first but after the skin peeled off, I’d hopefully tan. At least that’s what I told people who commented on my lobster red nose.
One day, in my early 20’s, I was lying in the sun on the front porch in my bikini when the mailman came to the door. “You should get out of the sun,” he said. “It’s not good for you.” I think it was around that time we were hearing more about the dangers of the sun. I soon started to wise up.
We now know that unprotected sun exposure can cause skin cancer. The World Health Organization now classifies UV rays as a known carcinogen. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canada and it’s also one of the most preventable.
Even tanning beds are not safe. In Nova Scotia, it’s now illegal for anyone under the age of 19 to use a tanning bed since the new Tanning Bed Act came into effect on May 31. According to studies, indoor tanning before the age of 35 raises the risk of skin cancer by 75 per cent. I hope this sends a message to people of all ages that tanning beds not a good idea.
So what’s the alternative? Getting a tan from a bottle? The first time I tried that was a disaster. It was years ago—long before they were popular. I was feeling pretty good about my instant tan until I went to a party that night and someone said I glowed in the dark. That embarrassment turned me off bottled tans for a long time. Every now and then I try a new brand but they all seem to cause my skin to break out.
So, really, what’s wrong with the un-tanned look? Isn’t it better to aim for a smooth clear white complexion as we age than the spotted leather look?
I suppose as those of us who come from the generation of sun worshipers get older, the choice will be obvious. It’s not all in the name of beauty, naturally.
These days, I wear sunscreen every day–SPF 40 on my face and, in the summer, SPF 30 on my body. I love the present style of lightweight cotton and silk scarves so I’m taking advantage of that this year. I’ve got a few wide hats for gardening and relaxing on the deck….I’ll do whatever I can to preserve my 49 year old skin.
I think it’s high time we let go of the “beautiful tan” mentality and embrace our natural whiteness.
Have a beautiful day!
Chrissy
Links for further information:
U.S. F.D.A. new labeling rules for sunscreen
Tanning Beds banned to anyone under 19 years old in Nova Scotia
I too grew up in the era of sun worshipers and did my share. When I was quite young my best friend had a pool and when we weren’t swimming (supervised, of course) we were toasting ourselves to warm up after being in the water so long. Besides that, we played outdoors all day long. Our mothers never put sunscreen on us, and I do not recall a single sunburn. The atmosphere is definitely thinner these days. I no longer tan (unless by accident) and like you I now use sunblock, cover up and/or stay out of the sun. I have no problem with the untanned look!