Skin cancer study confirms the growing risk of tanning beds
June 29th, 2010 - 2:05 pm
DENVER, CO – A new, authoritative skin cancer study confirms what has been long suspected: the growing popularity of tanning beds plays a role in an alarming increase in the incidence of melanoma, particularly among young women.
Researchers from the University of Michigan, writing in the health journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, say those using tanning beds have three times the chance of developing melanoma, one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer.
“As a health care professional focusing on skin care, I find the tanning bed craze unfathomable,” says Dr. Jeffrey Raval, MD, FACS, a Denver facial plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist who is owner and medical director of Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics. “I see the effects of sun damage every day – early-onset wrinkles, loss of skin tone, pigmentation problems, even skin cancers – and I want young women to know the adverse health effects and long-term detriments of excessive tanning and tanning beds far outweigh the short-term benefits. My older patients would advise their younger sisters to take care of their skin now so that they will age more slowly and protect their health.”
Melanoma skin cancer results in nearly 10,000 deaths per year, and one of the key findings in the new study is that average age of those being diagnosed with the disease is getting younger. Indeed, researchers note that skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer diagnosed in young adults, with the increase showing up most notably in young women.
Tanning salons have been around for decades, but the industry really took off in the 1990s with new technology for tanning beds. Since that time the phenomenon has grown into a more than billion-dollar industry. The damaging health effects off tanning beds have been discussed for some time. In fact, in an effort to dampen the popularity of tanning beds, the new health care legislation pushed by the Obama Administration contains a 10% tax on tanning bed services, a levy which goes into effect in July 2010.
Dr. Raval, a skin care specialist, recommends that people avoid tanning beds and excessive exposure to sun. Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics specializes in a wide variety of skin-care procedures and techniques, including hair reduction, tattoo reduction, vein reduction and anti-aging skin care. Many of the procedures performed at Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics involve the use of modern medical lasers, and Dr. Raval and his staff also feature a full line of both prescription and non-prescription skin care products designed to fight the effects of aging and protect the skin from sun and environmental damage.
“Tanning beds are really not a good idea,” says Dr. Raval. “They may even be addictive in that using them has been shown to release endorphins in the body. Everybody, but especially young people, should avoid tanning beds, and they should use skin-care products that include sun blocks and provide skin moisturizing. With proper skin care people will be healthier, and they will maintain their youthful appearance and skin tine far beyond their friends using tanning beds.”
At Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics , Dr. Raval and his medical assistants stress wearing SPF 30 at a minimum. Dr. Raval carries RavalRx, a proprietary line of skincare products he has developed to meet the needs of his patients, plus Obaji, Nia 24, Vivite, La Roche-Posay and SkinCeuticals. Sun protection lotions and crèmes are part of each product line available in the clinic and online at www.ravalmd.com, the facial plastic surgery arm of Dr. Raval’s practice sharing the same office.
Dr. Raval and his aestheticians use Visia® Complexion Analysis to map a patient’s face and the resulting sun damage, perhaps the biggest contributor to aging skin, wrinkles and brown spots as well as melanomas. This topographic map is then interpreted by Dr. Raval and his medical techs to determine specific recommended treatments for each individual patient.
Using a variety of skin-smoothing treatments from Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) FotoFacial Laser Therapy to Sciton Laser Ultimate Laser Peel, Sciton MicroLaserPeel, Sciton Profractional Peel, Sciton ClearScan, and Sciton BBL Photofacial, medical aestheticians and the doctor restore a youthful glow to patients’ complexions, erasing wrinkles and fine lines. These laser treatments also promote the development of collagen, the connective protein contained in skin cells that keeps the skin taut, firm and young looking.
“Most of the skin damage we see on patients occurred before age 18,” adds Dr. Raval. “It can be 20 years before melanoma appear. And not all melanomas show up in areas that are exposed to the sun. We’ve had patients display melanomas inside their ears or between their toes, underscoring the importance of regular self-exams and annual physical exams at minimum.”
For more information on skin-care laser treatments and skin-care products available at Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics, visit www.rockymountainlaser.com or call 303-985-8520. The clinic is located at 250 Steele St., Denver, CO 80206 in Denver’s famed Cherry Creek North neighborhood.
