Fact or fiction: You can get tan without the sun.
If you guessed FACT, you’re correct. If you love the look of a tan but worry about the health risks that go with it, luckily, you have options. But you’ll have to eat your veggies —doctor’s orders. Sona Dermatology & MedSpa has been a trusted name for exceptional skin care for nearly 20 years. With the recent addition of medical dermatology to its Fort Worth center, Sona now provides high-quality, comprehensive skin care for the whole family.
Dr. Heather Reagin is a board-certified dermatologist, who, along with her clinical staff of experts, provides a wide array of treatments, including full body skin checks to detect skin cancer. Dr. Reagin feels passionately about protecting your skin and wants to clarify the facts and falsehoods surrounding sun exposure and your skin.
Got Carrots?
Dr. Reagin says the first option for those wanting a healthy tan would be to incorporate the use of sunless tanners to get that gorgeous glow. Sunless tanners have improved significantly in the past few years and, when applied correctly, can result in a natural looking golden tan. Sunless tanners come in both spray-on and lotion versions, and in different shades to match an individual’s skin tone.
Secondly, you can "Increase your intake of foods that contain beta-carotene, which will help provide protection from free radicals that UV light causes.” Dr. Reagin says. According to the doctor, Beta-carotene can impart a bronzed appearance to lighter skin tones.
Foods rich in beta-carotene include:
- Carrots
- Red cayenne peppers
- Spinach
- Mangoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Kale
- Apricots
- Cantaloupe
- Pumpkin
- Butternut squash
Fact: Everyone is at risk of skin cancer; certain people are at higher risk
Every day, almost 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer. Though everyone is at risk, some people are at higher risk.
Generally speaking, the Sona dermatologist says, "Anyone who spends significant time in the sun unprotected —regardless of skin color— is more susceptible to skin cancer." Examples include lifeguards, landscapers, roofers, truck drivers, postal workers, boaters, fishermen, farmers, athletes, and coaches. “In addition," she says, "Those with light skin and light eye color and individuals with many moles or dysplastic moles are especially prone."
Dr. Reagin says the same goes for people who are immunosuppressed due to medications, organ transplants, or other conditions. Because of the role the immune system plays in the surveillance and destruction of abnormal cells, they’re particularly prone to skin cancer and should have a skin cancer screening at least twice per year.
It’s important to note that while people with skin of color have a lower risk of developing melanoma, the disease is often diagnosed at later stages, making it more advanced and difficult to treat.
The Myths
Myth: Base tans prevent sunburn
Have you been operating under the belief that getting a "base tan" will shield you from a painful sunburn? Think again.
According to Dr. Reagin: "There is no such thing as a healthy or safe tan. In addition to causing skin cancer, which may be life threatening, UV radiation causes photoaging of the skin. These changes include wrinkles, abnormal texture, and pigment changes, such as dark spots. The age-old adage fits perfectly: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Sunscreen should be applied daily, at least to highly sun exposed areas such as the face, neck, and chest. Those living in Texas get a lot of accumulated sun exposure. It may seem minimal, but daily activities like driving, walking from the house to the car, or the car to the store, really add up. Daily use of sunscreen will go a long way to prevent both skin cancer and premature aging of the skin.”
Myth: You don’t need sunscreen on a cloudy day.
This is simply false.
Dr. Reagin says another misconception is that people think the sun is not harmful when the weather is cloudy, overcast or cold. “In fact, you do accumulate damage even when the sun's not visible. People just don’t feel the strong effects of the sun on a cloudy day, but the danger is still there,” she says.
There are two different types of UV radiation that damage the skin: UVB and UVA. UVB rays play a role in sunburns and skin cancer, per Dr. Reagin. UVA rays do not cause rapid burning; however, these do contribute to skin cancer and photoaging of the skin. UVA rays pass right through the clouds, and even through car windows, damaging the skin.
The Next Move
The warm sunlight may feel good, but don't forget it has many negative effects on your skin. While you don’t have to completely give up your outdoor fun, having fun in the sun should be done responsibly.
It’s important to protect yourself and your family from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Just one blistering sunburn doubles your chance of developing melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and melanoma is the second most common cancer in females ages 15-29. It is currently estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
The good news is that skin cancer, including melanoma, is highly treatable when it's detected early.
That's why it's so important to establish a relationship with a local board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Reagin — so you can catch skin cancer as soon as possible and increase your chances of full recovery.
Healthy adults without a history of skin cancer should visit their dermatologist annually for skin cancer screening. If you've had a previous skin cancer diagnosis, or if you're in one of the above-mentioned high-risk groups, the dermatologist says you may need to be checked more frequently—quarterly to twice-yearly.
How Sona Dermatology & MedSpa Can Help
Beginning Aug. 13, and continuing through the month of September, Sona Dermatology & MedSpa, in partnership with the American Academy of Dermatology, will be offering free SPOTMe skin checks with Dr. Reagin at its Fort Worth location. No payment or insurance is required, but patients do need to register in advance for an appointment for the skin checks, which are first-come, first-served.
If you are unable to schedule during this time, but still need your annual skin check, you can contact Sona Dermatology to schedule a skin check or other dermatology appointment - and Sona also offers convenient online booking. Dr. Reagin is committed to being available to patients who need a yearly skin check, but also to those who have a more urgent concern and need a more timely appointment than may be available at other dermatology offices. See below for location and contact information. You can also visit sonaskin.com for more information.
Sona Dermatology & MedSpa – Fort Worth
Location: 2421 W. 7th Street, Suite 205, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Call to Register: 817-510-4626
About Sona: With expert physicians and care providers in locations throughout the region, Sona Dermatology & MedSpa provides comprehensive, high quality skin care using advanced technology and medical expertise in a warm, welcoming environment. With 21 offices in 7 states, 4 of which are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Sona Dermatology & MedSpa is leading the industry in total skin wellness, offering a full range of dermatological and cosmetic care to the patients and communities it serves. For more information, visit sonaskin.com
Book Now: https://bit.ly/2OrsrJS
