There are a lots of myths about skin cancer. Here are a few of the most common myths followed by the plain truth!
MYTH #1: 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to the sun happens before the age of 18, so after that age it really doesn’t matter how much sun I get! I should enjoy sunny days as an adult!
FACT: Only 23% of lifetime sun exposure occurs by age 18. You can and should help prevent sun damage at every age!
MYTH #2: Tanning at a tanning salon is safer than tanning outdoors because it is a controlled dose of radiation.
FACT: When compared to those that have never tanned indoors, indoor tanners have a higher risk of all kinds of skin cancer. A controlled dose of tanning lamp radiation is a high dose. Frequent tanners using new high pressure sun lamps may receive as much as 12 times the annual UVA dose they received from sun exposure.
MYTH #3: The sun is the best way to get Vitamin D
FACT: Our bodies can produce Vitamin D following exposure to the Sun’s UVB radiation. However, after a limited amount of sun exposure (5 min daily in NYC at noon in the summer), Vitamin D production reaches its maximum. Further UV exposure will actually breakdown Vitamin D to inactive compounds. Furthermore, sun exposure does increase your risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. The safest way to get Vitamin D is through diet and supplements!
Can’t wait for more info? These Myths vs. Facts were provided by www.skincancer.org