Tanning in a solarium: pros and cons

A trip to the solarium will provide you with a good dose of ultraviolet radiation. Under its influence, the body will begin to actively produce vitamin D, the so-called hormone of joy and happiness – endorphin, which will also make bones stronger. However, the rays of the lamps can be harmful to health.

The rays, called UVA, penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, dehydrating it, which provokes premature aging, the appearance of wrinkles and contributes to the development of neoplasms – from commonplace moles to insidious melanoma. Of course, such processes do not arise this minute, but develop over time. This happens most often for two reasons.

1. Poor quality equipment

You should not save on solariums. There is a reason for all the cheapness – perhaps they have not changed the lamps for a long time or bought them already in use. Remember, the lamp life is only 540 hours, and it is almost impossible to control the operation of expired devices. Therefore, when deciding to visit the solarium, be sure to make sure how long the lamps have been replaced in it. By the way, new lamps also require the right approach – you need to sunbathe under them less than your skin type should.

2. Illiterate use of the solarium

If you want a rich color, visit the tanning salon a maximum of once a week. If your goal is a light golden hue, just twice a month is enough. In any case, spend no more than 5-7 minutes per session in the solarium.

Olga Kozelskaya, cosmetologist Babor

In order for the skin to acquire a fresh and natural shade, it is enough to visit the solarium 1-2 times a month. Frequent visits to the solarium can lead to:

• the formation of pigmentation;

• premature wrinkles;

• dehydration of the skin of the face and body;

• violation of the menstrual cycle;

• swelling, due to impaired renal function and lymphatic system.

When a solarium is contraindicated

Before going to the tanning bed, you need to make sure that your body will not be harmed. Therefore…

Set aside going to the solarium if you have a cold, sore throat or flu. Refrain from the light of the lamps for at least 14 days after the peeling procedure, mesotherapy, surgical treatment.

Give up from this method of tanning, if the skin has a tendency to pigmentation, as well as for certain diseases. For example, if the function of the thyroid gland is impaired, mastopathy, fibroids, polyps, cyst are found, or there are a large number of moles on the body. Solarium is also dangerous during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy due to the risk of general overheating.

When we go to a solarium, we want to get health benefits along with tanning. How true are our expectations, said the candidate of medical sciences, professor, dermatocosmetologist, OLAY expert Olga Zabnenkova.

1. Sunburn is good for you, after all, having acquired a golden hue, the skin looks rested and attractive.

Whether it’s direct sunlight or tanning lamps, you shouldn’t go overboard with a tan. Excessive doses of radiation are absolutely not good for the skin. Outwardly, changes may not appear immediately, but in 10-15 years. But the result will be disastrous. So at 40 you will look 60, although if you’re lucky, 55. Even earlier, persistent, poorly concealed age spots will appear in the cheekbones and bridge of the nose, and often on the upper lip. In addition, pores will expand, greasiness will increase, and an exacerbation of all viral infections may occur: herpes, papillomas, flat warts, etc.

2. In a solarium you can get the safest tan.

If we talk about the risk of developing skin cancer, then the solarium lamps are really less dangerous than the direct rays of the sun at the equator, although if we compare the intensity of solar irradiation in our middle lane, then we can argue. UV-A rays (those that we get in tanning beds) lead to premature aging of the skin.

3. If oily skin and inflammation, 1-2 sessions in a solarium are enough – and all problems are solved.

Indeed, in the past, UV radiation has been used in the treatment of acne. In suberythemal doses (very low doses that do not cause redness of the skin), these rays dry out pimples, providing an anti-inflammatory effect. But intense radiation in a tanning bed, on the contrary, leads to increased greasiness of the skin and suppresses immunity, which ultimately entails an exacerbation of pustular eruptions.

The second aspect is pigmentation. Inflamed areas of the skin under UV irradiation sunbathe much more intensely, so persistent brown spots may appear in these places, which will then have to be removed for a painfully long time in the beautician’s office. It should also be remembered that some of the medicines and cosmetics for acne are not combined with UV radiation. Combining them with going to a solarium can lead to skin burns and pigmentation. Therefore, there can be only one conclusion: anke and direct rays of the sun are incompatible.