Summer is coming to an end and that means many people are soaking up their last rays of sunshine and squeezing in a last-minute tan. Others look for ways to stay tan all year long by using a tanning bed or having a spray-on tan. Getting the right amount of Sun is important, and there are numerous health benefits. And if you are someone with scars from surgery or injury, you may be wondering if tanning is an effective way of reducing the appearance of your scars. After all, a tan will help blend in the uneven pigmentation caused by scarring, right? Not quite.
Continue reading to learn more about the effects of tanning on the skin and what you can do to simply and effectively reduce scarring.
Is tanning healthy for you?
Tanning or sun tanning is the process of exposing your skin to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun in an attempt to achieve a darker skin tone. Hollywood stars, models, and athletes often sport tans as a way to elevate their status or fit in with trends. But what does the science say about all of this? We know that getting an adequate amount of sunlight is a good source of Vitamin D and may help to boost one’s mood and strengthen the immune system. However, extended exposure to direct sunlight, even with the use of sunscreen, can be damaging to the skin in a number of ways.
People who sunbathe regularly often use a sun tanning oil that helps their skin tan more quickly. This is dangerous because many of these oils don’t even contain SPF or they contain a very little amount. This poses obvious risks of burnt skin which leads to skin cancer later in life. Sunburn means that the cells that make up your skin have become so damaged by the Sun that they die, leaving the skin cracked and dry. So how much sun tanning is healthy? Well, according to recent scientific data, there is no healthy amount of sun tanning. In other words, we shouldn’t be doing it at all. To even achieve a darker skin tone from tanning, harmful UV rays from the sun need to pierce the top layers of the skin. This can have harmful effects on our DNA and increase the risk of different types of cancers.
Post-operative scar care
Tanning is not an effective way to help your scars blend in with the surrounding tissue. In fact, too much sun exposure can have negative effects on your scars in the form of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. Hyperpigmentation (the darkening of the skin) and hypopigmentation (the lightening of the skin) can leave your scar more discolored that it already is. It’s especially vital during the first year after you’ve attained a scar not to expose it to the Sun for too long.
An effective and clinically-proven way to reduce scars after surgery or injury is to use medical-grade topical silicone gel. Silicone gel has been used and tested for over thirty years and is now considered the gold standard for topical scar therapy. Scars need an ideal environment of moisture and oxygen, otherwise known as homeostasis. Too much sunlight can dry out your scar, resulting in unwanted results. By applying silicone gel to a scar site, the user gains control over the moisture retention and collagen regulation that are both necessary for reducing scar inflammation and discoloration. Ask your physician today if medical silicone is right for you or order for yourself online at biodermis.com.
Continue reading to learn more about the effects of tanning on the skin and what you can do to simply and effectively reduce scarring.
Is tanning healthy for you?
Tanning or sun tanning is the process of exposing your skin to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun in an attempt to achieve a darker skin tone. Hollywood stars, models, and athletes often sport tans as a way to elevate their status or fit in with trends. But what does the science say about all of this? We know that getting an adequate amount of sunlight is a good source of Vitamin D and may help to boost one’s mood and strengthen the immune system. However, extended exposure to direct sunlight, even with the use of sunscreen, can be damaging to the skin in a number of ways.
People who sunbathe regularly often use a sun tanning oil that helps their skin tan more quickly. This is dangerous because many of these oils don’t even contain SPF or they contain a very little amount. This poses obvious risks of burnt skin which leads to skin cancer later in life. Sunburn means that the cells that make up your skin have become so damaged by the Sun that they die, leaving the skin cracked and dry. So how much sun tanning is healthy? Well, according to recent scientific data, there is no healthy amount of sun tanning. In other words, we shouldn’t be doing it at all. To even achieve a darker skin tone from tanning, harmful UV rays from the sun need to pierce the top layers of the skin. This can have harmful effects on our DNA and increase the risk of different types of cancers.
Post-operative scar care
Tanning is not an effective way to help your scars blend in with the surrounding tissue. In fact, too much sun exposure can have negative effects on your scars in the form of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. Hyperpigmentation (the darkening of the skin) and hypopigmentation (the lightening of the skin) can leave your scar more discolored that it already is. It’s especially vital during the first year after you’ve attained a scar not to expose it to the Sun for too long.
An effective and clinically-proven way to reduce scars after surgery or injury is to use medical-grade topical silicone gel. Silicone gel has been used and tested for over thirty years and is now considered the gold standard for topical scar therapy. Scars need an ideal environment of moisture and oxygen, otherwise known as homeostasis. Too much sunlight can dry out your scar, resulting in unwanted results. By applying silicone gel to a scar site, the user gains control over the moisture retention and collagen regulation that are both necessary for reducing scar inflammation and discoloration. Ask your physician today if medical silicone is right for you or order for yourself online at biodermis.com.
Biodermis is an innovative market leader with 30 years of expertise in the medical silicone industry. Visit Biodermis.com today to explore a complete range of scar management and post-operative care solutions.
PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: REFER OR RESELL?
Biodermis offers custom tailored referral programs designed to simplify and reduce the cost of your patients' post-op care. Additionally, we offer professional pricing if you opt to retail our products. Give us a call at 800.322.3729, and we will be happy to provide additional details on these programs.
