Sunless tanning lotions seem to keep women out of the way of harmful UV rays, a new study from the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta shows. According to Reuters Health, researchers found that 40 percent of women who reported using sunless tanning products were more likely to limit their time sunbathing outdoors or in a tanning bed.
To reach their conclusions, researchers surveyed 415 women living on or near the Emory University campus about their tanning habits. About half of the women, who ranged in age from 18 to 71, reported having used sunless tanning lotions and 70 percent said they had tanned in the sun. However, women who said they used lotion products were less likely than others to have spent intentional time in the sun. Indeed, women who reported using sunless tanners at least five times a year were the most likely to say they would cut back on other forms of tanning.
The report comes as a relief to many dermatologists, who have been warning against the dangers of tanning beds and sunbathing for years. Though Chen told Reuters Health that some doctors are hesitant about recommending any kind of tanning product, it is better to push one that isn’t directly harmful to users. Too many women ignore medical advice in favor of getting tan skin, she said.
“The message that I give, is your natural skin color is where you were born to be, but if you really want to be tan get it out of a bottle,” said study leader Suephy Chen. “Getting a tan out of a bottle is incredibly safe, whereas getting tanned from tanning beds and laying out is not.”
Reuters reports that more than 1 million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer were reported in the United States in 2010, and 2011 expected to see about 70,000 more.
