While sunbeds emit a bright light, any minimal boost in mood “is completely counteracted by the risk of skin cancer,” Dr Esdaile notes.
Far healthier, is the use of UV-free light boxes for SAD, a.k.a SAD lamps that use white light with a built-in UV filter. These are specially designed to mimic natural sunlight (without the risk to your skin) and trick the brain into thinking it’s summer, causing it to release the feel-good chemical serotonin.
Myth 7: Tanning is necessary for getting vitamin D.
When it comes to vitamin D, ‘health-washing’ is rife in the sunbed industry. It’s true that a certain amount of sun exposure can help your body convert vitamin D into its active form. However, the bulbs used in tanning beds emit mostly UVA light; your body needs UVB light to make vitamin D.
Even the risks of prolonged exposure sun exposure outweigh the vitamin D benefits. “Vitamin D can be sourced from many different ways,” says Dr Esdaile. “The main source is through the skin and this can be achieved even when using sun cream to protect the skin. In those particularly at risk of a deficiency, vitamin D supplements can be taken, and is of course available through dietary sources [oily fish such as salmon and egg yolks, for example].”
Myth 8: A malignant mole is no big deal as the doctor just removes it
“The classic signs of skin cancer that you should look out for are a change in the size or appearance of an existing mole,” says oncologist Dr Tim Crook. “If it’s getting bigger, bleeding, itching or changing shape and colour, these signs should be reported to your GP right away.”
While we don’t mean to frighten you, a malignant mole isn’t something to be taken lightly. “All types of skin cancer are influenced by UV exposure,” says Dr Craythorne. “Even a simple mole means having surgery, which is often facial and will leave a scar).”
There is also a risk that the skin cancer will turn into metastatic melanoma, when the cancerous cells from the original mole or tumour spread to the lungs, liver, bones and brain, starting new tumours. “Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma are life shortening diseases and associated with high mortality rates in advanced disease,” Dr Craythorne adds.
Myth 9: Sun damage goes away if you give yourself a break between tanning sessions.
Sun damage, even if it isn’t immediately visible, adds up over time and can manifest later in life as both skin cancer and as pigmentation, wrinkles and lax skin. “This is because UV rays damage the skin’s elastin and collagen fibres,” says Dr Esdaile – a.k.a the springs and stuffing of your skin that contribute to its plumpness and smoothness.
“Sun damage never goes away by itself,” adds Dr Craythorne. “It is a cumulative effect – once the damage has been done, it is done. You can only protect against future damage.” This is where the best sunscreens for face and sun creams are essential, even on grey days as UVA rays are still able to penetrate through clouds.
Myth 10: Layering SPF 20 and SPF 10 gives you SPF 30 protection when you’re tanning, which is plenty of protection.
It’s a nice idea that if you layer and foundation with an SPF10 over an SPF20 sunscreen that you’ll automatically get an SPF30. “Sadly, that’s not how it works, as sun protection is not additive,” says Dr Esdaile. At best you’ll still only have SPF20 protection, which isn’t strong enough to protect against sun damage.
“SPF numbers do not ‘add up’,” explains Dr Esdaile. “Even if you mix an SPF20 and SPF 30, you won’t get an SPF50. It will just result in a dilution of somewhere in between an SPF20 and 30. It is actually more complicated as it depends on the mix of filters but the maximum block would still be an SPF30.”
This advice is echoed by Dr Muntasar. “SPF 20,30 and 50 in themselves cannot be layered on top of another to reach a specific SPF. For example, if your foundation has an SPF30, I would go so far as to say, ‘Ignore it’, as you would need to apply a huge amount to reach anywhere near an SPF30. I always recommend my patients apply an SPF50 underneath a foundation or on top of moisturiser to ensure the best protection.”
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR’s Acting Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.