Doctors warn against 'healthy' tan

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 18 (UPI) -- U.S. doctors warned Friday that trying to get a "perfect" tan is always an unhealthy activity.

"There is no such thing as a healthy tan. Ultraviolet rays can kill you," said John Laskas, president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. "It doesn't mean you have to stay in the basement. But it does mean you need to do more than apply a little sunscreen."

According to the Pennsylvania Medical Society's recent statewide poll, more than 60 percent of respondents indicated that they rarely wore sunscreen, even though they also stated that they were concerned about cancer. Between 2001 and 2005, more than 2,000 Pennsylvanians died of melanoma of the skin; 60 percent were men.

The patient poll indicated that men were less likely to wear sunscreen than women, putting them at significantly higher risk for skin cancer.

Laskas advised patients to be reasonable. "Don't sunbathe, indoors or outdoors. When you do go outdoors, wear a sunblock that protects against both ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B rays. If you're bald, wear a hat and if you absolutely have to be tan, try some of the new self-tanning products to get that 'golden glow.'"

Bruce Brod, another dermatologist, added, "Unfortunately, sunscreen gives us a false sense of security. It's like driving a car. A seatbelt can save your life, but you also need to drive responsibly. The same goes for sun exposure -- you can apply sunscreen, but that alone won't prevent skin cancer."