Low-D Moms’ Babies at Risk: Study

Western Australian researchers have determined that children born to vitamin D deficient mothers are twice as likely to have severe language problems — a startling finding in light of surprisingly high vitamin D deficiency in Australia.

The study, published in the journal “Pediatrics” was believed to be the first to look at vitamin D and language development. The West Australian reported, “Associate Professor Andrew Whitehouse, who led the research, said the finding was significant, given vitamin D levels in women were known to have decreased steadily over the past 20 years. ‘The developing baby is completely reliant on the mother for its vitamin D levels and what we have shown is that this might have an impact on the child’s brain development,” Dr Whitehouse said.

Whitehouse continued in the story, “’We’ve known for some years that vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy in mums is associated with a number of adverse health effects, including poor growth of the baby and asthma, but no human studies have shown an association with language difficulties. These are more severe language problems in school years, because while we know 12 per cent of toddlers have language delays, many of them resolve by the time they get to school, whereas language problems which persist to school years tend to stick around for much of their life.’”

Australian officials are surprised at alarmingly high vitamin D deficiency nationwide in light of the world’s strongest anti-sun campaign, which began more than a generation ago, encouraging daily sunscreen usage and sun avoidance.

January 7th Busting Breast Cancer Briefings at Sunbanque Locations

“Breast Cancer has now become an unnecessary disease”, according to Susan Wadia-Ells, founding director of the National Breast Cancer Prevention Project.

On Saturday January 7^th , Wadia-Ells of Manchester, MA,  will discuss research on why: higher levels of Vitamin D3; avoiding contraceptive drugs; having an annual thermogram and changing your diet,  can virtually eliminate your ability to develop breast cancer tumors.

Saturday’s briefings will take place at the Sunbanque Tanning Salons as follows:

11:00 am  156 Prospect Streeet, Gloucester – Tel. 978-281-4442

1:00 pm Enon Street / Route 1A, Super Stop & Shop Plaza, North Beverly – Tel. 978-927-3003

3:00 pm 595 Chickering Road (Route 125/33), North Andover – Tel. 978-685-7786

So much of what we teach women, regarding how to stop breast cancer before it starts, goes against everything Americans have been told by commercial sunblock advertising and by pharmaceutical companies, said Wadia-Ells.  For example, women are shocked to find that using  safe year-round tanning and stopping contraceptive drugs, no matter what your age, will help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.

Know Breast Cancer’s website and Wadia-Ells’ forthcoming book explain that the most significant way to help stop breast cancer from happening, is to raise your vitamin D3 blood level. This is best done by allowing the sun to slowly and safely tan your skin, all year round. In Massachusetts this means that every woman, with a skin type that can tan, needs to spend time in the summer sun,   without any sun block, for short periods of time as UVB rays activate enough melanin to create a natural protective tan.  Using short but regular amounts of indoor tanning time from September through May enables the body to continue making vitamin D3 year-round.  Taking Vitamin D3 supplements is a slower but effective way to help raise and maintain optimal D3 blood levels of 60 ng/ml-80 ng/ml .

“Everything we will share with women at Saturday’s briefing is backed up by objective, professional and long standing research,” said Wadia-Ells.  Participants at Saturday’s free briefing will also receive copies of recent studies linking year-round tanning with lower breast cancer rates, how to begin to enjoy a cancer-blocking daily diet,  and why using contraceptive drugs can increase your risk of developing breast cancer, especially if you are over 40 years old.  A list of thermography services north of Boston, will also be available.

“Holding this information session at Sunbanque, will help women understand that Know Breast Cancer is serious about encouraging women to learn how to develop and benefit from safe year-round tanning and how to choose non-toxic sun block products,” said Wadia-Ells.

U S Derms refer 900,000 to Sunbeds

An International Smart Tan Network survey of 6,881 indoor tanning clients revealed that 11 percent of tanning clients say a doctor referred them to a tanning salon for therapeutic reasons and that 28 percent of those referring physicians were dermatologists. The survey shows that the recent press release from the American Academy of Dermatology in which the organization contended that “100 percent of dermatologists discourage tanning” is baseless.

Based on the survey, dermatologists refer an estimated 900,000 people to sunbeds in the United States every year.

“Two of my doctors told me I needed to tan: my dermatologist for my skin psoriasis, and my regular doctor for depression from not getting enough sun light…Tanning did help a lot,” said Robert Van Dine, a patron at Midnight Sun & Cruise in Holland, Mich., a Smart Tan member facility.

According to Smart Tan an estimated 1.5 million Americans utilize tanning salons to informally treat psoriasis in lieu of phototherapy in a dermatologist’s office. Phototherapy procedures use the same equipment found in tanning salons. In fact, the Mayo Clinic cites UV light therapy as the standard of care for treating these ailments.

But many patients are referred to tanning salons instead by physicians, as the cost of a tanning session is almost always less expensive than the health insurance co-payment of a dermatology-based phototherapy session. As a result, the number of phototherapy treatments by dermatologists has plummeted.

• In 1993 dermatologists administered 873,000 visits for phototherapy sessions.
• By 1998, that number dropped by 94 percent according to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, which in 2002 described phototherapy sessions as “a safe and effective treatment for psoriasis.”

“If any UV exposure were as dangerous as a recent statement from the AAD claims, then dermatologists would be guilty of violating their Hippocratic oath for using UV in what they describe as burning dosages to treat purely cosmetic skin conditions,” said Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy. “Professional tanning facilities are trained to deliver non-burning dosages of UV light to create a cosmetic tan, but a side effect is that people are treating all sorts of conditions informally and effectively. What we’re really seeing is dermatology’s anger for the loss of billions of dollars in phototherapy treatments in their offices, as consumers choose a more economical and convenient method of self-care.”

Professional indoor tanning facilities promote a balanced message about UV exposure — acknowledging the risks of overexposure. In contrast, AAD continues to mislead the public by suggesting in its statements that any UV exposure causes melanoma, which completely misrepresents the science. “This has never been a health care debate,” said Levy. “This is the cosmetic dermatology industry attacking indoor tanning for strictly financial gain.”

The AAD has come under fire from within its ranks for its position on melanoma. In 2008, Dr. Bernard Ackerman — a pioneer in dermatology pathology recognized as a Master Dermatologist by AAD — backed up Smart Tan’s position about the complex relationship between UV and melanoma in the Dermatology Times stating, “There is no compelling evidence that sun tan parlors have induced a single melanoma,” and that any regulation of the tanning market “…should be predicated on evidence and not on accusation.”

In fact, AAD spokesperson Dr. James Spencer admitted in a May 2008 article in Dermatology Times that, “We don’t have direct experimental evidence,” referring to the fact that research has not shown a causative mechanism between indoor tanning and melanoma. The studies the AAD has referred to do not show causation — only weak correlations that are confounded by study design. The organization continues to omit refuting evidence and studies and the fact that most studies don’t show a correlation.

Further, while AAD is lobbying to restrict indoor tanning, its lobbying efforts have always called for phototherapy treatment in dermatology offices to be exempted from further restriction.

“It’s time that researchers and the media start asking tough questions about why dermatologists refuse to talk about these issues and their real motivations around their attacks on indoor tanning,” Levy said.

Melanoma Not Sun Related: Report

One of the internet’s leading health-education web sites this week published a report slamming those who have singled-out UV exposure as the cause of melanoma — citing reports arguing that alleged melanoma increases are more a product of increased reporting and less a product of actual increase in disease.

Dr. Joseph Mercola, founder of Mercola.com, published an article on FoodConsumer.org on Monday.

“Rates of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, have been rising for at least the last three decades, and this increase has been largely blamed on exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun,” Mercola wrote. “However, research published in the British Journal of Dermatology shows that the sun is likely nothing more than a scapegoat in the development of melanoma, and the sharp increase may actually be ‘an artifact caused by diagnostic drift.’”

Mercola believes optimizing vitamin D levels will have more of a positive impact on human health and that regular sun exposure, or usage of a standard tanning bed, is the best way to produce vitamin D. “The sun is your best source of vitamin D because when you expose your skin to sunshine, your skin synthesizes vitamin D3 sulfate. This form of vitamin D is water-soluble and can travel freely in your bloodstream, unlike oral vitamin D3 supplements,” he reports.

Dispelling The Myth about Melanoma and Tanning

Melanoma Risks

The majority of melanomas are caused by genetic factors. People at risk are very fair skinned, have red hair and have a large number of moles. People that are a Skin Type one (very fair and cannot develop a tan) should not tan whether indoors or outdoors.
The World Health Organization (WHO) IARC report of 2009 IARC put UV light from a sunbed into the same category as sunlight. What is never reported is UV light has both a positive effect and a negative effect depending on exposure levels. The IARC report shows that increased risk is associated with phototherapy sessions from equipment found in dermatology offices and from the use of unsupervised home equipment. Getting a tan should always be done at a tanning salon that employs trained and certified staff.

Exposure level is key; this is why dermatologists use UV light in phototherapy booths for skin disorders. Research from the American Academy of Dermatology this year said you can reduce your melanoma risk by 50% by increasing your vitamin D blood levels. 90% of all vitamin D comes from exposure to UVB light both from the sun and sunbeds.

Health Organizations that create sunscare messaging are sometimes funded by large chemical sunscreen manufacturers and this affects their objectivity when providing us with sun safety advice. They also promote chemical sunscreens for the risk reduction of certain skin cancers, where chemical sunscreen manufacturer do not promote this fact because they don’t have conclusive events. The CDC in the USA concluded that chemical sunscreens could even increase your risk of melanoma.

Research studies by Dr. Sara Gandini, who reviewed and combined over 60 existing research studies in a meta-analysis on the risk factors for melanoma, reported the following risks: large number of moles +589%, red hair +264%, Skin Type 1 +109%, sunburns +103%, intermittent sun exposure +61%. The study reported that “chronic” (defined as regular, continuous) sun exposure REDUCED the risk of melanoma by 5%. This is consistent with scientific studies of outdoor workers who have greater sun exposure and a lower risk of melanoma than indoor workers.

Canadian provinces with higher sunny days in the warmer months like AB, SK and MB have lower rates of melanoma. Provinces with fewer sunny days such as the maritime provinces of NL, PE, NB and NS have higher rates of melanoma.
Source: Environment Canada and Canadian Cancer Society
Outside sun exposure has been decreasing for the past 75 years. Because our jobs have moved indoors, we get our food from the grocery store and don’t hunt or grow it anymore. Melanoma rates have been increasing at the same rate. How is it possible that sun or UV exposure be the direct cause of melanoma when people are spending less time outdoors and when outside they are covered in chemical sunscreen? In addition, with our modern lifestyle people just don’t spend enough time out in the sun, especially between 10am-2pm in summer.

As Melanoma incidence in the USA increased, so did chemical sunscreen sales.

In the UK, 7 medical organizations, including: British Association of Dermatologists, Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK, Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Heart Forum, National Osteoporosis Society and Primary Dermatology Society have urged people to enjoy the sun safely and take care not to burn, helping to ensure the benefits of vitamin D can be enjoyed without the risk of skin cancer being raised unnecessarily.

MD Promoting Vitamin D to prevent flu this winter

An online medical lab site is promoting research connecting optimal vitamin D blood levels with lower risk of flu in the winter — another endorsement of vitamin D.

“Flu season is just about upon the U.S., and this means that many people will soon start coming down with infections. However, a vitamin D test may help individuals prepare for the season and understand if they need to do more to boost their immune system,” PrivateMDlabs.com reports in a newsletter this month. “A 2005 study published in the FASEB Journal showed that vitamin D plays a crucial role in the production of certain types of white blood cells that are need for fighting off infections. A deficiency of the nutrient may leave individuals short on these important molecules.”

The post continues, “This is why vitamin D testing is so important. It can give individuals a sense of how well their immune system is functioning. Low levels of the nutrient may indicate a susceptibility to infections. Higher levels could mean individuals are less likely to come down with a cold or the flu.”

Other groups, including the non-profit vitamin D council, promote the sunshine vitamin as a key to reducing the risk of autoimmune diseases, including influenza and the flu.

To read the PriveMDlabs post click here. http://www.privatemdlabs.com/blood-testing-news/Vitamin_D_Deficiency-Diagnosis_and_Treatment_/Vitamin-D-may-be-key-to-avoiding-illnesses-this-flu-season—$800607038.php

Study: UV Vitamin D Reduces Cancer Risk

In a study of 70,000 women, scientists concluded that sufficient UVB exposure was the key element in boosting vitamin D production – and that diet or nutritional supplements only play a supporting role.

These are the findings of researchers from the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale[INSRM]) in Paris, obtained during a study published in the professional journal Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers.

The scientists state that regular sun exposure and a vitamin D-rich diet reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by around 32 to 43 percent. They also surmise that the deciding factor in prevention is exposure to adequate UVB rays. Admittedly, food that is rich in vitamin D, such as fish, dairy products, eggs and certain types of oils or food supplements, can boost the effects of the sun, but used alone, researchers believe they have little effect on the occurrence or progression of the disease.

According to the Sunlight Research Forum, in this study, scientists observed approximately 70,000 women during a period of 10 years. In this time, 2,871 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed. According to the study, women who live in sunny regions such as Provence and who eat a vitamin D-rich diet have a far lower risk of developing breast cancer than women who have less sun exposure, who live in cloudier areas and who ingest less vitamin D through their food or food supplements.

The conclusion of the research group is: “A high dose of vitamin D via exposure to sunlight and nutrition is necessary in order to obtain a sufficient protective effect against breast cancer. However, this value is very difficult for women to achieve in northern countries as the sunlight in these regions is not strong enough to ensure a sufficient supply of vitamin D.” Furthermore, the scientists explain, following the time of menopause, it is far more difficult to achieve the protective effect from the combination of sun and a vitamin-D rich diet.

Reference

Pierre Engel, Guy Fagherazzi, Sylvie Mesrine, Marie-Christine Boutron-Ruault, Francoise Clavel-Chapelonet: “Joint Effects of Dietary Vitamin D and Sun Exposure on Breast Cancer Risk: Results from the French E3N Cohort” in Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20:187-198.

“UV Benefits Outweigh Risks”…New study says

The health benefits of carefully increased UV exposure — from the sun or from sunbeds — outweigh the disputed and often-oversimplified risks of permanent skin damage, according to an Oslo University study published in the journal Public Health Nutrition this week.

The study — supported by the Norwegian Cancer Society — pointed out that increased sun exposure to the Norwegian population would elevate depressed vitamin D blood levels by 25 nmol/L, which “might result in 4,000 fewer internal cancers and about 3,000 fewer cancer deaths overall” — a finding they credit to their previous work and Harvard University vitamin D researcher Dr. Edwin Giovannucci’s previous paper published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Dr. Johan Moan, of the University of Oslo, was the lead author of the new paper. Contrasting the UV-induced health benefit with the possible risks of UV exposure, the authors wrote, is more complex than many believe.

“Sun exposure is commonly supposed to be the main cause of cutaneous malignant melanoma in most populations. However, the matter is disputed,” Moan and colleagues wrote. “Intermittent sun exposure and severe sunburn in childhood are associated with an increased risk of (melanoma)” but “occupational exposure (farmers, fisherman) and regular weekend sun exposure are associated with decreased risk… Sun exposure may even protect against (melanoma) on shielded sites.”

They continued, “It has also been observed that patients with the highest blood levels of vitamin D have thinner (melanomas) and better survival prognosis.”

The paper noted that while some studies suggest a relationship between sunbed use and melanoma, others show no association. Making any assessment more difficult, “There has been a significant increase in the number of sunbed exposures in Norway after 1990, but (melanoma) incidence rates among persons younger than 50 years have stabilized.”

The authors want health authorities to take all of this into better perspective rather than issuing blanket anti-UV statements.

“Due to the fear of skin cancer, health authorities warn against sun and sunbed exposure. This policy, as well as the recommended vitamin D doses, may need revision,” the authors write. “UV from the sun and sunbeds is the main vitamin D source. Young people with white or pigmented skin in northern Europe have low vitamin D status. A number of health benefits from sufficient levels of vitamin D have been identified.”

Tanning FAQ’S

Although you may understand the facts about tanning, there’s a good chance that your friends and family don’t. Most likely, you’ve heard a lot of disturbing comments from them about tanning. Here are a few common misconceptions about Tanning.

TANNING FAQ’S

Q: IS TANNING JUST AS DANGEROUS AS SMOKING?
A: FALSE: Tanning is a natural bodily function. It’s your body’s natural defense against sunburn, and your body produces natural, healthy Vitamin D as a result. Smoking is an unnatural process that your body rejects, and offers no health benefit whatsoever. Plus, indoor tanning is the most controlled environment possible to get a tan, and controlling sunburn is what is most important.

Q: Is there such a thing as a safe tan?
A: The word “safe” means “zero risk.” It could just as easily be said that it isn’t “safe” not to tan. There’s plenty of research that says totally avoiding the sun can increase your risk of many forms of cancer, including skin cancer. See the links below to learn the truth behind this subject.

Q: Does tanning cause skin cancer?
A: This is like saying that water causes drowning, when in fact we need water to survive, just as without sunshine we would all die. Studies clearly define the biggest risk factors for skin cancer as repeated sunburn and heredity. Fair skinned, freckled people should especially be careful not to SUNBURN as this is what has been shown to possibly contribute to skin cancer. There are many many other studies suggesting that people who receive regular sun exposure are at lower risk for many forms of cancer. See the links at the bottom of this page for more info on this subject.

Q: Why do I always hear that tanning is not healthy?
A: Unfortunately, those that benefit from your fear of the sun (big pharmeceutical companies who make huge profits on sunscreen sales, and the cosmetic dermatology industry who want you to get your “UV light treatments” in their offices for much more money than you pay at your tanning salon) are behind the anti sun message. Your fear of the sun equals big money in their pockets. There are a growing number of doctors, researchers, and even some dermatologists, who are beginning to see the studies being done on the health benefits of MODERATE UV light exposure. It is now a known fact that the body NATURALLY produces lots of healthy vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin!) when exposed to UVB light. And the benefits of Vitamin D are far too many to mention here. For a more thorough answer go to www.thesunscam.com or see the LINKS at the bottom of this page and the VIDEOS page at www.sunbanque.com for plenty of good information on this subject. The key to healthy UV light exposure is to never sunburn, as this will in fact damage your skin. We recommend you do your own research and look at both sides of this issue so that you can determine what makes the most sense when it comes to your health.

Q: Why do my hands, face and/or legs not tan as well as the rest of my body?
A: First, consider why the face might give us tanning problems. The face is constantly exposed to the weather which toughens the skin making it harder to tan. Women put make-up on the face. Just as the chemicals in some make-up can make the skin photosensitive to UV light, it is possible that some chemicals in make-ups might hinder the tanning process. Removing all make-up before tanning is always advised.
Men shave, and this scraping of the skin, along with any preparations used to ready the skin and whiskers for the process, play a part in helping the skin shed tanned cells more quickly.
The skin’s renewal cycle takes about a month and skin cells that have finished their cycle lie on the skin’s surface until shaved or washed away. Since these cells also tan, the skin sheds or loses some of its tan when it is cleansed. Many people cleanse the face even more often than the rest of the body, thereby hastening the sloughing of tanned skin cells.
The legs present a slightly different situation. Some people experience a problem tanning their legs in a stand-up unit and should try a tanning bed instead. In a tanning bed, position might be checked. Feet should be spread for half the session, then together for half to expose all sides of the legs.
If a tanner is over 40, it helps to know, this is about the age that the body begins to lose melanocytes, the pigment cells that help the skin tan. Controlled, systematic exposures can slowly replenish what has been lost.
To optimize your ability to tan every exposed part of the body, indoor tanning lotion should be worn on every area of skin exposed! Remember that clean, moist skin tans best.

Q: Can someone who has a tattoo, scars from burns or incisions tan indoors? Should special attention be given to these areas, where skin is more sensitive?
A: Really there are a couple different situations that need to be addressed a little differently. Persons with fresh tattoos have had chemicals injected into their skin, which can make that local area very sensitive to UV exposure while the tattoo is still healing. After about two to three weeks, when the skin has had a chance to heal, people should cover their tattoos with sunscreen or chapstick to protect the tattoo from further exposure. At this point the chemicals have lost their photosensitivity. The tattoo, though, has the ability to fade with exposure to UV, whether that UV comes from indoors or outdoors.
Scars are a little different issue. Here, the skin has tried to compensate for damage done to the affected area. In most cases, scars, whether from incisions or from burns, generally don’t tan very well. Instead, they often become sensitive to UV exposure, and can burn more easily. Persons with scars are advised to use sunscreen on those areas to minimize UV exposure.

Q: What causes white spots?
A: There are many reasons for white spots. The following are some of the more commonly known reasons for white spots and what can be done to even out the color of the skin.

One reason for white spots is vitiligo. Usually these spots are fewer in number and larger in size. The melanocyte cells in the affected area are beginning to degenerate and die off. Treating these spots requires medical attention.

Another reason for white spots is a scalp fungus known as tinea versicolor. This microscopic fungus flakes off of the scalp on to the upper body, just like dandruff, and remains unnoticed until a person starts to tan. Home remedies for these problem spots include shampoos like extra strength Head and Shoulders and extra strength Selsun Blue. Sunbanque can also order you a special sunspot lotion to help eliminate these stubborn spots.

Skin needs three things in order to help it tan— UVA, UVB and oxygen. No oxygen, no tanning occurs. In the initial stages of tanning, oxygen comes from the bloodstream underneath the skin. The pressure created on certain spots of the body from laying on the acrylic sheet constricts blood flow – that means little or no oxygen, and little or no tanning. By the way, this kind of white spot can happen to anyone who lies still on the acrylic sheet. Body size is not the deciding factor. The remedy? Move. A person doesn’t need to roll over on the acrylic to do this. Those suffering from white spots on their back side should use the flat part of their right forearm and, if needed, the flat part of their right foot to raise up one side of the body from the acrylic sheet. Give your skin a chance to breathe. Lower that side, and then raise the other and do the same thing. Tanners might have to do this two or three times a session to maintain good circulation, but this practice should eliminate those white spots.

Q: I have reached a tanning plateau. How can I break through it?
A: It depends on what is causing the plateau. Sometimes a person needs to alternate between a couple of tanning lotions or oils, based on the nutritional and moisture needs of his or her skin. Medications, and even a poor diet, can cause a temporary plateau. A couple of cold, hard realities you may need to face are your tanning goals and limitations. If your goal is to look like a piece of charcoal, you may need to adjust your goal to something that is a little more realistic.

Everyone also has a genetic limitation. Skin type II individuals (lighter skin) won’t ever be able to reach the depth of color that a skin type V (dark skin) can achieve from tanning. If you happen to be a tanning addict, it’s probably time to give your skin a break. Organs usually require at least occasional rest, including skin. You might want to take a reasonable break from tanning to allow your skin to properly rebuild itself. If you are still unsatisfied, you may need to try a bronzer from a bottle, or the Versa Spa airbrush SUNLESS Tan booth.

Q: Can ringworm be contracted from a tanning bed?
A: Ringworm (which is not really a worm) is a contagious fungus, but would be difficult to prove that the fungus came from tanning equipment. Smart Tan salons like Sunbanque properly sanitize tanning equipment between every session. While ringworm can be transmitted through both contaminated objects (such as a wrestling mat) and improper personal hygiene, by far the fungus seems to be spread by direct physical contact with pets, or other people (e.g. wrestlers, or a child in a child care setting) and improper personal hygiene. One of our top priorities at Sunbanque is cleanliness and hygiene.

Q: How do medications alter the tanning process? Which types of medicines should I avoid while tanning?
A: Medications and other substances (e.g. dyes used to tattoo the skin, certain foods, etc.) can sensitize a person’s skin to ultraviolet light. The reaction to that sensitivity could either be photoallergic (where the skin reacts to UV exposure by breaking out), or photophobic (where a person must protect his or her eyes from brighter light sources). The most common reaction is photosensitivity. Photosensitivity occurs when the level of UV exposure needed to produce a burn is reduced. So instead of helping someone to tan more easily, photosensitizing agents should be thought of in terms of how easily they cause a person to burn.

The best way to determine if a medication has photosensitizing potential is to consult with the prescribing medical practitioner or pharmacist. Basically if the wording on the bottle says “avoid sunlight” then do not tan, if it says “may cause sensitivity to sunlight” then it is ok to tan but be careful on your exposure times as you could sunburn easier than you normally would. Sunbanque has access to an extensive listing of agents that have been identified as photosensitizing. Let us know if you need a copy.

Q: What causes tanning rashes?
A: There are several ways a person could get rashes from tanning. The most common, by far, is sun poisoning. Sun poisoning most commonly looks like rashes. Essentially, sun poisoning is the result of too intense exposure(s) during initial tanning sessions. Another cause of tanning related rashes is photoallergy. Most salon operators are familiar with photosensitivity, the sensitivity to ultraviolet light that is caused by certain medications and foods. Photoallergy is an allergic reaction that is produced when combining ultraviolet light exposure with certain medications. One type of allergic reaction could be the formation of rashes. If rashes are just on one side of your body or around the eyes, then they are probably due to a response to the sanitizer that is being used on the acrylic and protective eyewear. Even when mixed as directed, some people with more sensitive skin will develop a reaction to the sanitizer we use to disinfect the tanning beds. The preventive step is to rinse off the residue of the sanitizer with water after we have completely sanitized the acrylic or eyewear. Let us know if you think this is the problem and we will rinse the acrylic with water for you. In rare cases, you could develop a temporary rash from a reaction to a specific ingredient in a tanning lotion that you used. It is thought that most lotion-related rashes are caused by inexperienced tanning operators and/or inexperienced “tingle”-based tanning lotion users. New tanners need to start out with low or no-“tingle” tanning lotions and then gradually condition their skin for the hotter lotions, if they so desire.

Q: How often can I tan?
A: When first starting out we recommend tanning every other day, so as to avoid a skin damaging sunburn. The body continues to tan for 24 hours after your tanning session so there isn’t a need to go 2 days in a row, especially when beginning a tanning program. If you are already tanned, or when you get to a nice color, or if you want to get darker quicker, then it is ok to tan once a day until you reach your desired color, but only after you have a base tan.

Q: Can outdoor tanning lotions be used with indoor tanning equipment?
A: No, outdoor tanning lotions can not be used indoors as they ruin the tanning acrylic. The same goes for baby oil and other outdated tanning technology. Even if outdoor lotions didn’t ruin tanning acrylic you would still want to avoid them, mainly because they will cloud up the acrylic and not allow the UV light to get through and you will tan LESS. The question to ask is, “What kind of tan are you hoping to achieve?” If you wanted a cheap tan, you could go to a discount store, get a discount lotion, step outdoors and get a discount tan.” But if you want a professional result, Sunbanque is the place to come. “Not only do we use professional equipment, the tanning products we carry deliver a professional result.” A couple of things are happening during the tanning process. First, your body is losing moisture. This is natural, and will take place whether you tan indoors or out. Professional tanning products include high-quality moisturizers and nutrients that your skin needs to replenish what was lost. Second, despite our tanning equipment’s powerful capabilities, everyone has a natural tanning limitation. Most lack the nutrients skin needs in order to achieve its maximum tanning potential. Professional tanning products provide these. So feed your skin what it’s starving for.

SOME USEFUL & EDUCATIONAL LINKS:

www.wearesunshine.com

www.thesunscam.com

www.tanningtruth.com

www.sunscare.com

www.drsorenson.blogspot.com

www.vitaminddoc.com

www.uvadvantage.org

www.vitamindsociety.org

www.uvfoundation.org

www.grassrootshealth.net

www.healthresearchforum.org

www.vitamindcouncil.org

The Missing Link To Achieving Optimal Health – Vitamin D

There is no better person to de-mystify the essential role of Vitamin D and the essential relationship it plays in maintaining human health than this man;

Michael F. Holick, MD-PhD is truly the father of modern Vitamin D research!

Here are a few things he reveals in his latest book – The Vitamin D Solution.

He has dedicated more than 30 years studying the powerful role of Vitamin D in our overall health and well-being and the many ailments associated with Vitamin D deficiency, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and bone-related illnesses such as osteoporosis. Dr Holick’s findings conclude that Vitamin D deficiency is the most common medical condition in the world. It is estimated that two thirds of the US population or over 200 million people severely lack sufficient levels of vitamin D, potentially resulting in many serious chronic health conditions, ranging from daily annoyances like fatigue and pain, to life-threatening illnesses.

Who is Dr Michael Holick?

• Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics
• Director of the General Clinical Research Center
• Director of the Vitamin D, Skin and Bone Research Laboratory
• Director, Biologic Effects of Light Research Center
• Boston University Medical Center

Few People Know Why Vitamin D Is So Important
In his latest book, Vitamin D Solution, Dr. Holick shares how combining the natural curative properties of consistent and moderate sun exposure along with small but significant lifestyle changes can substantially improve your overall health and longevity. Dr. Holick recommends that you get your Vitamin D from the sun, first and foremost, and only use supplementation as an added boost to get your Vitamin D level up to where it should be for maintaining optimal health. Dr Holick also reports that this is a “sensible approach on how to get vitamin D from sun exposure without causing significant damage or increasing risk of skin cancer”.
Dr Holick found that “a person in a bathing suit exposed to a minimal erythemic dose of sunlight, which is typically no more than 15-20 minutes on Cape Cod in June or July at noon time, is the equivalent to 20,000 IU of Vitamin D supplements orally”.
Most tanning equipment – tanning bed, tanning booth, home tanning beds, tanning systems, stand up tanning units – emit both UVA & UVB light just like the Sun. Therefore, use of a tanning bed as an alternate natural source of essential Vitamin D, will potentially provide the same healthy results. And did you know that the US FDA regulates the indoor tanning equipment industry? Many scientists, researchers, and doctors, including the Vitamin D Council, agree with Dr Holick that UVB light is one of the best sources for natural Vitamin D production.

Dr Holick’s Vitamin D Solution Suggests a Simple Three-Step Plan

• Enjoy safe amounts of sun exposure

• Add the right supplements

• Eat foods rich in Vitamin D

His advice is applicable to everyone, not just those suffering from chronic or even fatal diseases, but relatively healthy individuals as well. His plan shows how easy it is to rebuild and maintain optimal levels of health by increasing this essential and vital hormone – Vitamin D!

The good news is that Dr. Holick’s Vitamin D Solution offers a real “solution” to our Vitamin D deficiency. He reminds us to “enjoy deliberate sun exposure, make sure to have adequate amounts of calcium in your diet so that the Vitamin D can be maximized for health, and make up the difference in your Vitamin D deficiency with supplementation.”

Vitamin D’s Potential Role – Lowering Cancer Risk Naturally

For over 50 years, scientists around the world have paid special attention to the fact that the development of most forms of cancer was considerably less for the populace residing in sunny climates, but their research was unable to pinpoint the correlation. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that light was finally shed on this highly debated topic. This is how the story unfolded. Scientists finally discovered the vital role of Vitamin D – It controls and regulates cell growth in most systems in the body. This amazing discovery led to many additional worldwide studies about the relationship of Vitamin D and the potential reduction of cancer risk – including breast cancer. The details of this research illustrated that humans needed much higher vitamin D levels than those previously recommended.
Studies also revealed that increasing Vitamin D levels could easily be achieved naturally through regular and moderate exposure to UVB rays. And when it is not possible to get sun exposure due to daily schedules, season or weather, electric sun from a commercial tanning bed or home tanning bed is a viable option for your own Vitamin D Solution.

How Is Vitamin D Produced Naturally From Sunlight?

First it is important to clarity that Vitamin D isn’t really a vitamin. According to Dictionary.com the definition of Vitamin is “any of a group of organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and nutrition and are required in small quantities in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body”.

If Vitamin D is Not Really a Vitamin, What is it?
It is a hormone and hormones are produced in the human body naturally. When our skin is exposed to the sun, specifically UVB or the ultraviolet B ray in sunlight, the natural process of Vitamin D production begins and a chemical reaction takes place within both the liver and kidneys. Together this creates a form of Vitamin D which is carried throughout the bloodstream to the rest of your body. Another amazing function of your body’s natural processes is that it auto-regulates or is designed to produce only the right amount of Vitamin D naturally from the sun’s or a tanning bed’s healthy UVB light. So you get just the right amount of Vitamin D and your body will never produce too much!

Enjoy Summer Sun – Get Essential Vitamin D Naturally

Beginning in October, or fall to early spring, half of the US population will be unable to enjoy Vitamin D’s healing powers by being outdoors. In many states, the earth is too far from the sun during these seasons to benefit our bodies in the natural production of essential Vitamin D. There are still a few summer days remaining to enjoy safe sun and get your Vitamin D naturally. According to the US Indoor Tanning Association, you may be amongst the 20-25 million Americans who enjoy regular visits to a tanning salon as an alternative to getting natural Vitamin D from healthy UVB rays.