Update on tanning: More risks, fewer benefits

“…Methods to tan the skin in the absence of UV-exposure were reviewed by O'Leary and colleagues in 2014 [27]. Topical cosmeceutical tanning products, which do not provide any UV radiation protection, include water-soluble topical bronzers and longer-acting compounds that produce a tan color when placed on the stratum corneum and fade with the sloughing of dead skin cells.…”

Section: Approaches To Reduce Uv Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, oral pills containing canthaxanthin or beta-carotene have been used to darken skin color, though side effects can range from retinopathy and aplastic anemia to increased rate of lung cancers in users who smoke. Injectable α-MSH analogues, such as afamelanotide, are being studied for photoprotective effects for patients with a variety of skin diseases, while unregulated α-MSH analogues including melanotan I and II are not approved (unclear safety and efficacy data) [27].…”

Section: Approaches To Reduce Uv Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Ultraviolet Exposure Behaviors on Skin Pigmentation and Melanoma

Hawryluk¹,

Oztan²

2014

Pigmentary Disorders

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Tanning refers to the practice of darkening the pigment of one's skin through exposure to natural sunlight or artificial Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Studies have explored the molecular mechanism of tanning induced by UV radiation exposure. UV radiation triggers DNA damage in the nucleus of keratinocytes, which induces production of melanin by melanocytes. The melanin is then transported to keratinocytes and manifests as darker pigmentation. An increasing amount of data accumulate to support a role for UV exposure in the development of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. This article reviews the body of literature reporting the effects of UV exposure on melanocyte biology, skin pigmentation, and melanoma.

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“…We did not assess sunbathing practices among our patients. O'Leary recently reported that approximately 10 % of the US population uses indoor tanning devices, with 29.3 % of non-Hispanic white female high school students reporting the use of indoor tanning during the past 12 months [5]. We also assume that due to cultural differences, American adolescents are more likely to sunbathe than those in Japan.…”

mentioning

confidence: 94%

Response to Hotta: High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency among patients with anorexia nervosa in Japan

2014

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Dear Editor, We read with interest Dr. Hotta's letter reporting the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in a cohort of Japanese patients with anorexia nervosa. Of note, only 2 of the 63 (3 %) Japanese patients studied were taking a multivitamin supplement containing vitamin D2 [1]. In our study, 85 % of patients reported taking vitamin D supplements [2]. In addition, our patients' mean body mass index (BMI) was 18±1.6 kg/m 2 , whereas their sample included a much lower mean BMI of 14.6±2.5 kg/m 2 . Thus, the degree of malnutrition was significantly worse among their study subjects than ours. Our patients reported drinking 1.7 glasses of vitamin D-supplemented milk daily [2]. Dr. Hotta's letter did not specify milk consumption in the Japanese cohort. However, given the high incidence of lactose malabsorption among Japanese children, reported at 85 % in one report of school children [3], it is likely that Hotta's cohort was consuming much less vitamin D-fortified milk than our American patients.Hotta mentioned a reduction in the consumption of seafood products as a possible contributor to the increase in prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among the general Japanese population. We did not specifically evaluate seafood consumption in our patients. Interestingly, Vaz et al. have reported food aversions, including fish aversion in patients with anorexia nervosa. However, the level of fish avoidance was lower than that of fresh meat, cereals, milk/egg derivatives, and other foods. Patients with anorexia nervosa reported avoiding all foods, but avoiding fish products to a lesser degree than other food products [4]. An anecdotal impression is that patients with anorexia nervosa tend to prefer seafood as a relatively lean protein alternative.Hotta also mentioned recent trends in Japan toward avoidance of sunbathing. We did not assess sunbathing practices among our patients. O'Leary recently reported that approximately 10 % of the US population uses indoor tanning devices, with 29.3 % of non-Hispanic white female high school students reporting the use of indoor tanning during the past 12 months [5]. We also assume that due to cultural differences, American adolescents are more likely to sunbathe than those in Japan.In summary, our patients were relatively healthier, more likely to be taking a vitamin D supplement, more likely to be drinking vitamin D-supplemented milk, equally or more likely to be eating seafood products, and more likely to have been sunbathing. These factors provide the likely explanation for the discrepancy in the results between our study group and that of Hotta. References 1. Hotta M (2014) High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency among patients with anorexia nervosa in Japan. Osteoporosis Int.

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Update on tanning: More risks, fewer benefits

Cited by 34 publications

References 73 publications

Indoor Tanning, Skin Cancer and the Young Female Patient: A Review of the Literature

Indoor Tanning, Skin Cancer and the Young Female Patient: A Review of the Literature

Effects of Ultraviolet Exposure Behaviors on Skin Pigmentation and Melanoma

Response to Hotta: High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency among patients with anorexia nervosa in Japan

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