• There is no such thing as a safe tan. A tan indicates that your skin is damaged. When the tan fades, the damage will still be there
• Each time your skin is exposed to the sun or to ultraviolet rays (UVR) from tanning equipment, and it becomes tanned or burned, damage is done to individual cells including their D.N.A.
• The damage to your skin is cumulative, meaning it builds up with each exposure. Skin damage from UVR exposure never heals
• All UVR can cause premature aging, eye damage, skin cancer and immune suppression (when your immune system does not function as well as it should to protect your body from diseases caused mostly by bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi)
• A “base tan” will not protect you from getting a burn—it actually causes more skin damage. A tan is equivalent to a sunscreen with SPF of just 2 – 4. It’s your body’s way of shielding itself from the burning rays of the sun
• To help protect yourself follow these six sun safety recommendations
• If you really want to look tanned, try applying a self-tanning cream that will colour your skin and give you the appearance of a tan. Remember, tanning creams do not protect against UVR so use a sunscreen
• No skin type is protected against skin cancer, but people with a fair or freckled complexion or skin that burns easily are at higher risk
• Tanning is not a safe way to get Vitamin D. The best way to get Vitamin D daily is through food such as milk or milk alternatives like fortified soy beverage, or through vitamin supplements. Check Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide to learn what to eat. Ask your doctor if you should be taking Vitamin D supplements

• Get the facts about indoor tanning
• No tan is a safe tan
• About skin cancer
• Test your knowledge about tanning and skin cancer

Last updated May 2011