Nothing does the battered soul so well as a concentrated load of sun. The connection between sunlight and well-being was already known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. There, they tried to cure epilepsy, jaundice or asthma with sunlight. Today’s view is somewhat different: although sunlight is used therapeutically in medicine, at the same time it is considered extremely harmful to the skin.
Sunlight against winter depression
Many people suffer from so-called winter depression between October and March. They feel tired and listless, have ravenous appetite and gain weight accordingly and are often deeply sad. In Scandinavian countries, the suicide rate increases significantly during this time. Sunlight controls various processes in the body; among other things, it serves as a timer. The light reaches the brain via the eye and electrical impulses on the skin. Here, the “light-dark” information is used to release certain chemical messengers. These include melatonin, which promotes sleep, and the “good mood makers” serotonin and norepinephrine. So it seems to make sense to get some sun from the solarium.
Sun from the socket is dangerous
The UV radiation contained in sunlight is dangerous. A sure indication of this is the rapid increase in skin cancer cases. The number of new cases was almost four times higher at the end of the 1990s compared with 1970. In Germany, around 100,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year – and the trend is rising. It is true that every skin tolerates a limited amount of UV radiation, regardless of whether it is natural or artificial. In solariums, however, mainly UVA rays are used. Although they provide a light tan, they also contribute to skin aging and promote the development of skin cancer. In addition, a visit to a solarium is no good as a preparation for a vacation, because the tan caused by UVA rays does not protect against sunburn caused by UVB rays. Dermatologists and scientists, as well as the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), now completely reject the sun at the touch of a button.
Medical light therapy
From the clear warnings against the artificial sun, light therapies, which are used, for example, for some skin diseases such as psoriasis (psoriasis) or neurodermatitis, are explicitly excluded. Here, the type and amount of irradiation are controlled by the physician. This limited recommendation is contrasted by the established knowledge that sunlight causes skin cancer. The newest realizations let fear namely also that the past concept of the skin cancer prevention by sun protection means is no longer durable. Conversely, this could possibly even mean that a stay in the sun through sunscreens increases the skin cancer risk even more. People with winter depression have other remedies available. In addition to medically supervised light therapy with devices that are free of UVA, -B and -C radiation, simply allowing more light into the home or workplace can help. Curtain-free rooms with many and bright lamps can combat low mood. Plenty of exercise and fresh air do the rest.
Check solarium!
Who nevertheless does not want to do without the visit in the solarium, which should take his tanning salon before exactly under the magnifying glass. With the Solarium check, which the working group Dermatologische prevention registered association together with the Federal Office for radiation protection published, it can be tested completely simply point for point. If an item on the list cannot be checked off, then the solarium should definitely not be used.
The solarium check:
The tanning salon is a supervised tanning salon (no coin-operated machines! )advised me of the health hazards and handed me information about the effects of UV radiation
The staff
- Does not allow people under 18 years or with skin type 1 on the tanning bed
- Inquired if I was taking any medication and pointed out that I should be on the tanning bed without makeup and perfume
- Has determined my skin type
- Asked me how long ago was my last visit to the solarium
- Has calculated my initial tanning time
- Has inquired about any sunburns and skin diseases
- Has given me (unasked) a pair of goggles
The tanning device
- Is provided with the notice “Caution! UV radiation can cause damage to eyes and skin.Follow protection instructions!”
- Belongs to device type II or III according to the notice on the solarium.
- Is provided with information on the maximum initial irradiation and maximum maximum irradiation
- Turns off automatically after the maximum irradiation time
