Blog - Page 12 of 12 - Miller Family Dermatology | Arlo Miller | Issaquah WA

Posted on May 1, 2012

Tanning for Prom

Q: I am sixteen and I want to go tanning for prom. I just dont know what to do-- whether spray tanning or in a bed tanning? I know tanning in a bed causes cancer, but if I just go for like 2 weeks everyother day will it hurt? A: Yes, it will. Studies have shown that people who have NEVER gone to a tanning bed have less skin cancer than people who have EVER gone. Even just a few times. Ask around and find out who does good spray tans in your area. No ill health effects from a spray tan at all. Once...

by Arlo Miller, MD, PhD

Posted on July 1, 2011

Melanoma, Tanning

Does occasional tanning damage my skin?

Q: Is tanning occasionally (1-10 times a year) damaging to my skin? I don't burn and have no family history of skin cancer? -Bothell, WA A: Doesn't matter if you burn or not. The tanning response requires genetic damage to the DNA in your skin cells in order for tanning to happen. Even tanning 10 times a year raises the risk of melanoma by 34%. Tanning also dramatically accelerates the aging process in your skin by completely shutting down collagen production temporarily....

by Arlo Miller, MD, PhD