By Miranda Massie, Healthy UBC Blogger

Summer is finally here and despite the questionable conditions outside at the moment, along with summer comes sun and with the sun comes UVA and UVB exposure. I will admit that I have been, and will always be, a dedicated sun worshipper. Nothing warms this Leo’s heart more than stretching out under the sun’s rays and basking in its glow. For me, over the years, the tan I developed on my skin was less of an added bonus and more the purposeful end result of spending prolonged periods of time outdoors. Time and time again I would disregard my mother’s instructions to “make sure you wear and re-apply your sunscreen” and I would proudly arrived back at school each September ready to show of the fruits of my summer labour; most of which was the product of irresponsible burns. My favourite days were the cloudy ones where I would convince myself that I didn’t need to wear sunscreen. Some of the worst burns incurred in my life happened on cloudy days and yet I would get excited at the prospect of what my tan might look like once the redness faded away.

Last year, I travelled through India and spent a significant amount of time on the beaches of Goa; if you have ever seen pictures, you know this was not a hard task to accomplish. Not wanting to burn while living in a beach hut with little ventilation and limited access to Aloe Vera, I made sure to buy SPF 50 and re-applied every two hours. Two months later, I arrived home barely recognizable because I had become so dark. Though I had managed a great tan, avoided getting burned and was receiving lots of complements on how great it looked, I started to think about the power of the sun. What was actually happening within my cells to create this look, despite my vigilant sunscreen applications, and what did this mean for my health in the future. I grew sick to my stomach thinking about it. Any colour on your skin means that those cells are already altered and that type of damage does not fade away when the tan does. I love a tan as much as the next person but I would rather lather up now if it means I will stay alive later. I realize that some damage may already be done from many of the burns I sustained throughout my teenage years, but I am now actively working to ensure that the largest organ in my body stays healthy.

Skin cancer is currently the most diagnosed form of cancer in Canada and is mostly preventable. Despite these facts, parents continue to allow their children to play in the park without sun screen or a hat and high school grads line up by the dozen at tanning salons come June. This is not acceptable. The funny part about my former tanning habits was that I was always anti-indoor tanning and yet I only realize now how hypocritical I was being for acting as equally irresponsible outside. After reading back through this article I would like to re-phrase my original statement: I used to be a devoted sun lover and tanner but am now a proudly reformed sun worshipper. I still love to lay out on a hot day but now I make sure to avoid the hottest hours, to wear and re-apply my sunscreen and if I really feel like I need a little colour boost, I get my tan from a bottle. [Not all tanning creams make you look streaky and orange, just do your research and try a few until you find the right one!]

~ Miranda Massie

Miranda is blogger for the Healthy UBC Blog, as well as an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Clerk in Health Promotion Programs at UBC. Miranda feels passionate about inspiring people to become active participants in their own health. To view more of Miranda’s blog posts visit the Healthy UBC Blog.