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To tan or not to Tan, that is the question?

I have noticed on occasions references to the application of sun block/ combined block and repellant. This is from various people and on a few threads.

I have the feeling that the El Gringo with his/her fair skin will be compelled to splash this stuff all over themselves.

Before I was 20 Y,O. I served in the middle and far east. Aden, remember that place?

The Regiment and I would bask in the sun for as long as we could without thought to the effects that could evolve. We were going to be ‘Babe magnets' when we got back to ‘Blighty'.

We did experiment with some local oils, my favourite was OM13, which was used as a lubricating and hydraulic oil in desert conditions. Result? We got out tan. The expense? We smelled like a Browning, MG. M1919 A 4. Fixed or flexible.

The following is a short extract from a document published by R Baker. A research biologist of some 30 years.

1. Despite all the hype, the evidence that sun screens prevent skin cancer is poor to non existent. The evidence that they may increase the risk is strong enough to give rise to real worries.

2. Skin cancer is thought to be caused when the DNA is affected by UV rays. The cells are mutated and rogue cells divide and mass. A tumour.

3. Sun screens contain manufactured chemicals that would not normally cover the body. Research has proven that chemicals cause the triggers that cause cancers on the skin. These dangers have been realised relatively recently.

4. In 1935 the chance of a person in Britain developing malignant melanoma was 1 : 1500. By 2000 it was 1 : 75. The amount of melanomas has risen roughly in line with the amount of sun screen sold.

5. There is no doubt that sun screen prevents the skin peeling and sun burn, which is the natural manner of protection, so the use of the screen prevents the layers of damaged skin from leaving the body is the inference.

6. In spite of everything the evidence is - when we step back from the dogmatic advice and advertising hype, we just do not know.

7. A study involving 1000s of fair skinned people in the mid 90s shows that of those using a sun cream containing a substance called Psoralen compared to those who had not used it were four times more likely to develop melanomas.

8. Finally, chemical interference with the natural actions of nature should be the last resort, as opposed to the first. Cover up, sombrero, etc. Do not be scared of the sun though, we need the vitamin D that is for healthy bones and skin. there ae other named chemicals in sun screens which have been proven to cause skin disorders by attacking the natural body defences.

9. It's like sex really, everything in moderation.

My personal view? I have never used sun block. I cannot remember anyone in the regiment who did, (the macho thing I suspect) I also never and don't until this day know of anyone who had solar carcinoma or malignant melanoma.

PLEASE. Do not rely on the basis of this article to stop using sun screen, that is something that you have to consider very carefully in the light of all the evidence available.

PS: you can get a more even tan sitting in the shade of the trees in a light wind on a sunny day. And its easier to swig from your beer into the bargain.

By ARMacleod on Feb 20, 2005, 08:16 in Friendly Talkzone.

sandramoreno80 says on Feb 20, 2005, 11:11:

I must admit that I love a good tan and I love being tanned. It is a vice that I indulge in when I go over to Colombia because I will never get one in London, so I am all pasty during most of the year, then when I go to Colombia I get my tan.

I have noticed that I have got skin pigmentation (freckles) on my face that has been caused by sun damage (due to my not using sun screen while I was living in Colombia) and I still do not use when when I am in Armenia.

But I do use sunscreen, always 30-50 SPF and you can still get a great tan. But I guess that is because I have a "moreno" gene, because my mum is really white, we call her "un vaso de leche" she is so white and she has never, never been able to tan, just slightly on her arms. But she burns, whatever sunscreen she puts on if she really exposes herself, she just can not sunbathe.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 20, 2005, 11:21:

you're mum looks almost like me:) Just kidding, but I know what you mean. I lived in Cali for 12 years and never was able to get a decent tan. The best I could get was the color of a soda cracker with freckles on my arms. I can't stay out in the sun more than 10 minutes without gettng a sunburn, an itchy, bitchy, painful burn. I went to San Andrés two years ago and had to use sunblock all the time, my skin got hot and pinkish, but no sunburn.
I've decided to give up on getting a tan. It's unhealthy, looks cheesy and is totally unfashionable here (Sweden) Sour grapes???

Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Lionheart says on Feb 20, 2005, 12:33:

adds proof to my theory "The amount of melanomas has risen roughly in line with the amount of sun screen sold."

Like I wrote in other thread, the LITE/DIET/FREE OF XXXX contamination makes people fat and/or causes caucer. I believe using natural oils on your skin protect your skin and condition it for extensive sun usage. And why shouldn't classical gun oil be good for you? I would check on modern stuff, assuming there are synthetic components in there, and stay away from them in general. The best protection to use is cheap olive oil. Why?

All civilisations around the Mediterrnean Sea have been using it for thousands of years. And they survived and conditioned generations to the sun. Vikings and Eskimos used whale oil (lubber) to protect them from the dangerous sunrays on their oceans. Tibetians use Yakbutter (yuck).

"It's like sex really, everything in moderation." BAH!! Exprience the wonders of giving each other a warm oil massage and forget moderation ... pun intended.

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Hunter says on Feb 20, 2005, 12:40:

Interesting Thanks JamsVH.

OM 13 hydraulic oil certainly brings back some memories.

Hunter

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jaramillo says on Feb 20, 2005, 14:56:

I use the stuff... Interesting post. I think the increase in melanoma that has paralleled the increase in sun block use give one some pause. These products are a veritable organic chemistry cocktail, and some may be carcinogenic. However, it is also worth considering that part of the problem is that because they do prevent sunburn people tend to abuse sunbathing. When I was little we would go to Cartagena, and although I would tan, my parents would limit sunbathing to the 9-11 and 4-6 hours. Now you see gringos that previously would look as red as a lobster sunbathing all day, thanks to sun block. As a consequence UV damage may be worsened. The false sense of security you get with these products is probably dangerous.

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dwmte says on Feb 20, 2005, 16:22:

i'm a gringo.... and as such, reasonably fair skinned...kinda like a half an italian...

i've spent all my adult life working in so called climatic preferrence zones i.e. equatorial or just north of. i have never used any kinds of oils, protectors, or what have you. organic or synthetic.

the point is, i have lived out in desert sun, iran, north africa, india, palm springs, calif, etc and just worked/lived/played in direct sun for the last 40 + years. i surely get tanned, i just don't get dark brown/black. just tanned. if anyone has had intense sun exposure, it's me. but no problems, no flecks, bleaching, growths, etc. why? i don't know.

my wife uses and makes our daughter use all this wierd stuff. i don't trust it. i feel like the above post that puts a dull lite on the reliability of all this.

dw

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 20, 2005, 18:51:

Agree: False sense of security
I personally don't subscribe to the vegetative joy of lying in the sun with the aim of getting darker. Whatever tan I get is the result of whatever I do outside, which in summer-time usually means a blatant farmer's tan.

I'm good about wearing sun block when first venturing out in the season, becuase I'm at that time I'm just as easily burnt to a crisp as a redhead. After the unavoidable first burn of the season happens (usually unsuspectingly and out on the water -canoeing or kayaking - that's glare for ya) I tend to darken up and venture out with less care. Plus by August I'll sweat it off in 2 seconds if I'm active, then it invariably gets in the eyes..... ugh.

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ARMacleod says on Feb 20, 2005, 21:21:

One additional note I honestly don't want to do this subject to death but. If I may make so bold as to add one further paragraph.

The 'Experts' (I always have a problem slotting that word) Suggest that it takes up to 20 - 50 years for some cancers to develop, it's is just too early to say whether the cumulative use over a long period of time is not associated with an increased risk of skin disease.

Hexachloraphene which was frequently used as an antiseptic in baby soaps and talcs in the seventies was later blamed for causing brain damage and death in some children. Could there be a similar threat?

The book of interesting cases. Fragile Science by Robert Baker (Macmillan) 2001 it is very interesting.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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Lionheart says on Feb 20, 2005, 21:55:

I simply don't trust the "Experts" I am an expert in my field of work and I don't trust myself either. There is always room for improvement and I make mistakes. The skin starts crawling on my neck when I hear experts claim to be faultless, 100% sure, and nothing can happen ...

In this context I trust nothing man-made, because the majority of man-made substances have been proven dangerous to nature, and the biochemistry of our bodies is part of nature. Just because somethings seems to be safe to use today doesn't mean it won't prove to be fatal someday.

It irks me that hardly any research is done in comparison to nature's own supplies. The Chinese, Indians and indigenious people have thousands of years experience with these substances, yet our experts brush them aside. No ... it pisses me off ...

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calipro says on Feb 21, 2005, 02:47:

Alright now you really got me scared....... "9. It's like sex really, everything in moderation."

What happens to you if you have to much sex?

Nothing is safe anymore:-/

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dwmte says on Feb 21, 2005, 04:49:

too much sex..... isn't that an oxymoron?

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jaramillo says on Feb 21, 2005, 06:10:

Dangareous chemicals I agree with Lionheart 100%. I do not trust man made chemicals, and use them (e.g. drugs) when I absolutely need to. I regard Dupont as a criminal organization, far more dangerous than the mob (look at CFCs)!

Calipro, you can have all the sex you want as long as you wear a helmet.

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 21, 2005, 08:26:

A healthy respect for synthetics is good BUT Remember that many man-made medications are lab-constructed versions of chemicals that were discovered in nature. Ie Aspirin and Willow trees. Which chemicals have been added to, or modified, well I have no idea.

IMHO, The best sun protection is loose light weight clothing.

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