It's amazing how warm, sunny weather brings out the best in
people. Winter is over, and for most of
us the snow has receded to a deep dark corner of our memory and we are
languishing in the joy that is spring; robins (Lyme Disease), budding trees and
flowers (allergies) and lunches on patios (sunburns). For those of us of the female persuasion we
are also looking forward to doing away with tights, leggings and pantyhose in
favour of sandals, pretty toes and bare legs....
That is, unless you're afflicted with winter white skin like
me and have been blamed for burning the retinas of your colleagues' eyes the
first day you sport your bare legs on a warm spring day. In that case, you're probably scouring flyers
and scrolling through Groupons looking for the best deal on a spray tan or
tanning bed deal. However, this year you
may think twice about using tanning beds after reading an article that
highlights the fact that Tanning
Beds Can Spread Herpes and Other Pathogens!
According to Dr. David Goldberg, a dermatologist in the New
York area, "you may get more than just a nice glow the next time you get
into a tanning bed." The fact is that the UV light used to tan our skin is
not capable of killing the bacteria or viruses that may have been left on the
surface by the person who used the tanning bed before you. In fact, it is highly probable that the
technician who is showing you to your room has not even cleaned or disinfected
the bed after it was previously used.
Let's be honest, there is a lot of skin to skin contact on tanning beds
and most of that skin to skin contact leads to perspiration and sweat as you
heat up under the lamps. Heat and
moisture are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, particularly bacteria like Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Enterococcus
and Enterobacter which are pathogens
known to cause serious skin infections.
Researchers in a letter to the editor in The
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology outlined a study they had conducted
at 10 Tanning Salons voted to be the "Best of New York". Let's just say, they did not observe any
cleaning efforts. All tanning beds
cultured in the salons were found positive with disease-causing organisms, which
certainly highlights a very real concern for disease transmission. While the study focused on culturing of
bacteria, tanning beds could also be a fomite that allows for indirect
transmission of human papillomavirus (genital
warts).
My take on the above is that if you want to use tanning beds
to shed your skin of its winter whiteness, take your own disinfecting wipes and
clean before you lay down. As for me,
perhaps this year I'll hand out sunglasses the first time I go without
pantyhose.....unless anyone can recommend a good spray tan place!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
