New Hand-Held Skin Cancer Detector

Balter Medical of Norway has developed a hand-held device that detects skin cancer. The device uses a technique called Optical Transfer Diagnosis that measures the difference of light waves being absorbed by blood vessels and suspicious moles.

The device is said to be very accurate as it correctly diagnosed 11 out of 11 malignant melanomas in a clinical study. It won’t be available for 2 years, however, as it is still in the process of development.

No Winter Break for Skin Cancer

TanTowel would like to remind you that just because it is winter (in the Northern Hemisphere), skin cancer does not take a break.

“We see skin cancer all year round,” says Dr. Mary Hurley, president of the Dallas Division of the Dallas-Fort Worth Dermatological Society and North Dallas Dermatology Associates.

Basically, see a dermatologist “for anything that’s new, changing or not healing,” she says.

If you think you may have skin cancer or you notice an unusual-looking mole, have your dermatologist check it out right away.

For more tips on avoiding skin cancer, view our post here.

Are self-tanners safe?

We get this question a lot so we figured we would put your mind at ease. The active ingredient in most self-tanners including TanTowel is dihydroxyacetone, commonly called DHA. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers DHA safe when applied to your skin. DHA is a natural ingredient derived from sugar that reacts with the dead skin skills in the top layers of your epidermis. This natural reaction results in a darkening of those skin cells that lasts, on average, five to seven days. The rate at which your skin naturally exfoliates directly affects the length of time your new self-tan will last.

In fact, your body replenishes its skin cells completely every 35-45 days. This is why any tan, including a sunless tan, will fade over time. As these dead skin cells slough off, so does your tan. This is why it is recommended you apply your TanTowel every 3-5 days to keep that healthy-looking glow all year round.

Don’t confuse DHA in TanTowels with ingredients found in bronzers. Bronzers are different in that they contain actual dyes that dye your skin darker. Much like makeup, these products only work until they are washed off easily with soap and water. The mess can be awful as well, staining clothes, sheets, or other things. Currently, TanTowel does not use bronzers in any of our products. We only use DHA, which reacts naturally with the skin to give you a natural-looking tan.

Educational Materials Can Alter Young Women’s Attitudes About Tanning, May Reduce Skin Cancer

ScienceDaily (2008-10-20) — A new study indicates that educational literature can influence young women’s use of indoor tanning, not by raising their fear of skin cancer but by changing their attitudes about indoor tanning and promoting healthier alternatives for changing appearance. <read more>

Scientists confirm no such thing as a safe tan

Scientists have published three separate papers today that argue that there is no such thing as a safe tan. The  papers were published in Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, and dispel the myth that tanning beds or sun tanning can be safe in moderation.

The premise of the argument is that both tanning and skin cancer begin with the same physiological change in skin cell DNA damage.

“This effort to portray tanning and tanning beds as good for health ignores the fact that exposure to ultraviolet radiation represents one of the most avoidable causes of cancer. There is no question that this exposure causes thousands of skin cancer deaths a year,” Professor Fisher said to WebMD.

This is all the more reason to use TanTowels to get the perfect safe, sunless tan with no mess, no fuss, and no streaks.

Kelli Pedroia warning teens about melanoma

Kelli Pedroia, wife of Boston Red Sox player Dustin Pedroia, is the spokesperson for the Melanoma Foundation. Last Monday she addressed an auditorium full of teens at Georgetown, telling them of the dangers of sun exposure. She is a melanoma cancer survivor and was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 18. She stressed the importance of using sunscreen and limiting exposure to the sun’s harmful rays.

She also recommended the use of self-tanners (such as TanTowel) if having a nice tan is a must. Self-tanning is the healthy alternative to tanning beds and sun bathing.

After four surgeries, Kelli is now cancer-free and intends to stay that way. For more information, visit www.melanoma.org.

Tanning bed addict vows to continue using tanning beds despite her recent skin cancer diagnosis

Zara Hovelsas has been using tanning beds to get tan since she was 15 years old. Hovelsas, who lives in London, England, was recently diagnosed with skin cancer, and doctors told her the tanning bed was to blame. Apparently the cancer was not enough to deter her from continued tanning bed use.

“People probably think I’m silly to risk my life for a tan but I can’t help myself. I’m frightened the cancer will return but I tell myself I’ll be OK if I just tan once in a while and keep checking out my moles” she said.

“That way if it comes back I can catch it in time. Fingers crossed, anyway.”

She also admits it may kill her, but she just cannot stop. Sounds like she would be a perfect candidate for the safe alternative to tanning beds…TanTowel!

Tips to prevent skin cancer

Here are some helpful tips to avoid skin cancer (from The Skin Cancer Foundation):

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
• Do not burn.
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30  minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

For expanded sun safety information, check out Year Round Sun Protection. If you are looking for a great tan year-round, the healthiest way to go is TanTowel.

Australia tanning salons required to post cancer warning

Last Friday, the Australian federal court ruled that all tanning salons must post warning signs in their windows stating the dangers of tanning beds. This ruling not only affects tanning salons, but the Australian Tanning Association must post the warnings on their websites as well.

The posted warnings must include the following:

• There is medical or scientific evidence which links solarium use with an increased risk of skin cancer.

• Tanning does not materially protect the skin from sunburn.

• Skin damage caused by ultraviolent light may not be repaired by the body’s skin repair mechanisms.

• Damage to the body caused by ultraviolent light exposure occurs without sunburn.

For more information on how to avoid the dangers of tanning salons and still have a beautiful sun-kissed glow, visit www.TanTowel.com.

Skin cancer on the rise in young women

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology recently published results of a study that show that melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is on the rise in young women but not in young men. Other studies show that exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and/or tanning beds is on the rise, which gives reason to believe the two are related.

Why put yourself at increased risk for skin cancer when you can get the perfect sun-kissed glow using TanTowel sunless tanning products?

For more information, click here.