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Are tanning beds safe? The answer depends on who you ask. Don’t expect employees at a tanning salon to warn you about the dangers of tanning. 

Even with federal guidelines on how much exposure people should have in a tanning booth, most tanning parlors said customers could come in as often as they wanted. And, some even denied that tanning indoors could cause cancer or prematurely age the skin.

However, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, people who use tanning beds and lamps have a considerably higher risk of developing basal and squamous cell carcinoma, the two most common kinds of skin cancer. 

Tanning salons use lamps that emit both UVA radiation, which penetrates to the deeper layers of the skin, and some UVB radiation, which goes through the top layers of skin. When using a tanning bed, the concentration of UVA rays is higher than that from the sun. As a result, the skin absorbs more rays in the long term resulting in both skin aging and a higher risk for skin cancer. 

Both UVA and UVB rays can cause potentially cancerous changes in the DNA of skin cells. In addition to increasing the risk of skin cancer, tanning can also cause:

  • Premature aging that occurs when skin loses its elasticity and wrinkles prematurely
  • Immune suppression that can leave the body more susceptible to diseases
  • Irreversible eye damage due to exposure to UV radiation

Despite the risks of tanning beds, you don’t have to go without that sun-bronzed look. New self-tanners and spray-on tans provide a quick, safe alternative that is better for your skin.

To learn more about tanning safety, visit the free, online health library on the Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake website at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/SunSafety.

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake
9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218
214 324-6100

www.doctorshospitaldallas.com

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While energy drinks are becoming increasingly popular — especially among teens and young adults — these drinks often have large amounts of sugar and caffeine. Depending on the brand, you could be consuming as much as 500 milligrams of caffeine in a 20-ounce serving, compared to 200 milligrams in a 12-ounce cup of brewed coffee or 35 milligrams in a 12-ounce serving of Coca-Cola Classic.

Caffeine, which is a stimulant, may be safe in moderation for most people, but it can have some unpleasant side effects including jitteriness, upset stomach, headaches and sleep problems. Caffeine also may be dangerous for those who have any type of heart disease or high blood pressure. Consuming caffeine can further increase some people’s blood pressure, or make the heart beat faster and trigger abnormal heart rhythms. 

Mixing alcohol with an energy drink could lead to dangerous heart rhythms — even in people who don’t have an underlying heart condition. Another danger from combining energy drinks with alcohol is that you may feel alert enough to drive, even when the alcohol actually is impairing your responses.

Quickly drinking an energy drink isn't a good idea either. The high levels of caffeine and sugar may cause a number of symptoms and have sometimes been severe enough to require hospitalization. 

Like many things in life, energy drinks may be OK if consumed in moderation. However, your best way to feel energized each day is to eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water, and get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five days a week. And don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep.

To learn more about how caffeine affects your body, take the free, online How Much Do You Know About Caffeine? quiz available on the Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake website at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/CaffeineQuiz.

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake
9400 Poppy Drive
Dallas, TX 75218
214-324-6100

www.doctorshospitaldallas.com