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"This is very common skin cancer myth that can be debunked by few minutes of googling." Please don't do this. Almost nothing is trivially googleable. For insta

"This is very common skin cancer myth that can be debunked by few minutes of googling." Please don't do this. Almost nothing is trivially googleable. For instance, the pages I'm reading say a tan is equivalent to about 2-3 SPF, which isn't a huge amount of protection (it corresponds to a 50-66% reduction in UV exposure). However, I'm not sure how to compare that 2-3 SPF to sunscreen measurements. SPF measurements for sunscreen are based on using something 4 teaspoons, or 1/3rd of a bottle per usage. No one I know does that. On top of that, as a very pale person, I find that I don't get sunburnt because I put on SPF 15 and it's not strong enough--I get sunburnt when I don't reapply the SPF 50 after sweating for a few hours. Or even better, trivially googling Basal Cell Carcinoma gets me to wikipedia which says that it's unclear if sunscreen even affects your risk of BCC. I probably shouldn't trust wikipedia, but that's what you're telling me to do when you say "it's easy to google for". Short story: I'm still willing to believe that you're right. You clearly know more than I do about the subject. But "just google it" is not typically helpful.

nabla9 9y ago
I realize that "just google" is dangerous and I should rephrase my advice. What I meant is to google basic public health information provided by national health authorities and international health organizations. They usually give a balanced view. For example, it's not beneficial to avoid going outside or not doing outdoor activities because they have other health benefits that outweigh skin cancer risk. Tanned skin is damaged skin but maybe you should accept the risk not avoid getting some tan. For example: https://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/prevent-skin-cancer/index.html https://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/prevent-skin-ca...
- hyperpape 9y ago
  I'm not sure saying "tanned skin is damaged skin" directly answers the original question, or at least the way I'd ask it. Suppose, I go outside for a little bit at a time with my kids during the spring, and get something of a tan, then I go to the beach and am a lot of direct sun.[0] Although the articles say the tan is not much protection (2-3 SPF max), it is some. On the other hand, I had lots of exposure during the spring. Both effects are real, but which is bigger? For that matter, how big are the effects of those exposures? Can you just add up the entire time spent outside during peak hours? [0] I do use sunscreen, but between getting in the water, uneven application or whatever else, I end up with part of my body burning a fraction on the time.

nabla9 9y ago

I realize that "just google" is dangerous and I should rephrase my advice. What I meant is to google basic public health information provided by national health authorities and international health organizations. They usually give a balanced view. For example, it's not beneficial to avoid going outside or not doing outdoor activities because they have other health benefits that outweigh skin cancer risk. Tanned skin is damaged skin but maybe you should accept the risk not avoid getting some tan. For example: https://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/prevent-skin-cancer/index.html https://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/prevent-skin-ca...

hyperpape 9y ago
I'm not sure saying "tanned skin is damaged skin" directly answers the original question, or at least the way I'd ask it. Suppose, I go outside for a little bit at a time with my kids during the spring, and get something of a tan, then I go to the beach and am a lot of direct sun.[0] Although the articles say the tan is not much protection (2-3 SPF max), it is some. On the other hand, I had lots of exposure during the spring. Both effects are real, but which is bigger? For that matter, how big are the effects of those exposures? Can you just add up the entire time spent outside during peak hours? [0] I do use sunscreen, but between getting in the water, uneven application or whatever else, I end up with part of my body burning a fraction on the time.