If UV radiation is so bad, why isn’t there a tanning bed ban yet? in category healthy or not health journalist Tijn Elferink explores a confusing subject. This is the honest and nuanced story of sunshine.
The wind in the sails when minister Hugo de Jonge admitted in a conversation with Eva Jinek that he would spend the week under his sunbed. “If they say ‘you’re terrible’ three times a day, you feel the same way,” said the minister.
A very reckless, dangerous and bad example according to the critics. A health minister who smokes alone can be worse than that.
Controversy about the ban on tanning beds regularly erupts. The Association of Professional Dermatologists (NVDV) has been calling for a ban on sale to private individuals for years. When he left the management of the Comprehensive Cancer Center (IKNL) in the Netherlands, Peter Huijgens argued for a ban in the Netherlands. Last year, dermatologists made an urgent appeal to gyms to ban tanning beds.
Huge increase in skin cancer!
One of the doctors behind the emergency call is Klara Mosterd, dermatologist at the UMC+ in Maastricht. “More than half of all new cancer patients have skin cancer,” says Mosterd. “As a result, skin cancer is by far the most common form of cancer in the Netherlands. Every year, 70,000 new patients with skin cancer are added and that number is growing rapidly. He estimates that an average of 350 new patients will be added per working day in five years. †
“To label UV radiation as harmful is naive and naughty. There are too many signs to the contrary.
Frank de Gruijl, skin researcher
Two years ago, the House of Representatives was hesitant about the ban. And there is also nuanced resistance from scientists. Many are aware that too much sun is harmful, according to Prof. Dr. Rick van Baaren, professor of Behavior and Social Change at Radboud University. “They do it for other reasons, such as wanting a nice tan. You can’t get rid of that with a sunbed ban.”
“I think the attitude against tanning beds is exaggerated,” says skin researcher Frank de Gruijl, who has long been associated with the LUMC’s dermatology department. “Of course, if you compare the doses to beach vacations in the southern regions and how many people do that.”
benefits of the sun
The difference of opinion between fans and competitors has to do with the degree of UV exposure. Earlier this year, a dermatologist from the TV show Radar: “No healthy UV light.” De Gruijl hears such a statement by shaking his head. “To label UV rays as harmful is naive and naughty. There’s a lot of evidence to the contrary.”
One of these benefits is that the skin produces vitamin D, which performs many important functions under the influence of sunlight. Sun exposure also provides natural sun protection. “So I greatly underestimate the daily use of sunscreen,” says De Gruijl. “Sunscreen appears to legitimize sunbathing.”
You can be damaged by the sun in several ways.
Shade is hard to find, says Merijn Wegdam of the Sunshower company, which makes devices that emit a low dose of UV radiation while showering. The maker was asked about this on television.
“Whether the Sunshower is healthy is a good question in itself,” says Wegdam. “But before I sat down to eat, I was already judged. VU University has shown that with a low daily dose of UV-B light you can maintain your vitamin D level without further DNA damage.”
“I have patients who say they don’t have regular sun exposure and are really tan. When asked, it turns out that they play golf or even work outside in construction.
Klara Mustard, dermatologist
According to Musterd, it is not always easy to understand the nuance of knowledge. “I have patients who say they don’t go out in the sun regularly and are really tan. It turned out they were golfing or even working outside when I asked them. sleeping in sun containers to take sun damage, so the nuance of the “avoid the sun” message is lost.
The excesses are out of the closet
Mosterd also sees that excesses sometimes come out to reach people. “A very subtle story doesn’t have a catchy title. Here’s what sensible sunbathing is: Stay well lubricated and protect yourself even then, even if you’re getting enough vitamin D. You can’t always avoid UV because we walk, play and do it outside. spores with adequate exposure to ultraviolet rays.”
There is nothing wrong with that, emphasizes De Gruijl. “But,” she says, “sunbathing is never healthy.” Just like the tanning bed, Mustard adds. “People do this just to get a tan, and therefore often for a very long time,” says Mustard. “It also happens in all kinds of places where you have no control over whether you are responsible: people can stay there too long and too often, too young, and get badly burned.”
judgment
Too much UV radiation is unhealthy, but too little. The sunlight is there. Staying indoors is not the solution. We will have to learn to use the sun wisely. Every day during lunch, face and hands can lie in the sun for fifteen minutes. Taking longer walks or exercising? Lubricate and store well. And: sunbathing and sunbeds are never good.
Source: NU
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
