The number of skin cancers occurring in the population under 35 years old has risen sharply in the last few years. One of the reasons for this, without a doubt, is the inadequate and indiscriminate use of tanning beds, revealed doctor Felipa Cotzomi Atzompa, a dermatologist appointed at the General Regional Hospital (HGR, in Spanish) Number 36 “San Alejandro” at the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS, in Spanish) in Puebla.
The specialist stated that sun exposure does have benefits for patients with ailments such as acne, osteoporosis (decrease of bone mineral mass due to lack of estrogens, which makes the bones spongy, thin and fragile), psoriasis (a chronic, non-contagious disease characterized by inflamed lesions covered with silvery-white scabs of dead skin) and rickets (a childhood disease characterized by soft and deformed bones caused by malnutrition and inadequate exposure to sunlight)

It is also a positive factor in cases of rheumatism (painful swelling in muscles, tendons, joints, bones, or nerves) and during climacteric, as well as favoring the immune system’s ability to fight diseases (this system defends us from microorganism’s attacks) and has a positive effect on our mood. In spite of this, an indiscriminate sun exposure can cause serious problems.

Finally, the specialist informed that over 30 sessions a year is considered to be extremely dangerous and over 50 sessions may cause premature skin ageing, as well as skin burns, wrinkles, spots, flaccidity and, in the worst of the cases, melanoma or even skin cancer due to autoimmune system failure.