“For adequate protection against melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers and photo-aging, everyone over the age of six months should use sunscreen daily year-round, in any weather.” — The Skin Cancer Foundation’s “Guide to Sunscreen” on the Foundation’s web site.

Sunscreen manufacturers themselves are not allowed to make such a claim. They may allege that sunscreen, in combination with other basic sun protection behaviors, can help reduce the risk of skin cancer. But they can’t say that their product alone will prevent skin cancer. In fact, most studies show that sunscreen users have higher rates of skin cancer — correlations that have no clear explanation, but which have been pretty-much denied by the sunscreen industry.

Smart Tan encourages salons to teach consumers to use SPF products only when sunburn is possible — which is, in fact, the only true intended use of the product. Doing so, the sunbed industry teaches sunscreen usage better than the product’s manufacturers themselves.

“Because the Skin Cancer Foundation was created by and is funded by the manufacturers of sunscreen products, telling people to over-use the product is financially motivated. But it is not scientifically valid advice,” Smart Tan Executive Director Joseph Levy said. “Over-using a chemical product to that extent does not make sense.”

SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can’t say in your tanning salon business.

© 2012 International Smart Tan Network. All rights reserved.