unnatural dry skin -treating it properly

When tanning beds were all the rage, tanners used to place stickers somewhere on their body to block out the UV light, leaving the skin underneath untouched by the rays. The practice had two purposes: it helped people see how tan they were getting and it also allowed them to create cute little designs on their skin. Well, the practice is back in a way. Only now, it's more dangerous. 

A new trend called sunburn art involves creating sunburn designs on your skin by applying sunscreen to certain areas while leaving others exposed to the sun. Protective barriers, such as clothes, stickers, and stencils may also be used. The goal is to create a sunburn in a particular design or shape. This practice is especially troublesome due to the rise in skin cancer in recent years. Following are three reasons why you should say no to sunburn art. 

Skin Cancer Is becoming Increasingly Common

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 20 percent of Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. And that number is on the rise. In fact, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in young adults ages 25 through 29. 

The Skin Cancer Foundation Says "No"

The Skin Cancer Foundation has warned the public about the dangers of sunburn art and advises people to avoid sunburns at all costs. Why? Sunburns dramatically increase your risk of developing skin cancer. If you have five sunburns or more when you're younger, your lifetime risk of getting skin cancer will increase by 80 percent. If you get several, more than five, sunburns as an adult, you will double your chances of getting skin cancer. 

It May Result in Permanent Pigmentation Changes

If skin cancer isn't enough to dissuade you from sunburn art, consider the possibilities of permanent pigmentation changes in the skin. In some complexions, the sun causes freckles or spots of dark pigmentation to form under the skin called liver or age spots. These pigmentation changes are permanent. A temporary foray into sunburn art may very well end up being more permanent than you planned. 

As you can see, sunburn art is very dangerous and can cause permanent cosmetic changes to the skin as well as increase your lifetime risk for developing skin cancer. Always protect your skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen at all times and by dressing in protective clothing, such as loose-fitting clothes and a wide-brimmed had that will block most of the sun. 

For more information, contact Heibel Dermatology or a similar location.