Anjali Shrestha
Reporter

With the summertime frenzy for the perfect sun-kissed glow approaching, there is a fine line between a light tan boasting a return from a sunny spot and an orange faux-tan or peeling sunburn.

Teens often overlook the dangerous effect of those fashionable summer tans. As people younger and younger expose themselves to lethal amounts of sun, the harmful effects impact a wide range of people differing in ages and skin types.

“Short term consequences of UVB rays are sun burns,” said Megin Scully, M.D., who is a practicing dermatologist. “Long term consequences of UVA and UVB exposure are pigmentation problems such as brown blotches and white spots. In addition, collagen is injured leading to wrinkling and premature aging of the skin.”

UVB rays can cause burning and skin cancer, but most sunscreens protect against these rays. However, they do not protect against UVA rays, which are the most dangerous.

“You do not know you are getting UVA rays because they do not burn,” said Scully. “UVA light goes through fog and car glass. It is dangerous because people do not know they are being exposed.”

The most deadly side effect of sun is melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Melanomas are caused by melanocytes or when pigment cells change, according to Scully. When the mole begins to multiply, it forms a type of deadly skin cancer.

“My mom passed away from melanoma when I was five, and at the time I did not understand what was going on,” said sophomore Charlotte Coover. “My mom had fair skin and freckles and she got melanoma. I am more now aware because of this and I know that I need to take care of my skin and influence others to protect themselves.”

Some people have the ideal of a tan without the harm. Early in the 20th century, having a tan was considered a mark of the lower class because only people who worked long hours in fields would get burned or tanned. Style icon Coco Chanel returned from vacation in the l920s with a tan, bringing the tan into style.

“I see a lot of sun related issues like sun induced rashes, premature aging, and skin cancer, said Scully. “We are seeing skin cancer in a younger population now. Traditionally, most people start to notice sun damage in their late 30s and develop the more severe complications when they are older.”

To protect against the harms of sun it is important to cover up by staying in the shade and using clothing like hats for protection. Sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and are broad spectrum are the most effective.

“For sunscreens I recommend Anthelios, which contains mexoryl,” said Scully. “Sun screens with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or Helioplex also provide a good UVA block something that has been missing in American sunscreens until recently.”

Sun, at one time considered the cure-all, is healthy in small doses, but with recent fads such as tanning beds, the effects on the skin are detrimental and can not only cause cosmetic deformities but fatal illnesses.

“Since skin cancer has effected me personally I know that it can happen,” said Coover. “With emphasis on being tan today and harmful things like tanning beds it is important to know that skin cancer is not just another random disease out there but kills one