Sun Daze Tanning

Tanning and Health News

 Updated Feb 21st 2013

Congrats to our 4th Year Anniversary Draw Winners

Daily Prizes Winners

Feb.19th Tara Ferguson

Feb.20th Violet Jacobson

Feb.21st Lisa Kenney

Grand Prizes Winners

Dec 8th 2011

JCTA Op-Ed Article in the Vancouver Sun Dec 12th

Regulate indoor tanning, but there’s no need for a ban By Steven Gilroy, Executive Director, Joint Canadian Tanning Association

In recent months there has been some debate about the need for greater regulations and controls on indoor sunbathing. The tanning industry supports this and has been asking for regulations for several years. That’s is why we’re more than happy to serve on the Government of BC’s Indoor Tanning Working Group.

Several municipalities in British Columbia have and are currently considering restricting access to indoor tanning facilities for those under the age of 18. We don’t believe such a measure is necessary. Before rash decisions are made limiting access to this perfectly controllable technology, it’s important to know the facts about both the tanning industry, and the supposed risks being associated with indoor sunbathing.

Since the early 1980s, thousands of Canadians have enjoyed the advantages of indoor sunbathing.The majority of those who use sunbeds do so to pre-tan in preparation for sunny vacations, or before the summer to reduce the risk of sunburn. Pre-tanning creates over 6 times the protection

The upside to using indoor tanning facilities to gain UV exposure is clear. UV light is vital to our health, and our body requires UV exposure to naturally produce vitamin D. In Canada, with our long dark winter, UVB exposure is difficult to come by for almost half the year.

The JCTA believes that indoor sunbathing - in a trained, professional tanning facility - is the smartest way to maximize the potential benefits of regular moderate UV exposure while minimizing the potential risks associated with over-exposure. Our customers are able to have access to UV exposure in a controlled environment, unlike when people are tanning on their deck or on a beach. .

For almost ten years, the Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA), which represents 75% of the indoor sunbathing equipment in British Columbia, have operated under comprehensive self-imposed guidelines on the responsible use of tanning equipment.

These standards include skin typing to prevent those with the fairest skin type – known as Skin Type I (who can’t tan) – from sunbathing, requiring salons to include “remote timing” controls to ensure only a certified operator can set exposure times, and a minimal parental consent requirement for minors under the age of 18.

It’s important to note that the average age of an indoor sunbather is 30. Less than 10% of our customers are under the age of 18, and less than 2% are under the age of 16. The vast majority of those under the age of 16 that visit a tanning salon do so for therapeutic reasons, and have been referred for treatment by a physician.

The reality is, controlled sunbathing, whether the exposure is from the sun or an indoor UV source, is not an issue of age. It is an issue of what level of exposure is appropriate for what individual. Regulations should focus on ensuring that every tanning facility follows rules that will prevent people, regardless of age, from sunbathing in a way that could be risky for them.

According to Canadian Cancer Society statistics, there has been no relative increased in melanoma since indoor sunbathing became popular in the 1980s for women, which make of 85% of the clients at a salon. All scientific studies, including the much quoted World Health Organization’s IARC Report, demonstrates that those who are most at risk for melanoma are Skin Type I individuals – the very individuals who are already banned from our facilities.

Over the years, the JCTA has been working with provincial governments across Canada to formalize these regulations. We believe that governments can easily adopt the JCTA guidelines and certification programs, saving public dollars and resources while providing a responsible system which goes far beyond the simplistic and wrong-headed “age bans” that are currently being discussed.

In British Columbia, these efforts have resulted in the province setting up a working group that is currently looking at the best way to regulate this industry. We look forward to working with the province and other stakeholders to ensure there are regulations that include parental involvement, skin typing, a graduated exposure schedule, and that operators are properly trained and certified.

Updated October 11th 2011

Jersey Shore’s Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, the world’s hottest – and tannest – reality TV star, and Supre Tan’s CEO Bruce West, the indoor tanning industry leader from the shores of Texas, have announced their premium indoor tanning salon product collection from the Snooki Beauty Care division of the Snooki brand.

This follows on the heels of Snooki’s Sept. 12 appearance on Anderson Cooper’s new daytime talk show on FOX Television, Anderson’s visit to a Manhattan indoor tanning salon and Snooki’s gifting to Anderson a surprise indoor tanning product from her new partner Supre Tan, branded Anderstand by Snooki.

“This is the first time the indoor tanning industry will experience the power of Snooki and her team from Supre,” says West. “This is a business game-changer with Snooki’s unprecedented media and marketing power outdistancing the competition by generating billions of consumer impressions through innovative campaigns and initiatives driving untold massive numbers of new consumers to salons.”

According to Snooki and West, the new Snooki/Supre Tan indoor tanning product partnership will be introduced in three phases: First, it will start with three products planned for launch in November at salons across America; second, it will be featured in comprehensive detail in the November issue of Smart Tan, showcasing the products and their trademark Snooki-bling packaging design. And third, it will be further supported by Snooki’s star-studded appearance at Smart Tan Downtown – the world’s largest indoor tanning show and conference – at the Nashville Convention Center Oct. 14-16, with massive local and national media coverage promoting and commemorating Snooki’s surprise participation in the festivities of Smart Tan Downtown.

“It’s my dream come true: my own collection of amazing indoor tanning products with my new friends at Supre Tan,” says Snooki. “The search for the Holy Grail of the deepest, most golden and lasting tan ends with Supre Tan’s partnership with the Snooki Beauty Care division of the Snooki brand. We offer only the best indoor tanning products available anywhere, hands down!”

Snooki has often remarked the question most fans ask her is how she gets and keeps that deep, dark golden tan. Now, she’ll be able to tell them: “The Snooki brand products by Supre Tan, of course.” Snooki and Supre Tan have worked together closely in the early stages of their new partnership to deliver the strongest collaborative result of industry needs coupled with what Snooki wants and what her fans want and love, giving her fans and countless others across all consumer demographics the very best the industry has to offer.

Snooki stars in Jersey Shore, MTV’s number one most-watched series in its history and America’s number one most-watched cable series, outdistancing the viewership of all other leading cable series, such as Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Jersey Shore’s season four debut episode reached nearly 9 million viewers. Snooki’s a Rolling Stone magazine cover girl, and she’s appeared on leading TV talk shows over 50 times. Snooki has just reached the milestone of 3 million Twitter followers, set to double in 2012, making her far and away the most tweeted star of Jersey Shore, and among the most tweeted stars in the world.

Nicole’s love of tanning is huge online. Her millions of ardent fans closely follow her choice of tanning products. Here are Google Search Results: Snooki + indoor tanning = 2.39 million results. A Google Search of Snooki alone provides 16.6 million results.

It naturally follows the Snooki brand empire with the best manufacturing and retail partners to be announced soon. The Snooki Beauty division of her brand features Snooki fragrance launching November from Aladdin Fragrance, and now Snooki indoor tanning products launching November at salons everywhere with Supre Tan, leveraging the Snooki Beauty Care division with more beauty categories to be announced soon.

Please sign this important petition...........

http://www.gopetition.com/petition/44176.html">Online petition - Protect The Rights Of Indoor Sunbathers</a>

This website is a resource for current news & information about sunlight & its many positive effects on our health.

Dr. Sorenson and his wife, Vicki, developed one of the top health resorts in the world, known as National Institute of Fitness (NIF). 
During their time at NIF their clients lost over one hundred tons of fat.  
Two thirds of diabetic guests were free of all medication in less than two weeks, and many others recovered from high cholesterol, hypertension, lupus, arthritis, migraines, asthma and allergies. 
The business was consistently ranked as one of the world’s best destination health resorts. 
NIF was featured in full-page articles in the New York Times, Tokyo Times, Salt Lake Tribune, Las Vegas Review Journal, Singapore Times and other large newspapers. 

His book Megahealth was a selection of the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs.  
His current book on the health benefits of sunlight and vitamin D is called Vitamin D3 and Solar Power for Optimal Health and is being sold in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Canada as well as in the U.S.    

            His fitness accomplishments include:

1. State Open Weightlifting Champion.
2. Winner of several racquetball tournaments, including World Senior Games Champion.
3. Marathon finisher
4. Pedaled bicycle from Phoenix, AZ to Fairbanks, AK (4000 miles). 
5. He twice bicycled from the beach on Maui, Hawaii to the top of Mt. Haleakala—a distance of 38 miles and a climb of 10,000 feet. 
6. Has walked, jogged and cycled the equivalent of more than 40,000 walking miles. 

He has spoken on health in many states in the U.S. and was paid $15,000 to speak in Japan. 

He has recently traveled to the Toronto, Canada area where he made three paid presentations on the health benefits of sunlight and vitamin D.    

He has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs, both locally and nationwide.  He has appeared on Body by Jake six different times.

He was given the Money School of Boston award for Excellence in Nutrition writing—the only person so honored by the school. 

On the recommendation of Senator Orrin Hatch, a flag was flown over the United States Senate building in honor of his contributions to the health and fitness of the citizens of the USA. 

His book Megahealth was a selection of the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs.  

His current book on the health benefits of sunlight and vitamin D is called Vitamin D3 and Solar Power for Optimal Health and is being sold in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Canada as well as in the U.S.    

            His fitness accomplishments include:

1. State Open Weightlifting Champion.
2. Winner of several racquetball tournaments, including World Senior Games Champion.
3. Marathon finisher
4. Pedaled bicycle from Phoenix, AZ to Fairbanks, AK (4000 miles). 
5. He twice bicycled from the beach on Maui, Hawaii to the top of Mt. Haleakala—a distance of 38 miles and a climb of 10,000 feet. 
6. Has walked, jogged and cycled the equivalent of more than 40,000 walking miles. 
    

He has spoken on health in many states in the U.S. and was paid $15,000 to speak in Japan. 

He has recently traveled to the Toronto, Canada area where he made three paid presentations on the health benefits of sunlight and vitamin D.    

He has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs, both locally and nationwide.  He has appeared on Body by Jake six different times.

He was given the Money School of Boston award for Excellence in Nutrition writing—the only person so honored by the school. 

Updated March 1st 2011

Congrats to our February 2011 Winners:

Amy Holmes- Skintelligence gift Set

Janice Hillaby 200 Ultra Minutes

and the following winners of a Mine Gift Set

Shannon Simpson,Karen Morse,Terry McLean and Krista Francis!!

Updated February 11 2011

Take our survey, lets see who really is the number one place to tan in Edmonton

Click here to take survey

Fat Soluble Vitamins:  Facts You May Not Know

Vitamins play a vital role in human nutrition, and for the most part cannot be manufactured by the body. Although many people take vitamins in the hopes of improving their energy levels, of themselves vitamins are not energy sources. Instead, vitamins act as essential co-factors for properly regulating the body's metabolic reactions and biochemical processes. When vitamins are deficient in the diet, these various biological functions are impeded, resulting in suboptimal health and a variety of disease conditions specifically related to nutrient imbalances. There are two classifications of vitamins - fat-soluble and water-soluble.  Today we are going to explore the fat soluble ones.

Fat Soluble Vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in body tissues (composed of fat) and can therefore be drawn upon when they are not obtained daily from the diet. Because they are not easily excreted, however, excessive intake of fat-soluble vitamins can cause toxicity. The most common fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E, and K and carotenoids.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A was the first vitamin to be discovered and officially named, hence its letter A. Vitamin A is not a single substance, but a group of nutrients that include retinol, retinal, and the carotenoids. Retinol and retinal are both known as preformed vitamin A and are found in a variety of animal foods, especially liver. Butter, cream, egg yolk, fish oils, and whole and fortified nonfat milk are all good sources of preformed vitamin A. Orange fruits and green, leafy, and yellow vegetables are all rich sources of various precursor carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A.

Vitamin A is important for a variety of body functions, including eyesight, healthy teeth and skin, bone growth, cell differentiation, and tissue repair. Vitamin A also plays an important role in maintaining proper function of the cornea, lungs, mucus membranes, the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, and the bladder and urinary tract. It also acts as an antioxidant, helps prevent infectious disease, and is needed for the production of various anti-tumor compounds in the body.

Vitamin A stores are diminished by both stress and illness, as well as alcohol consumption, which also interferes with its absorption. The first signs of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness. Other signs of deficiency include sub-optimum bone and tooth formation, eye inflammation, impaired immune response, weight loss, and keratinosis, a condition resulting in hardened pigmented deposits around hair follicles and the body's upper and lower extremities.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D occurs in ten forms, D1- D10. The two most important forms are D2 and D3. The best food sources of vitamin D are cod liver and fish liver oils, butter, egg yolk, liver, vitamin D-fortified milk, and oily fish such as herring, mackerel, sardines, and salmon. The body can also manufacture vitamin D in the skin when it comes in contact with the sun's ultraviolet rays. People who live in areas of smog or infrequent sunlight, as well as strict vegetarians, should consider daily supplementing with at least 400 IUs of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, and for regulating the metabolism of calcium and phosphorous, both of which are integral components of healthy bones and teeth. It also aids in regulating the nervous system and maintaining cardiovascular health and normal blood clotting, and is an important nutrient for childhood growth. Because of its ability to aid in the calcification process, vitamin D can also be useful for maintaining bone health during menopause.

In childhood, the primary sign of vitamin D deficiency is rickets (skeletal abnormalities), while in adults, lack of the vitamin can result in softening of the bones (osteomalacia). Tetany, a form of muscle spasm, hearing loss, nearsightedness, psoriasi, celicac disease, and osteoporosis can also result from vitamin D deficiency.  Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to inflammatory conditions, some tumors and even mood disorders like depression.  Vitamin D levels can now be detected in the blood with abnormal levels requiring large doses to restore the body's stores.  Some physicians will use 5,000 to 10,000 IU per day to replenish a deficiency.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E refers to a group of substances known as tocopherols. The most active form of vitamin E is d-alpha tocopherol, which is also the form that is most prevelant in nature. The primary food sources of vitamin E are seed and vegetable oils, especially saffower oil. Other food sources include wheat germ, wheat germ oil, nuts, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, butter, and egg yolk.

Vitamin E acts as a potent antioxidant, and works synergistically with other antioxidants like vitamin C and selenium to minimize the effects of free radical damage and as an anti-tumor agent. It also enhances the health properties of vitamin A, with the two vitamins working together to reduce cholesterol and fat accumulation. Currently, vitamin E is also being investigated for its potential anti-aging properties, and has been shown to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. In addition, it is an important nutrient for the nervous, reproductive, and skeletal systems, as well as for muscle tissue and red blood cells and corpuscles. Applied topically, it is useful for treating burns, wounds, abrasions, lesions, and dry skin.

Even though vitamin E is more easily excreted from the body than other fat-soluble vitamins, signs of deficiency are less obvious than other nutrient deficiencies, and therefore more difficult to detect. Adding to this difficulty is the fact that vitamin E deficiency can manifest in a variety of ways. One possible indication of deficiency is decreased red blood cell levels due to damaged cell membranes.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K also occurs in various forms: K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone), both of which occur naturally, and K3 (menadione) a synthetic version that is twice as active biologically, and is only administered to people who have difficulty utilizing the natural forms due to conditions such as reduced bile secretion.  In addition to being available dietarily, approximately half of the body's vitamin K needs are met by the biosynthesis of various bacteria in the intestines. So excessive antibiotics in our foods and medical care can deplete the gut of healthy bacteria, thus decreasing vitamin K.  Probiotics (healthy bacteria) can help restore vitamin K levels.  Food sources of vitamin K include dark green leafy vegetables, kelp, alfalfa, egg yolk, yogurt, fish liver oils, and legumes, as well as safflower oil and blackstrap molasses.

Vitamin K's primary function in the body is to assist in normal blood clotting, especially in the synthesis of various proteins involved in the coagulation process. Since the body is able to manufacture its own supply of vitamin K, deficiencies are rare, although they can be compounded by impaired intestinal absorption, overuse of antibiotics (which destroy healthy intestinal bacteria), and poor liver function or liver disease. Symptoms of deficiency include abnormal bleeding or hemorrhaging, and miscarriage due to abnormal blood loss.

While vitamin K1 and K3 can interfere with the anti-coagulant effect of blood thinners, vitamin K2 doesn't.  This may be due to the active effect of vitamin K1 and K3 in the liver to impact metabolism of these drugs.  K2 on the other hand, has a targeted effect on the bones, directing vitamin D into the bone structure for maximal effect.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids refer to over 500 substances which naturally occur in fruits and vegetables. Some 50 carotenoids act as precursors to vitamin A, with beta-carotene being the most well-known and most prevalent. Lycopene is another popular carotenoid due to its various healing properties. The best food sources of carotenoids are yellow and dark green vegetables, orange fruits, tomatoes, watermelons, and cherries.

Carotenoids primarily act as antioxidants in the body, and are also capable of minimizing the formation of abnormal and precancerous cells and preventing age-related vision problems. Some researchers also speculate that carotenoids can improve immune function by stimulating immune antibodies, lymphocytes, and natural killer and T-helper cells. Symptoms of carotenoid deficiency include diminished immune function, free radical damage, and increased susceptibility to various cancers and cardiovascular illness.

Vitamins A,E, D and K as well as the carotenoids are important vitamins for our bodies protection.  Eating a diet rich in green leafy vegetables as well as colorful vegetables of the orange variety (sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, watermelons and cherries)will supply a lot of your body's needs.  Adding smart supplements will make sure that your body gets all it needs to function at its best.

Next week, I'll give you a little primer on the water soluble vitamins.  Until then, help me spread the message of health and wellness by sending this message on to a friend.

Dr. Pam
The Natural MD

Copyright 2008 by Pamela Avery, MD

May 1st 2009

Is there any advantage to being exposed to sunlight to produce vitamin D rather than taking a pill that contains an adequate amount, i.e., 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 It is known that when exposed to sunlight the vitamin D that’s made in the skin enters the dermal capillary bed, and essentially 100% is bound to the vitamin D binding protein. When vitamin D is ingested, it is incorporated into the chylomicrons and is transported through the lymphatic system, which in turn, is deposited into the venous system where it eventually is metabolized in the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D. As a result, no more than 60% of the vitamin D that is ingested is bound to the vitamin D binding protein, whereas the other 40% is mostly bound to lipoproteins. Thus, the vitamin D that is made in the skin has a longer half-life in the circulation than it does when ingested from the diet or from a supplement. Furthermore, the vitamin D produced in the skin from sun exposure is free, unlike a vitamin D supplement. You can never become vitamin D intoxicated from sun exposure, but you can if you take too many vitamin D pills.

90-95% of most people’s vitamin D requirement comes from casual exposure to sunlight. Why is there such a controversy about sensible sun exposure as a recommendation to satisfy our vitamin D requirement? The sun has been demonized, and as a result, most of the world’s population has been brain washed into thinking that any exposure to sunlight is bad medicine. This is unfortunate since there is essentially no substantiated scientific evidence to suggest that moderate sun exposure either significantly increase risks of squamous and basal cell carcinomas, and more importantly, the most deadly form of skin cancer melanoma. There is no question that excessive exposure to sunlight and sun burning experiences significantly increase risk of both basal and squamous cell carcinoma. However, these cancers are often easily detected, and if detected early, are easily treated and often cured. Melanoma on the other hand, is a very aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer. However, most melanomas occur on the least sun exposed areas, and a recent meta-analysis of 35 studies suggests that occupational exposure to sunlight decreases risk of developing melanoma.

Why not take advantage of sensible sun exposure? Not only do people feel better but they also will obtain their vitamin D requirement during the spring, summer and fall. It is possible to maintain adequate vitamin D stores by taking an adequate amount of vitamin D from a supplement. It is extremely unlikely that a person can get an adequate amount of vitamin D from their diet, however. The major issue of obtaining vitamin D from a pill is that the person has to remember to take the pill, and they have to be able to find a pill that contains the needed amount of vitamin D, i.e., 1,000 IU of vitamin D3.

There needs to be a reevaluation of the important role that sensible sun exposure has in providing vitamin D for the world’s population. Indeed, in Australia and New Zealand where the incidence of skin cancer are the highest in the world, the New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society in collaboration with the Australian College of Dermatologists and Cancer Council of Australia have recommended that a balance is required between avoiding an increased risk of skin cancer and achieving enough UV radiation to maintain adequate vitamin D levels. I believe Charles Shultz said it the best in his Peanuts comic strip where Linus is sitting in the school yard, opens his lunch to find a note from his mother encouraging him to “make good friends, get good grades”, and she notes, “I hope that you are sitting in the sun, for a little sun is good as long as we don’t over do it. Perhaps 10 minutes a day this time of the year is abo

ut right.” He was right on target. Hopefully this message will be heard, and this recommendation will be adopted world-wide.

References:

Holick, M.F. Vitamin D: Importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1 diabetes, heart disease. and osteoporosis. Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 79:362-371.

Holick, M.F. Resurrection of vitamin D deficiency and rickets. J Clin Invest 2006, 116(8):2062-2072.

Holick, MF. Vitamin D Deficiency. N Engl J Med 2007;357:266-281.

• We welcome your articles as well

If you have any interesting and informative articles you would like to share, please email them to me at

jim@oursundazetan.com

What's New?

• JCTA which we are a member of has developed a site to promote the education of tanning awareness.

http://tanawareness.com/

• We are having a clearance sale for many of our professional skin care products.

• We have expanded our services menu! Please see our services page for details.