Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.


This week on Health Watch, we’re talking about staying safe and warm in the cold of winter. In the dark and cold of winter, you may long for the warmth of the summer sun. But doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say you shouldn’t look to tanning beds to help you generate a wintertime glow.

Dr. Stan Taylor, a skin cancer expert at UT Southwestern, says ultraviolet light — the kind of light that causes tanning - can cause damage whether it comes from the sun or from tanning lamps. It raises your risk for skin cancer and for premature aging.

It’s safer to use sunless tanning lotions or bronzers. And don’t forget to use sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors, summer or winter.

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^{January 2006}

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