DOCTOR, SALONS DIFFER ON TANNING

Dr. Kenneth Dempsey, a Sikeston dermatologist who also has an office in Cape Girardeau, displayed a cross section of skin while explaining damage that can occur from overexposure to sunlight.

Even though tanning salon owners tell their customers to go slow to keep from burning, one area dermatologist says there is no way to get a safe tan.

Dermatologist Kenneth Demspey, who has offices in Sikeston and on Tuesdays at Cape Girardeau, said people receive all the sunlight they need for through normal daily exposure.

Research shows ultraviolet radiation from the sun, the same as from tanning beds, causes wrinkles, ages the skin and increases the potential for skin cancer later in life, he said, adding that blond, blue-eyed people with little pigment in their skins are at highest risk for damage.

Dempsey wears a broad-brimmed hat and sun screen with at least an SPF-15 rating during the summer.

A large portion of Dempsey's practice is treating sun-induced skin damage.

"There is no such thing as a safe tan and no such thing as a safe burn," he said, adding that people need to know the long-term hazards of constant exposure to the sun.

And, he advocates everyone should use effective sun screens outside.

Another warning, people should stay away from sun-drenched areas and be aware of the reflected light from water or sand that causes as much damage as sunlight.

And, he doesn't support artificial tanning to prepare for vacations.

Tanning beds are a case of "buyer beware," he said, adding that tanning salons are selling a product and clients should make an informed choice about their use.

While Dempsey doesn't recommend tanning salons, several Cape Girardeau salons are busy at this time of year helping people get a tan for summer.

Scott "Andy" Stone, co-owner with his wife of the TNT Tanning Salon at 2027 Independence, recommends first-time tanners "to do it slowly."

He told Kelly Naeger, of Tamms, Ill., and a senior at Egyptian High School, "you have young skin and you want to keep it looking that way."

Naeger was getting a tan to look good for her prom in April.

Myra Jung, owner of Eurotan at 1400 N. Kingshighway, tries to fit customers' tanning packages to their skin type and gradually work them into the tan they want.

"We don't want them to burn," Jung said.

Eric Young's Tan America at 2021 Themis has been under the same ownership, since 1986, longer than similar businesses.

For light-skinned customers, who are 8 percent of his customers, he recommends 10-minute tanning sessions to start.

Young estimated a customer could get a "good tan" in a month for about $50. It would take 10 to 15 sessions for someone with a dark complexion, longer for a lighter-skinned person.

Jennifer Ackerman, a 24-year-old tanning consultant at Young's salon with a dark tan herself, recommends moisturizers before and after her customers' tanning sessions.

Some younger customers are preparing for spring break. Older customers tan to look good and to relax, and some other people tan before they go on vacation.

Jung said this is a busy time of year for tanning salons. About 60 percent of her customers will come to the salon before the spring season while the other 40 percent tan year-round.

"College kids want to have that perfect tan before spring break," said Jung, who estimated she had an even split between men and women customers. "Everyone gets spring fever and wants to be outside."

Young thinks 70 percent of his customers are women. From March through May, 380 customers visit his salon daily, but it drops to 100 during slower times.

Roxane Magnus, owner of Class Computers and one of TNT's customers, said she tans because she doesn't like her white legs when she wears shorts.

She said she feels more confident about myself and "my husband likes me with a tan."

Jung said inside tanning is a safe environment because there is more control than just relying on the sun, and her tanning consultants know what to do and recommend the right lotions for a tan.

"The whole point is to start the tanning process on the inside," Jung said. "Then when you go outside, you won't burn and have to worry about that."