Heading to the beach or pool? What to know about sunscreen, tanning
For scores of people across the Northern Hemisphere, that means trips to the beach or pool.
While achieving a "sun-kissed" tan is on many a summer bucket list, health experts are warning you not to ditch the sunscreen in an attempt to get your desired results more quickly.
"Tanned skin is not a sign of healthy skin," dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky previously told USA TODAY. "Tanning is your body's attempt to produce more melanin to protect your skin from further DNA damage."
Here's what you need to know about sunscreen and tanning before your next sunny outing.
Is chemical or mineral sunscreen better? Dermatologists discuss UV protection
Does sunscreen prevent tanning?
The short answer: Yes, when it's used correctly. The longer answer: That's a good thing.
"Sunscreen works to reduce the amount of UV exposure to your skin," Zubritsky explains.
Excessive UV exposure is responsible for more than 90% of skin cancers, according to Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health. Getting one severe sunburn before adulthood more than doubles the chance of developing skin cancer later in life, and getting more than five sunburns can double your risk of developing melanoma, a less common but more deadly form of skin cancer.
Research has shown that roughly 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, and experts estimate that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their lives, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
But, Zubritsky adds, "even in a perfect scenario, most SPFs do not block 100% of UV rays from touching our skin, so there is still a risk that we can tan even when applying sunscreen, especially if sunscreens aren't used according to their instructions."
Sarah Ferguson treated for skin cancer: What to know about melanoma, sunscreen
Want to tan faster (and safer)?
Refraining from using sunscreen isn't the answer to quick tanning, experts say.
For an even faster – and safer – tan process, Zubritsky recommends getting a spray tan or purchasing sunless tanning products, such as over-the-counter self-tanners.
While self-tanning products are considered safer than spray tans or natural tans, some concerns have arisen surrounding dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is the ingredient in fake tanning products that gives skin a brown pigment. But it's approved by the Food and Drug Administration for topical use, and medical experts say that when applied to the top layer of skin, it's unlikely to cause any major concerns.
Zubritsky also notes that there's no truth to the idea that getting a "base tan" before vacation is safer: "This will not protect your skin from burning or further DNA damage," she says.
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Developed by Certified Balance Specialist Chris Wilson, the program continues to provide structured instruction centered around the stimulation of the deep peroneal nerve —a sensory-motor pathway shown in academic studies to play a critical role in foot reflexes and muscular coordination. Unlike strength-based fitness plans or conventional physiotherapy sessions, Neuro Balance Therapy centers on a simple, time-efficient daily ritual that requires no gym equipment, medication, or clinical oversight. This protocol uses a proprietary 'nerve wake-up' ball designed to apply patterned pressure across the plantar surface of the foot to help retrain dormant nerve endings that contribute to instability. The 2025 update maintains its original DVD format with guided video sequences segmented by progression level—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—while also offering a digital option for increased accessibility. 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Its core premise—that reawakening a dormant foot nerve can reengage natural reflexes and increase stability—reflects the growing interest in nervous system-focused approaches that move beyond traditional exercise or strength-building routines. While not positioned as a replacement for clinical care, the protocol meets a gap in the market where education, self-reliance, and routine movement rituals converge. Further information, including transparency disclosures and instructional methodology, is available through the authorized distribution channel. Section 4 – Spotlight on Proprioceptive Tools and Neuromuscular Activation At the core of the Neuro Balance Therapy protocol is a targeted tool: a specialized spiked ball engineered to stimulate sensory receptors along the sole of the foot. While deceptively simple in appearance, the design is based on emerging studies around tactile feedback and the role of deep nerves in foot stability. 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Program components are designed to complement, not replace, broader wellness or physical rehabilitation efforts and are delivered in alignment with current best practices in consumer safety and instructional clarity. Further product details, background information, and transparency disclosures can be found on the official program website. Information about program structure, availability, and research alignment can be found at the official access site. Section 7 – Final Observations and Industry Context The current landscape of fall-prevention solutions reveals an evolving market shaped by demographic trends and wellness consumer expectations. As the population over 60 continues to expand, so does the need for preventative strategies that prioritize accessibility, non-invasiveness, and autonomy. 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Established by Certified Balance Specialist Chris Wilson, the program draws on over a decade of experience in balance instruction and proprioceptive training. Rooted in research-backed methods, Neuro Balance Therapy offers instructional tools designed to help activate underutilized sensory nerves responsible for lower-body coordination. The company's approach reflects a broader commitment to empowering individuals through accessible routines that promote physical self-reliance. Neuro Balance Therapy does not provide treatment or diagnostic services and encourages all users to consult their healthcare provider before beginning any new movement or balance routine. Contact Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
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Hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers that serve this population will be paid significantly less, likely resulting in reductions in services or closures. 'California is going to take a huge hit,' said Kristof Stremikis of the California Health Care Foundation, a nonprofit that researches health policy. 'There's really no way around it. Millions of people are going to lose health insurance coverage, that insurance is going to be less generous, and providers are going to get paid less.' It will hit some parts of the state harder than others. In the Central Valley counties of Tulare and Fresno, 54% to 64% of residents are on Medi-Cal. In San Francisco, 29% of residents are on Medi-Cal, according to UC Berkeley Labor Center. More than half the children in California from birth to age 5 are eligible for Medi-Cal, according to First 5 Center for Children's Policy. 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Even though research shows that the vast majority of people who receive the benefits already work full time, the additional paperwork and more frequent administrative hurdles are expected to cause about 5 million people to lose coverage, 'not necessarily because they're not working, but because they'd fail to navigate reporting procedures,' said Alice Burns, associate director of KFF's Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured. People who get benefits through Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors and people with disabilities, will also likely be harmed, policy analysts said. This is because many low-income seniors get both Medicare and Medicaid, known as 'dual eligible' individuals. Many rely on Medicaid to cover the cost of long-term nursing home care, because that is not covered by Medicare. The bill does away with two rules that help these low-income seniors enroll in Medicare Savings Programs and streamline the application and renewal process for Medicaid. 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