Don’t tell me you believe any of these.

True or false: A base tan will protect your skin. Answer: BIG FALSE.

Photo: Unsplash

One of the nicest things about living in Hawaii was the abundant sunshine. Typically, highs were in the mid to high 80s. Nights were in the low 80s nights. But I quickly discovered: the very sun that blessed the islands with blissful warmth and light dramatically increases odds of developing skin cancer.

I live in Seattle now, but skin cancer is nearly as prevalent here as in the Hawaiian Islands. I spoke with Dr. Karen Yamamoto, a dermatologist in private practice in Honolulu. I asked her to rate these myths: 

1. A base tan will protect your skin 
“Completely, utterly bogus,” sniffed Dr. Yamamoto. “Tanned skin is damaged skin, period. So if you’re lying out at the swimming pool without protection, thinking you’re putting on some kind of skin glove, you’re kidding yourself. Later, you’ll just be piling on additional damage.”

If your so-called base tan comes from a tanning bed, be worried. Each time you lay supine on those beds, you are significantly increasing your odds of developing skin cancer. Those UVA rays emitted from the beds are extremely powerful.

2. Skin cancer is largely a Caucasian disease
Ding! That’s another wrong answer. Fair-skinned people of northern European descent are more likely to burn than other groups, but skin cancer strikes every population. Hispanics are developing skin cancer in the U.S. at a faster rate than any other population group, according to a Skin Cancer Foundation study.

3. You can’t burn on a cloudy day 
“Completely erroneous,” said Dr. Yamamoto. “You need sun protection all day, every day, year-round.”

4. Using sunblock will deplete your body of Vitamin D 
This myth persists, according to the National Skin Cancer Foundation, because many northerners absorb less vitamin D during the winter months.  “But you still absorb the vitamin through your hair, scalp, and fingernails,” says Dr. Yamamoto. To be on the safe side, take a vitamin D supplement each day.

One Surprising Truth:

Skin cancer is usually curable 
If caught and treated in time, even the deadliest form of skin cancer can be treated successfully, according to the National Skin Cancer Foundation. Early detection is key. Check your body every month for moles that have grown or changed shape. If you’re over 30, schedule a professional skin consultation once a year. If you have a family history of skin cancer, have a dermatologist check your skin twice a year.