- With Mayo Clinic dermatologist
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
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Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Dr. Lawrence Gibson likens bad health information on the Internet to food poisoning.
Consumers, he said, need to be aware, and will find reliable information at MayoClinic.com.
Dr. Gibson, a Covington, Ky., native, has been with Mayo since 1986 and is board certified in dermatology, dermatopathology and immunodermatology. He is a professor of dermatology at Mayo Medical School and a consultant in the Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Gibson has been director of the Dermatopathology Laboratory since 1998 and chair of the Laboratory Division in the Department of Dermatology since 2000. He is especially interested in inflammatory disorders of the skin and lymphoma affecting the skin.
"Electronic information is becoming a staple in the diet of a health conscious society," he said. "It's important to avoid misinformation and provide a credible source for health information. Using this analogy, it's critical to avoid 'indigestion' or worse yet, 'food poisoning' by the ingestion of tainted information."
Staying healthy (3)
- Air fresheners: Are continuous scents harmful?
- Cell phones and cancer: What's the risk?
- Mammogram guidelines: What's changed?
Dental care (3)
- Whitening toothpaste: Does it actually whiten teeth?
- Dental floss vs. water pick: Which is better?
- Electric toothbrush: Better than a regular toothbrush?
Skin care (7)
- Healthy skin: What role does diet play?
- Tanning beds: Safer than the sun?
- Tattoos and MRIs: What's the risk?
- see all in Skin care
Nail care (4)
- Acrylic nails: Can they harm your natural nails?
- Split fingernails: What causes them?
- Nail biting: Does it cause long-term damage?
- see all in Nail care
Eye care (2)
- Eye exam: Do I need a laser retina scan?
- Choosing sunglasses: Is UV protection important?
Sleep (3)
- Melatonin side effects: What are the risks?
- Sleep guidelines: How many hours of sleep are enough?
- Sleep aids: Can antihistamines help me sleep?
Mental health (1)
- Passive-aggressive behavior: How can I recognize it?
Healthy at work (3)
- Shift work: How do I adjust to daytime sleeping?
- Leg pain after prolonged standing or sitting: A concern?
- Test anxiety: Can it be treated?
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Question
Tanning beds: Safer than the sun?
Are tanning beds safer than natural sunlight?
Answer
from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Tanning beds don't offer a safe alternative to natural sunlight. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages your skin, whether the exposure comes from tanning beds or natural sunlight. This damage increases the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. In fact, most tanning beds emit mainly UVA rays — which may increase the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
If you want the golden glow of a tan without exposure to damaging UV radiation, consider using a sunless tanning product. Avoid tanning beds, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen whenever you're outdoors.
Next questionTattoos and MRIs: What's the risk?
- Shrift KR. Sunburn. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 14, 2008.
- Darker side of tanning. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/sun_darker.html. Accessed Aug. 14, 2008.
