Health messages rarely take precedence over habits that are enjoyable and reinforced by cultural norms. Doctors from the University of Massachusetts took a different approach.  Instead of warning against bad habits, they introduced an alternative.

They challenged the practice of sunbathing right on the beach, promoting sunless tanning products and spreading educational materials about skin cancer.

Their research, recently published in Archives of Dermatology, describes their objectives, methods and results.  During a visit to the beach, they recruited 250 women to participate.  They educated the participants about sunless tanning and the dangers of skin cancer.

After two months, participants reported reduced sunbathing, fewer sunburns and greater use of protective clothing.  One year later, participants reported decreased sunbathing and increased sunless tanning.

Dihydroxyacetone, the active ingredient in tanning lotions, has been FDA approved since 1973 with no harms reported, according to Dr. Sherry Pagoto, who spoke to Reuters news regarding the study.

Read more from Reuters and Archives of Dermatology

[Modernmedicine.com]

You probably know that SPF stands for sun protection factor. But how should you apply that to your daily life and choose an SPF rating that is right for you? People often think the sun protection factor is an estimate of how much time you can spend in the sun. According to the Beauty Brains blog, this is only half of the equation….

[Beauty Brains: What does SPF really mean?]

Do you need cosmetic surgery after massive weight loss? Two sisters in Oklahoma did after they each lost over 130 lbs. Marla Sheperd and Kelly Butler decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery. With help from Dr. Louis Garosby and one cosmetic surgeon in Tulsa, the sisters are looking great.

[Sisters See Incredible Results Following Weight Loss Surgery]