By now we all know that tanning is dangerous. Because research shows just one session in a tanning bed – or one sunburn – increases our odds of melanoma by 20%. Even if you tan and don’t burn, dermatologists from Johns Hopkins say any browning of the skin is sun damage. And a tan will NOT protect you from sun damage, DNA damage or skin cancer. It’s like having no sunscreen on at all. But new research says tanning is even more dangerous when we’re drinking alcohol. In fact, researchers found having just half a drink a day raises our risk for melanoma from UV exposure by an additional 20%, compared with people who rarely or never drink. That’s because alcohol increases skin’s sensitivity to light, making us more likely to burn. Bottom line: Use sunscreen… and skip the poolside cocktails. 

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