Each year students around the U.S. take off for sunny destinations to celebrate Spring Break. While these vacations can be a necessary break from the stress of school, they also spur an increase of unnecessary and dangerous tanning bed use.

People are making their 2011 New Year’s resolutions. For many, forming healthy habits is a high priority, including more physical activity, healthy eating or quitting smoking. This year, consider adding this one to your list – Resolve to Make 2011 the year of No Tanning Beds.

This winter, as you head outside for your favorite winter activities or start planning a sunny vacation getaway, don’t forgo your sun protection! Here are some common sun protection myths to keep in mind during the wintertime.

Dermatologist Dr. Jaime Davis of Uptown Dermatology talks about the need for vitamin D and the best ways to obtain sufficient levels. Ultraviolet light is not the safest way to get your vitamin D.

Are you still using tanning beds? Are you addicted? Our friends at SunAWARE have uncovered additional evidence that tanning beds have addictive qualities. “Repeat tanners may exhibit addictive behaviors similar to those exhibited by people addicted to substances such as alcohol.”

Dermatologist Dr. Jaime Davis of Uptown Dermatology in Minneapolis, MN shares her expert opinion on the subject of tanning. She says the first thing you need to know about tanning is that “There is No Safe Tan!” Tanning is your skin’s mechanism for protecting itself from unsafe ultraviolet light.