A sun-kissed face is one thing that is sure to brighten up those dreary winter days, but many do not realize how harmful it is to tan at a tanning salon.
We all see girls that walk through the hallways looking like they just dove head first into an enormous pool of Doritos, and despite how they may feel about their new orange hue, onlookers know how ridiculous they look.
What most don’t know is that this can be the beginning of a lifelong battle with serious skin problems.
The ultraviolet radiation given off from these beds can end up becoming a dangerous reality for most tanning crazed people.
According to the FDA, tanning salons use beds that emit both UV-B and UV-A rays. UV-B go into the top layers of skin causing sunburns. UV-A rays go deeper into the skin and are associated with rashes and other allergic reactions.
The difference between the indoor tanning beds compared to tanning outdoors in the warmer months is this harmful radiation.
These rays can lead to damaged skin and possibly even skin cancer, especially melanoma, a tumor of the melanocytes which produce the color of one’s skin, and squamous cell carcinoma, a cancer of the main part of the epidermis.
Junior Ryan Chilcoat has a strong opinion on tanning due to these risks.
“My grandfather died from melanoma, and my mom had the beginning stages of skin cancer both from being exposed to the sun,” said Chilcoat. “I’m really against it.”
It is obvious that not every person who tans will acquire one of these diseases, but the risks are very high.
The probability of getting melanoma increases by 75 percent if one began using the tanning bed before age 35.
Sun bronzed skin is typically a goal amongst many before events like homecoming and especially prom, but it’s important to take into consideration these high risks.
If one feels it is necessary to tan, moderation is the key.
Junior Alex Toben believes tanning from time to time is acceptable.
“My mom only lets me do it for [cheer] competitions and for homecoming,” said Tobe., “So I only do it for about four months out of the year…”.
Try getting a small tanning package exclusively for the time before prom season or one with limited minutes to prevent overuse.
Before tanning, be sure to use indoor tanning lotion that protects from the strong UV rays. Also, put on the goggles provided by the salon in order to shield the eyes and help prevent eye cancer and vision problems.
When actually getting into the tanning bed, it is extremely important to pay attention to how your skin feels while tanning. If any feeling of burning or pain is occurring, stop the session immediately.
It’s crucial to remember the risks that indoor tanning presents, no matter how often one heads to the salon to achieve that golden glow.
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