We’re officially in the spring season. Of course, campus is seeing the most snow that it has seen all semester. Everyone is sick and tired of winter weather at this point, not to mention the ghostly pale appearances that come with it. Especially after seeing all our classmates with newly bronzed skin (thanks Spring Break), people are yearning for that healthy glow. Many girls, myself included, feel much more attractive with a nice tan. As a result, the use of indoor tanning beds have become extremely popular. It’s so easy. Just take a quick trip down town and you’re good to go. Despite this easy tactic to avoid pasty winter skin, I have never ventured into a tanning bed. My Irish skin would fry; honestly, I prefer paleness to an obnoxious burn. My fair skin has led me to be a little more cautious about sun exposure. With more and more research linking tanning beds to skin cancer, it’s pretty safe to say I won’t be jumping into one anytime soon; although I cannot say I haven’t been tempted.
According to recent FDA announcements, artificial tanning beds have been proven to increase chances of developing melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest kind of skin cancer, and is caused most often by severe sun damage occurring at a young age. People of a young age often engage in an “it won’t happen to me” mentality and therefore, undermine many risks presented to them. However, the American Academy of Dermatology reports that melanoma is the second most common cancer in women 20 to 29 years old. NCI reports that women who use tanning beds more than once a month are 55 percent more likely to develop melanoma.
In addition to its highly carcinogenic risk, tanning beds also pose the following risks:
- premature aging: sun exposure causes skin to lose elasticity, leading to wrinkly, leather-looking skin (gross!).
- Weakened immune system
- Eye damage
Now, some may think “well I tan outside anyways so I’m at risk either way, why not choose the more convenient option?” But think about it. While outside, you’re (hopefully) wearing some form of sun protection lotion. And you attain a much more gradual tan. Tanning beds’ rays are much more highly concentrated compared to natural sunlight and therefore much more potent.
These facts might not stop change your decision to use a tanning bed, but at least know what risks you are exposing your body to. Artificial tanning lotions are a much safer alternative to keep in mind!