To Tan or Not to Tan

Most of us are eager to have a golden tan for summer that everyone will admire but we don't often think about the dangers caused by tanning.
To have a nice golden tan gives one the appearance of healthy attractiveness but is tanning healthy? Spending time in the sun can cause sunburn, wrinkles, age spots and much more. Getting that much desired glow at a tanning salon is safer than being out in the sun or is it? Research studies are continually showing that indoor tanning is not nearly as safe as the tanning industry claims it is. The Ultraviolet A light sources that are used may in fact emit twice the amount of Ultraviolet A that reaches earth from the sun. There are no benefits to artificial tanning but there are several risks such as eye damage, premature aging and skin cancer. Studies show that skin cancer has dramatically increased in recent years and that people who use tanning beds on a regular basis are more likely to develop malignant melanoma.

Over a million Americans visit tanning salons daily. It's a big business industry that is not going to willingly say or do anything that would jeopardize its money making ability. Even with the risks being known, many people continue to flock to tanning salons just as smokers continue to buy cigarettes. We know what we are doing to our bodies yet we continue to do it. Tanning is skin damage. No matter how nice our bronze bodies look, we are in a sense saying that we have damaged our skin.

The sun's rays are strongest between the hours of ten in the morning to four in the afternoon. When going out in the sun during these hours, a sunscreen should always be worn preferrably with an SPF of at least 15. Many dermatologists and scientists agree that tanning is not safe by any method. Sun poisoning can occur not only from exposure to the sun's rays but also from the light of artificial tanning. The type of skin an individual was born with can help determine how tanning will affect its appearance over time. Many people with fair skin will take on a reddish, scaly texture to their skin while those with a darker or olive type complexion tend to wrinkle quicker and develop a leathery look after prolonged exposure to either the sun or tanning beds.

Excessive exposure damages superficial blood vessels and destroys connective tissue. It can also cause fever, chills and nausea. According to all the evidence that has been put forth by experts in the health field among others, it certainly seems that artificial tanning presents the same risks as exposure to the sun. Our society places great emphasis on appearance which is understandable and normal but it is not normal when we endanger our health for the sake of appearance. It is bad enough to put our health at risk by over-exposure to the sun but when we go to tanning salons we are willingly paying to jeopardize our health. Think about it. If you must tan, take every precaution possible to protect your skin and limit your exposure. You only have one skin so wear it well.

About the Author

Darlene Zagata is a freelance writer and poet. Her work has appeared in several electronic and print publications. Darlene is the Editor of the Health department at RITRO.com and she co-authors a column with her son at RaisingASon.com. She is also a Review Editor for MyShelf.com and an Editorial Reviewer for The Writer's Room Magazine. Her book of poetry "Aftertaste" is now available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Her first book of fiction, "The Choosing" is currently in the process of publication.

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