The Dangers of Tanning Beds

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“One person dies of melanoma every hour (every 62 minutes)” (Polsky). People should not lie in the tanning bed. Lying in the tanning bed can cause skin cancer, can become addictive, and can damage your body. Tanning is a commonly used by Caucasian women to cause their skin tone to darken. Melanin is what gives skin its color. Naturally, when we are exposed to sun, the production of a pigment known as melanin starts which itself acts as a deterrent to the burning effects of ultra violet rays of sun (Pakhare). Some Caucasians find it necessary to tan to increase beauty. It is not necessary to tan to increase beauty. The number of individuals using tanning beds is extremely large. Nearly 30 million people in the U.S. tan in tanning salons every year; on average, that's more than 1 million people a day who are baking themselves under tanning lamps (“The Dangers of”). Tanning beds are a large attraction to individuals. 2.3 million teens visit tanning salons in the U.S. every year (“The Dangers of”). Teenagers feel as if they need to tan to look good or to feel like they fit in. A review of seven studies revealed that your risk of melanoma increases by 75 percent if you're exposed to tanning beds before the age of 35 (“The Dangers of). Not all individuals realize the increased risk of getting melanoma by lying in the tanning bed. Tanning can be harsh to your skin. The light coming from the sun contains different wavelengths of ultra violet (UV) waves. The two types of waves concerned about are UVA rays and UVB rays. UVA rays are long waves that cause more damage than a UVB ray. UVA rays penetrate deeper into your skin and cause tanning (“The Dangers of”). More and more exposure to UVA rays can cause permanent damage ... ... middle of paper ... ..., you can sun bathe with sun screen on to protect your skin from some UV rays, but at the same time getting tan. Another alterative could be, spray on tanning, which is where your body gets sprayed with a shade to make you appear to be tan. Spray on tans last around five to ten days. The alternatives for getting tan are safer for you and your body. Next time you consider lying in the tanning bed, consider these alternatives. Individuals lying in tanning beds should consider an alternative to ensure a decrease in the chances of skin cancer and becoming addicted to the tanning bed. Tanning beds may cause you to look tan now, but the chances of skin cancer, becoming addicted, and damaging your body could potentially affect you for the rest of your life. Do not let tanning determine who you are, decide whether the benefit is worth the risk. Think before you tan.

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