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The negative effects of tanning beds
The negative effects of tanning beds
The dangers of tanning beds short essay
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In America, 10,250 people died from skin cancer this past year, according to the American Cancer Society. Skin cancer, the most common of all cancers, accounts for nearly all cancers in the United States. Over one million cases are diagnosed in this country each year (Johnnie).
The reason for all of this? UV exposure. America’s value of life is very high, yet many people die just because they are not wise enough to keep out of the sun.
The greatest danger from this problem is faced by teenagers. Studies have shown that among artificial tanners, those who started at an early age are more likely to develop skin cancer. Out of high school-aged girls, 51 percent reported using a commercial tanning bed at least four times in the past year (Perron). The fact of the matter is younger people do not have the foresight to realize that being tan isn’t worth the sometimes fatal after-effects.
The social desirability of a tan is a modern phenomenon, beginning in the 1920’s when the French designer Coco Chanel decreed it as a fashion look. The concept of obtaining a tan without going outdoors became increasingly attractive (Aldige). Today’s media influences everyone, but especially young people, to feel like they need to have that beautiful dark skin color to look good. Teenagers, caring more about their social status and appearance, are looking past the obvious risks of skin cancer. Teenagers ages 12 to 17 are visiting tanning salons in record numbers. This trend presents a huge level of concern, as studies have shown that the risk for skin cancer increases when tanning begins at a younger age. With this fad being so popular, teens are always finding themselves at the tanning salons, becoming nice and crispy.
The best way to keep everyone from this fatal cancer is by completely not allowing teenagers below the age of 18 to ever go to a tanning bed. There have been several other health risks that have been legislated against, such as smoking, drinking, and using seat belts. Why not tanning? We need to make it completely illegal for kids with such delicate skin to go fake-baking. Before the age of 18, teenager’s brains are not mature enough to make wise decisions about something that could greatly affect their lives.
Some would argue that they can still go out in the sun and get skin cancer. Experts agree that sunburns are caused primarily by exposure to UVB rays; however, UVA rays do not burn, but actually may do more harm.
Every young girl or woman in America wants their image to look like a Barbie doll. This perfection includes being extremely skinny and extremely tan. In order to achieve this Barbie-like image women and men have been using tanning beds or spray tans to alter their appearance. Tanning beds can prove to be very harmful to a person’s health and can cause extremely dangerous medical conditions, including the most deadly type of cancer. However, fake tans can also be used in a positive way for some people who use them sparingly.
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.
Artificial tanning has become a sub-culture for youths across the nation. Those who do not go tanning are a minority and those who do tan ignore the health risks posted in every tanning booth and bed in the state of Massachusetts. However, for Jim Rice, a middler chemical engineering major at Northeastern University, the health risks of tanning transformed into a frightening reality.
Informing you on a everyday thing some girls do, which is tanning. Two main questions you have to ask yourself is it healthy? And will it cause skin cancer ? Well to answer both of those questions you can get skin cancer, and it is healthy for you. Only some parts of it is healthy though, not all of it. And thats what we will be explaining in this paper today. We both do tan so we’re not against it and see the good thing about tanning. Not everyone has to be on our side, some people may like tanning naturally better to begin with.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. There are two different types of skin cancers: Melanomas and non-melanomas. To understand both of these terms a little better you need to be aware that your skin is divided up into 3 layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutis. The top layer, the epidermis, is very thin and serves to protect the deeper layers of the skin. The epidermis is also composed of basal cells, which in turn divide to form squamous cells and melanocytes. Melanoma skin cancer develops from the melanocytes and non-melanomas skin cancer develops from the basal and squamous cells.
UV radiation causes significant damage to human skin, in the form of sunburns, aging, skin cancer, and nonmelanoma tumors. Human skin damage is primarily a result of tanning. The
Though skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and has more than a thousand types, there are so many ways to prevent it.Examples are, staying in the shade, especially during late morning and early afternoon. Whenever possible, put on sunscreen. Avoid tanning bed, booths, etc. at all costs. They are more dangerous than help. Keep areas covered where sun may expose more. Keep infants out of the sun. Their skin is thinner and more fragile than adults. Keep a close eye on your skin. The skin cancer foundation recommends a head to toe check monthly. Wear a hat and shades to prevent constant exposer to your head and eyes. The statistics of the people who have developed skin cancer and ones who have died because of it is alarming. Last year over 100,000 people were diagnosed with a cancer of the skin and an alarming number of over 12,000 died.
Skin cancer occurs twice often in men than in women. The highest rates of skin cancer occurs in South Africa and Australia. It is common among white skinned people but rare in dark skinned people. (Bair, 1991, P. 367) Statistics show that the most common cancer is skin cancer. Over six hundred thousand people in the United States have skin cancer. Moreover, in every three new cases of cancer, one happens to be skin cancer. Approximately forty to fifty percent of people who reach sixty-five have skin cancer ( Dollinger, 1995, P. 579)
Everyone has their own opinion about the use of indoor tanning beds. Some people love to tan because they like the way their skin looks after, others don’t care for the idea of “fake baking” during the winter months. For many years now people have been trying to pass bills/laws to ban all minors from using indoor tanning beds. Many states have already passed laws saying anyone younger than 16 cannot tan indoor and so 16 years and older have to have parent consent in order to use a tanning bed.
Why do teens do it though? It looks healthy to have a tan, but teens don’t know what dangers that tanning beds have to offer. Sadly, teens are the ones paying the price. About 29% of white high school girls use tanning beds, according to a new study, whose findings have alarmed doct...
Using a tanning bed for a nice bronze or prom? Think again. You’re actually helping up your body’s risk of skin cancer by 75% if under the age of 35 (NCSL). The World Health Organization's International Agency of Research on Cancer have declared ultraviolet radiation from artificial sources, such as tanning beds and sun lamps, to be a well known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) (AAD.org). The federal government needs to further legislate tanning bed exposure by raising the age of usage, limiting the power of the beds and further reduce exposure times.
Indoor Tanning beds are controversial and not without risk. The positives and negitives should be told straight up when going to a tanning salon. The risk of developing melanoma skin cancer from over exposure to UVA and UVB radiation has been proven and well documented by the medical field and research. There are a few benefits of using indoor tanning beds such as a positive mood boost, healing of some types of skin disorders and in the production of vitamin D. One must be educated about the use of indoor tanning before deciding to indulge and weigh the risks and benefits before making the decision to go tanning long term.
Skin cancer is a disease where cancer (malignant) cells are found on the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). The three types of cells found in the epidermis are squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes. These cells in time grow to be cancerous. Thus, the three types of skin cancers are squamous cell, basal cell, and melanoma. Melanoma is the most deadliest and destructive type of cancer. (“Skin Cancer” infotrac.com) The number of people with melanoma has risen in Scotland from 3.5 in 1979 to 10.6 per 100,000 in 1998 for men and 7.0 to 13.1 for women. (Miller 945) Squamous cell and Basal cell skin cancer can kill up to 2,200 people a year in the United States. (Sommerfield SIRS.com) Basal cell, being the most common type of skin cancer, is the cancer that about 75 percent of the people have. (“Skin Cancer “ infotrac.com) Melanoma is mostly seen in older men but ever since tanning came in during the 1970’s, it has increased in women 60 percent around the ages 15-29 over the past three decades.(Sommerfield SIRS.com) “And basal cell and squamous cell cancers are increasing at a rate of about 5 percent per year”(Sommerfield SIRS.com).
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 90 percent of all skin cancers that is not melanoma and 65 percent of all melanomas are directly related to sun exposure. Upwards of 3.5 million cases are reported in the US every year. Melanomas can be fatal.
Probably the most commonly used word by your dermatologist, your beautician, your pharmacist or just the girl next door, and for a good reason. The sun’s damaging UV rays can single-handedly destroy your skin over time and in some cases even cause irreparable damage. It will burn your skin, dry it out, destroy collagen fibers and predispose you to cancer. Whether it’s a scorching sun or not, whether you are outdoors or not, sunscreen is an everyday must-wear. You have a choice.