Tanning Crisis

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Every day millions of women and men interrupt their daily lives and visit tanning beds in order to achieve new levels of darkness. The darkness of this practice goes further than merely skin deep when the risks of tanning are considered. Indoor tanning is a fad that has heavily caught on in recent years. Indoor tanning has made it possible for anyone to catch those rejuvenating rays without having to be on the beach during their once a year vacation. It is easy to start and to continue to tan because it is fast and feels great. However, there are stronger and more negatives to the habit of tanning than there are positives. Research of the negative effects of tanning are widely known and accepted, but this knowledge has not hindered the rate at which tanning occurs. How bronze one is equates with how beautiful that individual is perceived to be. Our nation’s distorted ideals of beauty are a driving force towards the success rate of the tanning industry. Why should an individual go to such lengths to damage themselves for superficial beauty? It is a combination of people conforming to what society expects and an addiction that is created once the practice is started. Research shows that tanning is a cultural pandemic that is strongly linked to melanoma skin cancer, and can cause radical damage to the appearance of skin. Men and women tan not only because they think it improves their appearance, but because tanning can quickly form into an addiction. Like any addiction, tanning easily takes a turn from an occasional visit to the salon to an everyday desire. This addiction and desire is easily fed because tanning salons are open year-round and are found in almost every city. Not to mention, people of almost any age are able to ge... ... middle of paper ... ... Melanoma Research 24.4 (2011): 585. MEDLINE with Full Text. Web. 31 Oct. 2013. Chung, Vinh Q., et al. "Hot Or Not-Evaluating The Effect Of Artificial Tanning On The Public's Perception Of Attractiveness CHUNG ET AL TANNING AND ATTRACTIVENESS." Dermatologic Surgery 36.11 (2010): 1651-1655. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Oct. 2013. Clough-Gorr, Kerri, et al. "Exposure To Sunlamps, Tanning Beds, And Melanoma Risk." Cancer Causes And Control Preprints (2013): 1-11. E-Journals. Web. 31 Oct. 2013. "Indoor Tanning Is Strongly Linked To Melanoma Risk." Harvard Women's Health Watch 18.1 (2010): 7. MEDLINE with Full Text. Web. 31 Oct. 2013. Woo, Denise K, and Melody J Eide. "Tanning Beds, Skin Cancer, And Vitamin D: An Examination Of The Scientific Evidence And Public Health Implications." Dermatologic Therapy 23.1 (2010): 61-71. MEDLINE with Full Text. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.

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