The Benefits Of Tanning Beds?

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The 21st century has brought about many trends and technologies conforming America as an egotistical society. With growing popularity in everything from fad diets to Botox, it seems as though people would do almost anything to maintain a certain look. With a healthy body due to extreme diets and a wrinkle free face induced by anti-aging injections, there is another beauty extreme that people seek: a tan to die for. Since early two thousand up until the present, there has been an excessive increase in the popularity of indoor tanning and the use and misuse of tanning beds. With the many known harmful effects that artificial tanning has on its consumer, states have put laws in place to limit those exposed to these ultra violet rays. However, that being said, there is no universal law for the age restriction of tanning salons. We all know the risks of tanning beds and that they are extremely harmful when abused, yet many are unaware that today these beds are strictly regulated and when used in moderation, they can have health benefits. Taking into account the risks and benefits of artificial tanning, the age for tanning be 18 universally. There is a mix of age restrictions put in place across the fifty states. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (2014), some states ban the use of tanning beds for those under 14, some ban it under 16, and others require parental permission for use between the ages 14 and 18. Only seven states have taken action and put a complete ban on tanning for all minors under 18, unless prescribed medically by a physician (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2014). Many bills have been drawn up by numerous states in attempts to take a stricter control on tanning consumers; however,... ... middle of paper ... ...hi, & Linos, 2012, p.1). These indoor tanning facilities are taking a toll on the health status of individual’s, which in turn, results in a huge financial burden on the United States health costs due to the necessary treatment these cancers (Watson et, al., 2014, p. e4). It is difficult to reinforce this knowledge to adolescents because they seem to believe that they are invincible. Teens attending these indoor tanning facilities are focused on the here and now motto. Being tan makes these adolescents feel more attractive in their “golden years.” They are more concerned with that notion rather than what is to come in the later years of their life. However, what if a family member or even themselves were to be diagnosed with skin cancer, which later lead to death? Are these tragic circumstances the only means to making adolescent realize how serious this issue is?

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