The Effects of Tanning

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The Effects Of Tanning

Some people may not know it, but your risk of developing skin cancer is three times as likely if you use a tanning bed(Lazovich et al 1). You may think that tanning will make you look better or feel better, but the risks far outweigh the benefits. Tanning may cause skin cancer, depression and anxiety, and there is poor public awareness of the risks.

To first understand how you get tan or you get sunburnt you have to learn about ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet radiation is composed of three different wavelengths: UVA, UVB, and UVC. These different types of radiation are classified by their wavelengths, which can be measured by the depth that they penetrate your skin, and by how far they travel(Ultraviolet Radiation 1).

UVA rays have the longest wavelength. They travel 360 miles to 460 miles. This type of radiation penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin. This is also the type of radiation that is thought to cause premature aging and skin cancer. These rays are around during the winter time and during all daylight hours. Although UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, they are not as intense as UVB rays. UVA rays are less intense than UVB because the UVA rays are less absorbed by your DNA which causes less dangerous mutations. Such as less dangerous forms of skin cancer. This type of radiation can also pass through glass (Ultraviolet Radiation 1).

UVB rays are the middle range of UV radiation. These wavelengths travel 333 miles to 368 miles. This type of radiation also causes tanning, wrinkles, and burning. It also plays an important part in the development of skin cancer. The time of day when UVB rays are most present between 10 A.M to 4 P.M between the months of April and October. These...

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... tanning beds. Tanning beds at this moment are classified as Class I medical devices. Also items in this category are tongue depressors and elastic bandages. The Food and Drug Administration has proposed to congress that tanning beds be classified as Class II or Class III devices. This change would impose higher taxes on the tanning beds. In the health reform bill, signed by President Obama, there was a 10% tax increase for the use of tanning beds. This increase has been put in place because teens have less spending money than adults and the money increase would discourage teenage use of tanning beds. The Federal Trade Commission has also been more strict on the marketing of indoor tanning. Recently in January of 2010 the Indoor Tanning Association marketed false health and safety claims in its ads, and the Federal Trade Commission made them retract the ad(Szabo 1).

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