Tanned skin comes from the damage of skin cells from over exposure to the sun. According to SkinCancer.org, “A tan, whether you get it on the beach, in a bed, or through incidental exposure, is bad news, any way you acquire it." Now that summer is only weeks away, it is time to prepare for healthy skin. Living in Florida, building a tan is not hard work. Instead, the task lies in protecting your skin.
As someone that has been an avid tanner for years, and have actively participated in anything from laying on the beach for hours or laying in the tanning bed for 10 minutes, I can say I was completely unaware of the true damage I was incurring on myself, and the great risk that I was taking.
Though some people are not as convinced, tanning can become an addiction. According to SkinCancer.org, “Even among melanoma-prone families, 35 percent of young adults have reported using tanning beds. By persisting in such behavior, tanners resemble persons with substance dependence disorders." Everyone has heard the typical, “Use sunscreen, protect your skin from skin cancer, don't use indoor tanning beds," and yet, it doesn't stop everyone including myself.
I am completely aware that when I say, “I love my tanned skin," I am essentially saying that I love the look of my damaged skin cells rather that, my healthy, natural skin tone. I have always loved having the sun kissed tone in my cheeks, the compliment it has on a white smile, and how it brings out the lightness of my blonde hair.
My tanning began when I was not longer getting my desired color from the natural sun light while lying at the pool. Even during the summer months, I would convince myself that my tanning membership was a necessity, because I just did not have enough time to be as tan as the people that didn't have jobs. After over a year, it has come to the point where I have to choose between liking the way my skin compliments my other features, or if I want to prevent myself from living with the fact that I have paid for skin cancer. I had been paying up to $50.00/ month on my tanning membership, which encouraged my daily usage of the tanning bed because I did not want to “waste my money." Though I have been the person that has said I am not addicted to tanning, it is time to cut cold turkey.
Looking into my future, and after looking through pictures of people my own age getting melanoma removed from their skin, I know that having sun kissed skin is not as important as I have made it out to be. I have turned in my tanning oil for SPF 50 and cancelled my tanning membership. I realized that tanning was not only hurting me but it would hurt the people around me if anything were to develop. It is time to stop being afraid of the dermatologist's lectures, and enjoy my natural skin tone. Make sure you're educated like I was not, and protect your skin this summer!
