If you feel down, depressed and lethargic during the winter months and have found that tanning helps boost your mood, you aren't the only one. The warm artificial UV rays and the light that emits from the tanning bed is an instant mood booster. You feel happier and, well, prettier with that glow.

Except you shouldn't be baking your skin in artificial UV rays because it greatly increases your risk for melanoma and other types of skin cancers. Your chances of premature aging and developing wrinkles also skyrockets. If you are fair skinned such as myself, you really shouldn't be baking your skin.

According to skincancer.org, people who first use a tanning bed before the age of 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75 percent. I used my first tanning bed at a place called Midnite Sun & Cruise at the age of 15. It was January and I found myself to be depressed. I did not know at the time that I suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder aka SAD - most people who live in areas where it's cloudy and cold most of the year suffer from SAD.

I loved my first fake n' bake. It was warm and cozy. I welcomed the heat of the rays on body. I noticed that my skin began to darken and I loved the way I looked and felt. I thought I looked more fit and felt more attractive. I stopped wearing foundation because I didn't think I needed it any longer. My friends at school noticed my newfound confidence. Many of the girls my age would tan too. It wasn't uncommon to hit up the tanning salon after school.

I went to the salon nearly every day for a year, maybe longer. I became addicted to tanning. When I couldn't go, I would become agitated, angry and start crying. I craved the dopamine squirt that resulted from spending 10 or so minutes in a tanning bed. I felt this was the fix I needed for my self-confidence and it helped my depression.

I haven't gone tanning too much since then after realizing how addicted I became to tanning. I did tan on and off throughout high school and most of college. As much as it helps with my mood during the winter months, I am already at an increased risked for melanoma and skin cancer. I'm 27 years old and I see wrinkles around my eyes that are the result of long term tanning as a teenager.

I wish I wouldn't have spent so much time in the tanning bed as a teen. It did do damage to my skin and as I get older, I am checking my skin for unusual moles daily.

To get a glow without baking and burning your skin in artificial rays, find a decent bronzer to add to your makeup routine. I now know how to fake a tan with bronzer instead of frying my poor skin.

If you also suffer from SAD and go tanning to boost your mood, I recommend alternative treatments, such as:

Sad Therapy Light Boxes -

You can find them on websites such as Amazon and sadlamps.org. I have a Sad Therapy Light Box and it does help if used consistently.

Increase Vitamin D Intake -

A lack of Vitamin D can have a serious impact on your mood; I recommend eating foods rich in Vitamin D such as yogurt, egg yolks, salmon, cheese, milk, almond milk, beef, orange juice, oatmeal and more. Vitamin D supplements in addition to these foods will also help lift your mood.

Exercise -

As we all know, exercise boosts mood and helps alleviate depression. I am guilty of not getting enough exercise, but it helps tremendously. Go to the gym with a workout buddy or search the web for at-home workouts. Even just taking a 30 minute walk every day will help.

Talk therapy -

If you find that you are feeling depressed or hopeless every day to the point it is interfering with your daily life, a therapist will likely to help. To find a therapist in your area, use Psychology Today's "Find a Therapist" tool. A therapist can help you learn coping skills through cognitive behavioral therapy or other forms of therapy.

Medications -

If no other forms of treatment are working for you, then medications such as antidepressants may help. Talk with a psychiatrist your primary care physician first to find out if you think medication is the route you would like to go.

As much as tanning seems to help with mood and self-confidence, remember that the short-term benefits turn are likely to turn into long-term problems such as premature aging and skin cancer.

Don't bake your skin for a temporary glow. It's not worth it.