If you've ever felt like you needed to go a tanning salon to feel pretty, you're certainly not alone. According to a survey conducted by JAMA dermatology an astounding, "45 percent of the young women surveyed had used tanning beds, with 30 percent using one in the last year." This is an alarming number to me and I'm going to explain to you why.
Skin cancer is on the rise. It's become one of the most prevalent forms of cancer out there. My own Dad was recently diagnosed with a type of skin cancer known as Squamous cell Cancer, which is caused by an uncontrolled growth of abnormal squamous cells. So this issue is close to me and hence my reason for writing this article. Obviously, my dad never beautified himself at a tanning salon, though that would be an entertaining sight. He would resemble an orange Mr. Clean to put it in perspective.
Tanning beds use UV radiation to cause a darker color in the skin. Nothing is natural about them. No matter what they tell you to convince you to spend money, it cannot be disputed that "the cumulative damage caused by UV radiation can lead to premature skin aging (wrinkles, lax skin, brown spots, and more), as well as skin cancer" (skincancer.org). To add to this, additionally people who use a tanning bed before their mid 30s are nearly increasing their melanoma (most toxic skin cancer) by a whopping 75%. So please, think about skipping out on the tanning beds. 20 minutes in one tanning bed is the equivalent of two hours on the beach.
Now, you're probably saying, "why not just get a fake tan?" Well, as you've guessed I've prepared to answer that question as well. Don't get a fake tan. The chemicals used in fake tans to cause that color are a group of color additives known as, dihydroxyacetones (DHA). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved dihydroxyacetone for external application to the skin. Nevertheless, it is incredibly dangerous to inhale or cover your mucous membranes including the lips nose and areas surrounding the eyes. Most tanning salons have you tan your face as well, no? When you're inside a spray tanning booth it's almost inevitable you'll inhale some of the chemicals (I mean, unless you don't want to breathe?)
Everyone's natural skin is beautiful. No two skin tones are exactly the same, despite the fact that makeup companies and tanning salons will try and convince you they are and you need to look that color. Next time, embrace your skin tone. If you're fair, dark, tan, etc. make sure you always always always apply sunscreen and avoid the harmful UV rays. You don't want to deal with the effects of the burn you got at 20 when you're 55 like my Dad.
