For some, it’s prom season. Others, formal. And for all of us: It’s almost summertime.

And what does that mean?

It’s time to get a tan.

We all love the sun-kissed look. Freckles painted across our nose, skin glowing… It makes everything we wear look better, right?

Well, I guess you could say that. Yet, while this season begins, I’d like to warn you all of something before you go out of your way for that under-the-sun look.

Please, for all of you girls who love a good tan: Continue reading.

I wish I had taken this advice years ago.

Before I begin with my own personal reflection, here are five facts from skincancer.org:

1. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.

2. Over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined.

3. One person dies of melanoma every hour.

4. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15-29 years old.

5. On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns.

Trust me, the terrifying information only continues. But, for you girls especially, I want to take the second to talk you about tanning beds. So many people brush the idea off, saying that tanning beds are fine, right? You use a low level bed, you always use that lotion they give you, and you never tan for more than 10 minutes. What could be the problem?

Well, keep reading.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers estimate that indoor tanning may cause upwards of 400,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year. Secondly, using indoor tanning beds before age 35 can increase your risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 59 percent; the risk increases with each use. Lastly, women younger than 30 are six times more likely to develop melanoma if they tan indoors.

Now ladies, this isn’t to scare y’all.

It’s simply to warn, as well as inform.

So often, we believe we are invincible and immortal… Unable to be touched by earthly dangers. But this is so far from true. Skin cancer is real.

Listen to this story from Elizabeth Newton, who found out she had skin cancer at age 21.

"I used to be a big fan of the tanning bed -- I didn't want to look pale for school functions. I didn't want to look pale in my shorts during the summer. I was a dance major in college, and I didn't want to look pale in my costumes. So, I went to the tanning bed. I used to flippantly say, "I mean, we're all probably going to get skin cancer one day." It makes me sick to my stomach now to think about that foolish, naive girl. We all think we're untouchable. 'That'll never happen to me.' Well, it did happen to me. And it could just as easily happen to others."

Not to be too blunt, but we go to the tanning bed because of our vanity. We don't want to look pale, less attractive, or whatever boost of confidence tanning gives us. Consider this -- what happens to that vanity when you have a scar (or multiple scars) from surgery to cut out the cancer cells? What happens to that vanity if, heaven forbid, it's to the point where chemo and radiation might be necessary? Is it worth that risk?

Now, you might still be thinking, "That won't happen to me." Which is true, maybe it won't, but if you're going to keep using the tanning bed and lying by the pool for hours day after day, please, please find yourself a dermatologist. Go in for annual check-ups. I'd love if it never happened to you. But unfortunately for me, it did. Fortunately, I have now been cancer free for 6 years.

Still not convinced? Well, take a look at this video:

Let me repeat myself one more time: This is not to scare you. But really just a piece of advice to sit back and really think before you lay down and go under that blue light. I know it seems fine, and I know the after-glow is fantastic. But, trust me, it isn’t worth it.

A momentary glow isn’t worth the lifelong risk.

Please, take this advice. Cancel your membership, or better yet, help your friend cancel her membership.

Who knows? You may end up saving her life, and your own.

For more information, what to look for in dangerous moles, and various facts, check out this site: http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/...