The phrase “all that glitters is not gold” is true in the world of tanning, especially when that gold could actually being referring to that perfectly bronzed body you get from countless hours spent in the sun or in tanning beds. While your skin might look nice on the outside, there are several risks you are facing when tanning, especially if you do not follow the guidelines put forth on the equipment you are using to tan with.
There are two distinct types of UV rays and both of these offer potential risks to your skin. UV-B rays serve to penetrate only the top layers of the skin, typically seen in the form of sunburn on a person’s body. UV-A rays go much deeper into the skin and can potentially lead to skin cancer. Melanoma, which is the worst form of skin cancer, has been tied to extreme sunburns received at a young or early age. If you have children under the age of 18, it is best to keep them away from a tanning salon in order to reduce the increased risk of various types of skin cancers.
In addition to cancer, your body is also at risk to the following:
Premature aging – skin begins to wrinkle prematurely from tanning which causes a loss of elasticity. It may not show up for several to many years after tanning, at which point it is too late to fix.
Increased chance of diseases – UV-B rays can impact the way the body’s immune system functions which leaves the skin’s defense against diseases lowered increasing the chance for sickness and bad health as you get older.
Eye Damage – prolonged exposure to UV rays without proper eyewear can cause permanent damage to your sight. It is important when tanning to always make sure you have eye protection on.
Melanoma has been found to be the second most common type of cancer found in women from 20 to 29 years of age, according to research done by the American Academy of Dermatology. Part of this can be traced to the use of tanning beds and booths at young ages which increases the risk of melanoma occurring.
In the age of bigger portions and instant gratification, tanning salons that offer unlimited monthly tanning plans make it easy to fall into a trap of too much tanning. There is a timeline and schedule one should follow when tanning, even in a controlled environment to make sure that your skin is being treated properly. Unfortunately, too many people today are not following the signs and guidelines that are laid out for them for tanning, leaving them to face serious consequences down the line.
