Pace Paw Print

With the warm weather approaching, it appears that more people will be flooding the tanning salons and beaches will be packed as individuals try to obtain that golden color that most hope to get.

In order to get tanned, ultraviolet rays, either from the sun or a lamp (which is used in tanning salons), permits two types of radiation: UVA and UVB. UVB rays affect the upper layer (epidermis) of the skin. This usually results in sunburn.

UVA rays, on the other hand, penetrate deep into the epidermis, causing the cells to produce melanin, a brown pigment that creates the tanning effect. Kidshealth.org states that melanin helps protect the skin from burning. However, it does not help protect against skin cancer even if burning is not seen.

Because UVA penetrates through many layers of the epidermis, it can potentially reach the blood vessels and nerves. This helps contribute to a weakened immune system and much more.

So while the skin may appear beautiful after lying around under an ultraviolet light for a few minutes every week, no tan-indoors or outdoors-provides a safe tan. When the skin becomes tanned, it has literally hurt the skin cells and puts individuals at an increased risk for developing skin cancer.

Meanwhile, approximately 2.3 million teenagers and young adults swamp tanning salons every year, says skincancer.org. Unfortunately, nineteen international studies were conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and found that there is a high correlation between tanning bed use and melanoma skin cancer, the deadliest form of the cancer.

The chance of acquiring this form of cancer is increased by fifteen percent just because tanning beds are used. Another study, conducted in seven countries, shows that those who began tanning before the age of 35 have a 75 percent increase of developing melanoma skin cancer.

The risk for squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common skin cancer, increases as well.

According to skincancer.org, some tanning salons make false claims. Some of these include that lying under the ultraviolet light in the tanning booth help prevent sunburn in the future.

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However, there is no evidence that tanning beds provided a "protective" component to future sunburn. The coordinator of the IARC Working Group, Dr. Beatrice Secretan, simply states that "there is no such thing as a safe tan."

So what are the benefits of tanning?

Obtaining that golden brown skin that you were hoping for? Or possibly the short duration it takes to get that color? Maybe the fact that now buying tanning spray isn't necessary when you go tanning.

Whatever the simple reason, one thing is certain: tanning causes wrinkles, blotching of the skin, brown age spots, and a general old looking appearance, plus more.

Yet, some individuals think that the small benefits are better than the life-threatening risks. The truth is though, that tanning is not safe and if possible, should be avoided.

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