Indoor /Outdoor Tanning vs. Cancer Risk

Introduction

Inside and outside, there is no way to tan safely. The beds and tanning lamps emit Ultraviolet (UV) that trigger the process of skin tanning - just as the sun. Tanned skin is a damaged skin. Once the sun disappeared, the damage remains on the skin. For decades, tanning has been a popular process with both men and women, but women more so. Tanning is darkening of the skin followed by exposure to the sun. Ultraviolet rays cause the skin to produce melanin (brown pigment which darkens the cells of the epidermis). Even though exposure to the sun is a good thing, too much of it can harm the skin. Alternatives for tanning are also as potentially harmful as outdoor tanning. There are a number of negative effects of tanning like sunburn, skin discoloration, aging, damage to the skin's DNA leading to skin cancer and damage to the immune system.

Artificial tanning causes cancer

When a person expose his/her skin to UV radiation (whether from the sun, tanning beds or tanning lamps), they increase the risk of skin cancer. The skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. However, it is also one of the most preventable one. To reduce the risk of skin cancer, people should avoid using the beds or tanning lamps.

Sunburn, whether caused by sunlight or the light of beds or tanning lamps, is related to the risk of skin cancer other than melanoma and malignant melanoma. Artificial tanning is never safe. These myths can cause a great harm to the skin (Neighmond, 2010)

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False beliefs about tanning

"A tan is a sign of health”

When the skin changes color, it is that the person has suffered damage that can cause premature aging and even skin cancer. If people insist on having a dark complexion, they should try a sunless tanning cream. But when a person uses such a product, they must still apply a sunscreen before going outside in the sun.

"My tan protects me from the sun”

Error! A tan protects virtually no direct sunlight or burns. Some tanning beds can expose to an amount of radiation up to five times greater than that of the sun. Artificial tanning does not protect from the sun, it is actually more dangerous than the sun itself. To shelter, nothing beats a sunscreen (Peeples, 2010).

"I increased my intake of vitamin D by going to the tanning salon”

Tanning beds are not a safe way to get vitamin D. It is best to get it in the sun, supplements or food. In autumn and winter, a supplement is a much safer and cheaper to ensure the intake of vitamin D.

The desire to tan because it is fashionable or for cosmetic purposes has led to a significant increase in the use of artificial tanning beds, especially in developed countries. The popularity of these tanning beds continues to grow, especially among young women. The use of indoor tanning involves some risks. Remember that natural ultraviolet added to artificial UV radiation favor ...