Having a dark tan, whether real or fake, has gotten increasingly popular each year. More people are going to the tanning salons regularly and even buying them for their homes. How safe are these tanning beds?
The sun provides UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. Tanning is the skin's reaction to these ultraviolet rays. As the rays hit the skin, it darkens the skin's epidurmis (top layer). The UVA and UVB rays are both harmful to the skin. UVC rays are not very harmful to the skin because they are absorbed by the ozone layer. Tanning beds are said to be less harmful than tanning from the sun because tanning beds provide mainly UVA rays. The UVA rays are said to be less harmful, but actually they penetrate deeper than UVB rays. Tanning booths do not cause as much burning than the sun. It is also easier to control the amount of exposure from tanning booths as compared to sunlight.
Both tanning salons and the sunlight will cause the skin to age, become wrinkled, sag, and can cause dark spots on the skin. Both types of tanning can lead to skin cancer. They can both cause damage to the retina and cornea of the eyes, and cause cataracts to form. It is a myth that having a base coat will protect you at the beach. You may not burn as badly with a tan, but think of the damage that you have done to your body by getting that base tan. It is also a myth that tanning will dry up acne or help scars to heal and fade. Pay attention to your skin type. Those with very pale skin, or those who burn easily should avoid the sun and tanning beds as much as possible as they are more susceptible to skin cancer. Even if you are dark complected and do not burn easily, you are not immune to damage to the skin. Anyone can have harm to their body from sunlight or tanning booths.
So is there a way to get a safe tan? You can go to many tanning salons and get air brushed spray-on tans. You could also go to most grocery or department stores for sunless tanning lotions or sprays. These make you appear tanned and bronzed but without being harmful for your health. These fake tans will not make you age prematurely either. Actually, most of these lotions contain moisturizers, which helps the skin. You can buy foundation, powders, or bronzers that make your face look darker.
Even though tanning salons are growing more and more popular, that does not make them any less harmful. If you are going to be out in the sun, wear sunscreen, wear a hat, wear sunglasses, or carry an umbrella. Leave the baby oil at home. Tanning may make you look more attractive now, but think of how ugly it will make you in the long run with wrinkles and age spots, or worse: cancer
