In the United States, there are two types of skin cancer that are commonly developed among young women between the ages of 25 to 75. The two types are called basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. Both skin cancers can be easily treated and cured if caught early. A recent survey showed that people who regularly use tanning beds are 2.5 times as likely to be diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma or 1.5 times as likely to be diagnosed with basal cell.
There are two types of Ultraviolet rays that can affect the skin. They are called UVA rays and UVB rays. UVB rays are considered the more dangerous of the two, due to the fact that the “burning” of skin is often because of exposure to UVB rays. A limited amount of exposure to UVA rays causes skin to tan, but not burn. Nevertheless, overexposure to UVA rays can result in other long-term skin damage. Tanning beds are made to filter out the more harmful UVB rays, resulting in less burning of the skin. One reason why tanning beds are a safer method of tanning than direct sunbathing is because the sun uses both UVA rays and UVB rays. It does not filter out the harmful UVB rays like the beds do. Instead, tanning beds mostly use UVA rays when used.
Based on this information, tanning beds are safe to use to a certain degree. Frequent usage can result in harmful skin diseases, like basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. Occasional usage still increases the risk of skin cancer; however the chance of getting it is less than if they are used more frequently.
The “SPF” factor in sunscreen lotions and sprays indicates the amount of protection the lotion or spray has against the sun's ultraviolet rays. The higher the number, the more protection it has. The number also tells how much time a user has before his/her skin starts to burn after using it. For example, if a person's skin usually starts to burn after 20 minutes without sunscreen, and starts to burn after 200 minutes with sunscreen, the SPF number would probably be SPF 10.
Tanning beds, sunbathing, sunscreen, and other skin related products are all different choices for people to make. However they choose, they must be smart in deciding how much or how little they apply, otherwise they will suffer drastic consequences that may not be cured or changed. If people decide to use tanning beds, every time they go to the tanning shop they will be risking their lives only to change the way they look on the outside.
