The Dangers of Tanning

The Dangers of tanning

Around April when spring is just about rolling in and it starts to get a little warmer out, a lot of people go through something called “tanning bed fever”. Meaning, it’s a time where everyone thinks to themselves that summer is on its way and they need to prepare for it and look good. But what they don’t realize is the effects and causes that come from tanning. It can lead to many serious factors when you least expect it and may not be worth the idea of looking good now and suffering later.

There are two main types of ultraviolet rays that come from the sun, ultraviolet B and ultraviolet A. Ultraviolet B was the first ray that was discovered. It is the shortwave ray that is found in most tanning beds. People say that it actually burns the skin instead of giving it any type of color. UVA was said to be the replacement for UVB because it was too strong. But they sooner found out that UVA’s rays were so strong that they can weaken the skins inner tissue. Even though tanning salons promote these rays as being safer in the beds but the truth is that they emit two to three times as much strength as they do outdoors.

Both indoor n outdoor rays contain both UVA and UVB. Indoor is just harder to control and harder to tell because its effects aren’t as immediate. For example, if someone is lying out in the sun during the day they can feel how strong the heat is and get the protection they need. But if someone is indoor tanning in a tanning bed the rays are too overwhelming and they can’t tell as easily. They are mostly there just for the reason to get a tan and believe the longer u stay in the better your tan is, but it has been concluded that an average of 15-30 minutes in a tanning bed is just as equivalent to one entire day at the beach, but so much worse for your skin in the long run.

There are 6 different divisions of skin type that exist

I. Pale white skin Always burns; never tans

II. White Burns easily; tans minimally

III. White (Average) Burns moderately; tans gradually to light brown

IV. Beige or lightly tanned Burns minimally; always tans well to moderately brown

V. Moderate brown or tanned Rarely burns; tans profusely to dark

VI. Dark brown or black Never burns; deeply pigmented

Type 1 and 2 are affected more too long n short term affect.

Short term results to tanning are more skin deep but if not treated can lead to serious damage. Red, itchy, dry skin is one of the largest short term affects. If it occurs the person tanning should take a brake from it and treat it because if they continue it will only irritate it and make it take longer to heal. Another short term result is when UV rays mix with medications, cosmetics, or soaps, because it irritates the skin and can also make the medications not as affective. People also say that one shouldn’t be fooled if their skin doesn’t react right way to such changes. Many times, there is a delayed effect and damage might not show for years. That’s okay for the time being but the older one gets, the older one will look.

Long term results from tanning beds are much more serious and complicated. The biggest effect would have to be the aging process.

a. a. in the late 20’s, the face starts to show fine lines around the eyes, mouth, and forehead.

b. b. In the late to mid 30’s, the smile and frown lines deepen and brown spots accompanied by freckles appear more prominent. This is clear evidence of sun damage.

c. c. During the 40’s, the victim’s skin begins to say and look unfresh. There is aggressive worsening of wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. This is the point that skin cancers would begin to produce.

d. d. During the 50’s and beyond, the wrinkles become deep grooves or folds. The brown spot worsens on