Tanning Salons

The dangers of tanning salons.

Many advocates of tanning salons claim that tanning beds are safer than direct and prolonged exposure to the sun. This claim is untrue. Damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by tanning beds are three times stronger than the rays emitted by the sun when they hit your skin. This causes multiple health problems and permanent damage to your skin.

melanoma: skin cancer from tanning beds pictures

Some Dangers Can Happen:

Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer Statistics ?

1. Melanoma

Skin cancer is a serious and deadly problem, exacerbated by the use of tanning salons. Melanoma risk is increased by 300 percent for those using tanning beds occasionally and by 800 percent for those using tanning beds more than 10 times a year.

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2. Eye Damage

UV radiation emitted by tanning beds cause both short-term and long-term eye problems, such as susceptibility to cataracts and retinal damage.

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3. Premature Skin Aging

Exposing your skin to the type of intense UV rays that are used in tanning beds means that healthy skin cells will begin to break down early. Collagen fibers will be irreversibly destroyed, resulting in wrinkles, sun spots, and dryness. 

4. Damage to Your Immune System

Though it may seem that your immune system isn't susceptible to the effects of tanning salons, "overexposure to UV radiation may suppress proper functioning of the body's immune system and the skin's natural defenses."

Damage Control

Unfortunately, there is no turning back the clock on tanning bed damage, so the best thing you can do for your skin is quit your trips to the tanning salon. Go cold turkey. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist to check for any signs of melanoma, and if your skin has started to show the signs of aging, there are great beauty products out there to help with fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, and skin spots that accompany tanning bed usage.

Options

If you absolutely must be bronzed, these are a few options available to you that won't damage your skin or destroy your health.

1. Spray Tans

Thankfully, the tanning industry now offers not only sunless spray tanning, butorganic spray tanning as well. If you're searching for the perfect, sun-kissed glow, try having a professional spray one on you with organic flower and plant extracts.

👉 Read related topic: How to wash off spray tan

2. Sunless Tanning Lotions & Sprays

Using a sunless tanning lotion allows you to control the shade of your tan while keeping the health of your skin intact. Try Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel, $33, at Sephora, for a streak-free, natural-looking tan.

👌 Read more: Sunless tanning

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