by Dana Michalski

Created on: April 25, 2008   Last Updated: July 28, 2011

It seems that everyone has a different excuse for tanning indoors. "I'm addicted." "I look so much healthier with a tan." "It's relaxing." "I don't have the time to lie out in the sun." Everyone has their own reasons for wanting that bronze glow. Is it a good choice to use tanning beds? The cons definitely outweigh the pros in this case.

We all seem to know the different dangers of tanning beds, yet the majority of us ignore these risks for the quest of that sun glistened look. Many years ago, I worked in a tanning salon. There was a sign hanging on the back of the desk that I will never forget. It read "20 minutes in bed = 4 hours in sun." Wow. That's a reality check for anyone. Still, people kept coming, kept burning, ignoring the obvious dangers of tanning. Ninety percent of the clientele were women. Over half of these women had what I call the tanning overkill syndrome. You know the ones, the leathery sagging skin ladies that in January always had that Mexican beach tan that was so dark you couldn't tell where their brown shirts had started or stopped. It was part of my job to inform the customers of the risks associated with tanning. Most didn't want to hear it. Some had a few questions. Nevertheless, I present the information; you do with it what you will.

One of the top concerns of tanning booths is it may cause skin cancer. There are two types of Ultraviolet rays. The sun sends off UVB (shortwave) rays. The shortwave UVB light affects the upper or outer layers of your skin and causes your skin to burn. Newer tanning beds emit UVA (long wave) rays. The long wave UVB light can actually penetrate to your lower layers of skin or your inner tissue. This is where you have nerves and blood vessels. Because UVA rays get to this inner skin, long term exposure may cause immune dangers.

Tanning booths are required to provide you with protective eye wear. We've all seen those funky looking goggles placed neatly on the bedside table. Does everyone wear them? No, probably not. The intensity from the tanning bed lights can damage the retina and can eventually cause cataracts to form. Be smart, wear the funky goggles. Also, be sure the goggles fit snugly against your skin.

How many of us tan in just our birthday suit? Here's another danger. Think about this. When we venture out for a day in the natural sunshine, we are usually (I hope) dressed with some clothing over our bodies. In a tanning bed, a majority of people tan nude. This exposes much more of your skin to

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>