Know The Tanning Bed Dangers

Summer disappears bringing the cool fall weather and then the chilling sub zero winter temperatures. As fewer people travel to sunny tropical destinations more and more are turning to tanning salons to get that beautiful sexy tan. Before you head to the salon it’s important you know the tanning bed dangers.

Some of the packages that salons offer are really tough to resist. Packages that include unlimited tanning for an affordable monthly fee, or low rates on high tech top of the line bed that provide the ultimate tan in less than 15 minutes. Some promote the benefits of vitamin D and the aid in preventing osteoporosis.

There may be some benefits to using a tanning bed but you need to know the real dangers. In fact the risk of melanoma is real and on the rise. In fact recent studies have shown that the more powerful the lamps in the tanning bed, the higher the risk of developing melanoma.

The biggest risk for melanoma is continuous exposure to UV rays through tanning in the sun or in a tanning bed. It was once believed that UVB rays where the only ones that caused skin cancer and thus tanning beds were safe because they did not provide UVB rays. But more recent studies have shown that UVA rays are just as deadly as UVB rays.

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. The reason it is so deadly is that is spreads rapidly and easily to organs and bones through the lymph system or blood. And it is growing at alarming rates. In fact it is projected it will be the most common cancer by 2020.

In the United State each day more than one million people head off to the tanning salon. That’s a lot of people! A recent study shows that more than a third of all teen girls have used at tanning bed at least once, and more than 30% have used tanning beds more than three times.

The danger of sun beds is so well documented in studies that many states have no passed legislation that bans anyone under the age of 18 from using tanning beds.

Tanning has also been associated with other forms of skin cancer. Those that use tanning beds are more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Although not as serious tanning has other concerns that need to be addressed. It also causes premature aging of the skin, wrinkles, age spots, and leathery skin. Retina damage can occur if eyes are not properly protected.

As always prevention is the best medicine. Avoid exposure to the sun from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. Use an SPF 30 sunscreen, wear a hat, and wear light weight clothing that will block UV rays. And of course don’t tan indoors.

You should examine your skin at least once a month watching for moles or lesions that are growing or changing. Watch for moles that are different on each half, have a jagged irregular edge, are made up of a variety of colors, and continue to grow.

It’s unlikely that sun worshippers will be convinced to stay away from the salons but once you know tanning bed dangers you can learn to tan more safely.