Cancer Beds ?

March 1, 2010 • written by Tatiana Cerreta

With the upcoming prom season, many female students around Brashier have started to make the personal decision to do some “enhancing” to their skin and start going to tanning beds to get a glow before the big dance. However, research is beginning to show frequent visits to the tanning bed and the amount of UVA and UVB  concentrated directly to the skin could cause skin cancer .

There is an average of 68,720 new cases of melanoma (skin cancer) a year, and it kills an average of 8,650 Americans each year. Scientists are concerned that this little beauty secret, tanning, that has been around for decades may be causing cancerous growths on skin and maybe even more dangerous than the direct sun.  According to the American Cancer Society website, “Too much exposure to UV radiation is thought to be the biggest risk factor for most melanomas. The main source of UV is sunlight. Tanning lamps and booths are also sources of UV light. The amount of UV exposure depends on the strength of the radiation, how long the skin was exposed, and whether the skin was covered with clothing and sunscreen.” Usually with tanning, unknowing customers use tanning oils or lotions, not sunscreen, and rarely cover a lot of skin.

“I was fourteen when I started tanning, I do it more for self satisfaction then anything else,” says Junior Taylor Poston. ” There is a plus side and a negative side. The only negative is that I could get skin cancer, but there are so many more pluses than that one negative.” It is not a fact that you will get skin caner from tanning beds, and many tanning companies say that if used in moderation and responsibly, tanning is a safe thing, much safer than the sun.” Indoor tanning provides a controlled environment that is not affected by weather, temperature, time of year, location and other atmospheric conditions or factors that are governed by nature. A carefully researched blend of UVA and UVB light was developed to provide the best conditions for the skin to tan with minimum risks,” states the popular tanning facility Ultra Tan on their website.

Amber Jennings is tanning for prom season

Senior Amber Jennings says, “I enjoy tanning, it’s relaxing. I also wanted to get ready for spring break and prom.” She adds that using tanning beds is a risk but, “So is the sun; it does the same thing so why not?” Most students say that prom is one of the main reason for hitting the tanning beds. “I have been tanning for three days,” says Junior Brooke Ingram, “I’m tanning for prom, I don’t want to look like a white ghost!  [Tanning] is dangerous, but I’m only tanning for two months. You just have to be responsible and you can’t over do it.”

 To get a summer glow, some students have taken a different approach to tanning by choosing spray tans instead. Many spray tans in cans are available at drug stores and some tanning bed salons offer them as well. “Yes I’m going to get a spray tan,” says Junior Betsy Treadaway, “regular tanning causes skin cancer, wrinkles, and fine lines.”  Nubia Adams is an African American and sees no need for tanning and says of tanning, “Your skin will fall off and turn to leather.” The third alternative and least expensive? Choosing to go to prom without a tan in your very own skin tone, a pigment no one else is sure to have. “I’m not going to a tanning bed, I’m going natural,” says Senior Jessica Forbes.

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