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Tanning Bed Safety
The Debate on Tanning Bed Safety
The tanning industry maintains that indoor tanning is a
safe alternative to natural sunlight. In contrast, the
medical community maintains that tanning beds are just
as destructive, if not more so, than getting a natural
tan. With all of the controversy surrounding indoor
tanning, it difficult to know just who to listen to. Is
there a happy medium between tanning bed safety and that
deep golden glow that everyone desires?
Undeniably, there are benefits to exposure to
Ultraviolet light. Sunlight helps the body to metabolize
Vitamin D, which assists in maintaining healthy bones
and teeth, prevents osteoporosis and facilitates
efficient blood clotting. There is some debate regarding
just how much is enough exposure to produce the required
amount of vitamin D. However, researchers generally
agree that 20 minutes is more than adequate exposure to
ultraviolet light to produce the required amount.
A popular claim of the tanning industry is that
regulated indoor tanning can reduce some of the negative
effects of direct exposure. Stringent tanning bed safety
regulations, adjustable lamps (according to skin type)
and trained staff provide for a controlled experience
that cannot be duplicated outdoors. The tanning industry
equates these conditions with safe tanning.
The industry also promotes the idea that developing a
base tan is the body’s natural defense against sun
damage. In other words, a person with a base tan would
be at less risk than for sun damage that someone who had
never tanned indoors. In reality, any change in
pigmentation as a result of exposure to UVA/UVB light is
an indication of skin damage.
While it is true that the body’s production of melanin
(this is what produces that nice golden glow) is a means
of repairing initial sun damage, this mechanism can
backfire over time. If you tan excessively, your skin
can be become permanently thickened and discolored.
So, should you go to a tanning salon or not? It is
probably best to keep your exposure to harmful
ultraviolet light on the conservative side. Keeping this
in mind, if you must go to a tanning salon, don’t do it
more than once or twice a month. Make sure to wear
goggles to protect your eyes and follow recommended
guidelines regarding session length according to your
skin type. Even then, no matter how carefully your
session is regulated, you may be exposing yourself to
serious long-term risk for skin cancer.
Tanning is essentially a cosmetic moderation. It helps
you to look better and to feel better about your
appearance. The actual medical benefits of indoor
tanning are debatable. If you are trying to decide
between the advice of your doctor and the advice of a
tanning salon owner, err on the side of caution. The
salon owner’s goal is get more clients, while your
doctor is interested in what’s best for your health.
Keep this in mind when making your decision about
whether to tan indoors.
Whether or not to visit a tanning salon is a personal
choice. Knowing the risks and understanding tanning bed
safety can help you to make a more informed decision.
About the Author
Andrea Pellettiere has been has been a freelance
writer for a number of years. She is a regular a
contributor to http://tanning-beds-n-tanning-lotions.com.
More Tanning Bed Safety Articles
Are Tanning Beds Worth the Risk?
The Debate on Tanning Bed Safety
Should You Use a Tanning Bed While Pregnant?
Preventing Sun Poisoning From Tanning Beds
Health Risks from Indoor Tanning
Should You Use a Tanning Bed Accelerator Lotion?
Do Tanning Beds Really Cause Cancer?
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