The Dangers of Indoor Tanning
Anna Zak
Issue date: 2/2/10 Section: Scene
Every hour, one person dies. This is a startling statistic that US News uncovered on the death rate related to Melanoma, a lethal form of skin cancer. How do people put themselves at the most dangerous risk for developing Melanoma? Two words - indoor tanning.
Not only does indoor tanning put people at risk for developing skin cancer, but it offers many other serious effects that people may be unaware of including skin burns, premature aging, wrinkles, damaged skin cells, early age spots, color irregularities, rough and dry skin, actinic keratoses, cataracts and a weakened immune system, according to Science Daily.
According to Science Daily, people who used tanning beds have an increased risk of developing melanoma by 55 percent. In a given year alone, the Centers for Disease Control stated that there were 700 emergency room visits due to injuries such as sunburns, infections and eye damage from tanning bed use.
Even if people tan with precautions, recent studies have shown that indoor tanning has become as addictive as drugs or alcohol. Tanning addiction is more commonly referred to as Tanorexia and is not something that should be taken lightly.
In 2006, Wake Forest University conducted a study on addiction and found that frequent tanners experienced withdrawal symptoms when trying to reduce their indoor tanning activity.
The ultraviolet light rays that are emitted through the lamps trigger the release of endorphins causing people to have a "feel good" attitude. After a while, a person becomes dependent on these endorphin surges making it difficult to stop. Just like with cigarettes, drugs or alcohol - the longer you use, the harder it will be to stop.
In recent years, lotions and creams have become popular and are a lot more affordable than the money spent in tanning salons. Certain products, such as those by Jergens and Aveeno are both under $15 and help achieve a glowing tan gradually. Other products may be on a higher price end such as those by Lancôme, however, the tanning time decreases.
Not only does indoor tanning put people at risk for developing skin cancer, but it offers many other serious effects that people may be unaware of including skin burns, premature aging, wrinkles, damaged skin cells, early age spots, color irregularities, rough and dry skin, actinic keratoses, cataracts and a weakened immune system, according to Science Daily.
According to Science Daily, people who used tanning beds have an increased risk of developing melanoma by 55 percent. In a given year alone, the Centers for Disease Control stated that there were 700 emergency room visits due to injuries such as sunburns, infections and eye damage from tanning bed use.
Even if people tan with precautions, recent studies have shown that indoor tanning has become as addictive as drugs or alcohol. Tanning addiction is more commonly referred to as Tanorexia and is not something that should be taken lightly.
In 2006, Wake Forest University conducted a study on addiction and found that frequent tanners experienced withdrawal symptoms when trying to reduce their indoor tanning activity.
The ultraviolet light rays that are emitted through the lamps trigger the release of endorphins causing people to have a "feel good" attitude. After a while, a person becomes dependent on these endorphin surges making it difficult to stop. Just like with cigarettes, drugs or alcohol - the longer you use, the harder it will be to stop.
In recent years, lotions and creams have become popular and are a lot more affordable than the money spent in tanning salons. Certain products, such as those by Jergens and Aveeno are both under $15 and help achieve a glowing tan gradually. Other products may be on a higher price end such as those by Lancôme, however, the tanning time decreases.
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