Best Syndication News

If you are in the market to add a little color to your skin this season, tanning beds are NOT what the doctor ordered. Tanning beds have become a popular way for many busy individuals to obtain an even and all over tan without having to spend their days basking in the sun. However, what these individuals likely are not aware of is that they are in fact tanning their skin’s health away. Most tanning beds release very high and dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation. Indoor tanning booths and beds commonly use ultraviolet bulbs that emit predominantly UV-A rays.

Unfortunately, UV-A rays penetrate deeply into the skin and can negatively affect the cells involved in the body’s immune system. The bottom line is that each and every individual interested in developing a tan via indoor tanning beds needs to have a full understanding of the known dangers and numerous risks associated with this practice so that they can make an informed and educated decision.

Countless research studies have shown that exposure to tanning beds can cause premature aging of one’s skin by way of causing premature wrinkles, brown spots (also known as age spots), and uneven pigmentation. Even the use of tanning beds on a short term basis has been shown to cause itchy and dry skin. The most widely known and publicized consequence associated with tanning beds is that of skin cancer. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently announced that they have moved UV tanning beds to their highest cancer risk category, designating them as “carcinogenic to humans.” UV tanning bed use is not included with a list of other activities and/or exposures known to cause cancer. The list includes asbestos and benzene.

Despite all of the research, skin cancer is often times overlooked, as it can be a deceptive consequence of tanning beds due to the reality that many individuals do not outwardly display skin cancer symptoms until a few years after they have started or even stopped using tanning beds. Many individuals are under the mistaken impression that there is a certain amount of tanning bed exposure that is safe.

In figuring out what that “safe amount” of exposure to tanning beds actually equates to, these individuals needs to ask themselves, “What level of asbestos am I willing to take on before I am worried about lung cancer?” The correct answer is zero. In light of these facts, when weighing the pros and cons regarding tanning beds, just remember that you may be paying a much higher price than you think for your “sun kissed glow.”

A much safer alternative would be to consider one of the top self tanners or sunless tanning products to get that sought after bronze glow. A good self tanner can not only leave you with a great tan but can also be a life saver when compared to the risks of a traditional tanning bed. Do yourself a favor and opt for a sunless self tanner so you can keep that perfect color and maintain healthy and youthful skin at the same time.