Dangers of tanning
Despite warnings from the medical community, many dismiss the dangers of tanning and risk their health and their skin in order to get a tan. Getting a bronzed glow is the ultimate goal for many people out there, especially when the summertime comes around.
It's no secret that excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause skin damage. With each sunburn, the chances of developing skin cancer increases. It is because of this reason that it is important for people to diligently use sunscreen and sunblock in order to protect their skin from UVA and UVB rays. However, many forget to use sun care products while others simply ignore them altogether, falsely believing that they are not susceptible.
The dangers of tanning have made it that much more necessary to push sun care education on the general public. Lying out in the sun for hours on end to get a natural tan can be hazardous to the skin and a person's health if the sunbather has not used sunscreen on their skin prior to tanning. There are those who seek tanning salons as a better alternative for tanning because they think it is a safer option. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Even though tanning beds don't require being out in the actual sun to achieve a tan, tanning beds still emit ultraviolet rays. Tanning beds use UVA rays at higher doses for shorter periods of time-much more frequently than natural sunlight. UVA rays are responsible for causing premature aging on the skin and penetrate deeply into the skin, where the damage occurs.
These two options may seem harmless but the dangers of tanning are very real and shouldn't be overlooked. If you plan on being under the sun for an extended period of time, make sure you wear sunscreen and reapply it every so often. If you plan on being in a tanning bed, wear protective eyewear and tanning lotion to keep your skin hydrated. Unfortunately, indoor tanning lotion doesn't provide any SPF so that means your skin is still at the mercy of the UVA rays. Skipping indoor tanning altogether is the best option of saving your skin but if that is impossible for you, then try to limit the number of times you tan and how long your sessions last.
