When I think of skin health, the first thing that comes to mind is
Tanning Beds.
My aunt (let's call her Jane) had skin cancer most likely from tanning bed use four different times. Four. Different. Times!
Why would "Jane" keep tanning? Here are a few ideas I've come up with:
1. Social pressures and vanity can be more valuable to her than the possible health risks.
Here is a picture I saw on a wall of a hair salon/tanning facility this past weekend:
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| Because Life is TOO short to be PALE... |
What an ad huh? Kind of convincing? Make you want to get a tan?
Tanning beds not only can cause skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma) but they can also cause premature skin aging (wrinkles), toughen the texture of skin, and cause cataracts and certain cancers of the eye.
2. She had the "it won't happen to me" attitude.
Well, in the United States alone, there are over 400,000 cases of skin cancer associated with indoor tanning. 400,000! AND JUST ONE indoor tanning session can increase your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 67% and basal cell carcinoma by 29%
Guess what? It can happen to you!
Guess what? It can happen to you!
3. Maybe she thought indoor tanning was a safer alternative to sitting in the sun.... #false
So, I don't know why Jane continued to tan indoors even though she had skin cancer 4 separate times but I do know that she is not alone. It is easy to think of Jane and say "wow, how ridiculous - she obviously needs to quit tanning." BUT how many of you tan indoors? how about regularly?
My hope for this post is to raise a little awareness of the REAL dangers of indoor tanning and possibly create a small decrease in tanning bed users :)
Now that we know some of the statistics and dangers associated with tanning beds - the next post will be concerned with different ways to care for your skin. <3<3<3
- A tan is just your skin's response to the damage and injury of the UV rays.
- Getting a base tan does very little to protect you from future burns.
- Even if you don't burn after a tanning session, damage from the UV rays has been done.
So, I don't know why Jane continued to tan indoors even though she had skin cancer 4 separate times but I do know that she is not alone. It is easy to think of Jane and say "wow, how ridiculous - she obviously needs to quit tanning." BUT how many of you tan indoors? how about regularly?
My hope for this post is to raise a little awareness of the REAL dangers of indoor tanning and possibly create a small decrease in tanning bed users :)
Now that we know some of the statistics and dangers associated with tanning beds - the next post will be concerned with different ways to care for your skin. <3<3<3
References
American Academy of Dermatology. (2016). Indoor tanning. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/media/stats/prevention-and-care
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, August 25). Indoor tanning is not safe. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/indoor_tanning.htm
Molly, I LOVE the layout of your blog! I am a huge user of a tanning bed, guilty, and reading this has shown me some of the bad things that can come from it. I use a tanning bed because of vanity, I think I look better with a base tan. However, I know how detrimental that can be. After getting moles removed this summer, I know I should stop, but a tanning addiction is SO real. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your post. I did not know that tanning beds were so dangerous. I have friends that use tanning beds, now I need to inform them on the risk and damage they are doing to their bodies. I really appreciate this topic because you made me aware and hopefully some others as well. The information you provide was helpful in persuading those who use tanning beds to stop.
ReplyDeleteMolly,
ReplyDeleteI dig your blog layout and your introduction; Jimmy Fallon is the man. I enjoyed reading your blog on tanning. I actually like to tan but do not make it a habit like I use to through out high school and did a few years in college. I currently have a tanning account and hardly go (wasting money). I just like the relaxation of it due to my hectic daily schedule I have each week. I do know the risks and know how bad it is. Thank you for the pictures to give the audience and myself a visual of how bad it can be if not taken seriously.
Molly, awesome post! I love the use of the photos that you have to show the reader rather than just stating facts. I for one have never used a tanning bed or even the sun to tan my skin. I always thought that using something man made to change something on your body would obviously have negative side effects. But I do agree that people are so worried about what they look like that the risks of getting cancer even 4 times is not enough for them to stop. It's crazy what some people will do for beauty.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE to tan.. but after reading this, i'm kind of scared too! I have had to get a mole removed just to be safe so I know I should stop, but it is just so difficult. In high school I had made an awful habit of it, but now not so much. So hopefully I can eventually stop for good.
ReplyDeleteMolly the layout of your blog is really nice and I really enjoyed reading this post. I personally don't know anyone who tans, but so many celebrities tan. I don't like anything about tanning and love the skin I am in. I hope everyone else begins to love their skin since it can be a cause of skin cancer.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very good post! It highlighted the real damages that even just one time in a tanning bed can cause. Personally, I have never used an .indoor tanning bed but I do know many people who have and they also seem to have the "it won't happen to me" mindset. The dangers of tanning need to be better communicated in society
ReplyDeleteI feel the dangers of tanning beds are not shown to the public as well as they should. I know that in my high school we had a discussion in one of my classes about why tanning beds are so dangerous, but other than that I really know nothing about them. I can not believe how many skin cancer cases have come from tanning!!
ReplyDeleteI loved this. I enjoyed how you made a scenario, it was easier to follow and more entertaining! I try to stray away from tanning beds (hence why I'm so white) because I know how bad they are for me! Great job in reminding us why we should stay away from the bad beds. Good job!
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