Tanning Beds: Popular and Dangerous

Tanning beds are a popular way for many busy individuals to obtain a tan when they cannot be outside due to scheduling reasons or if the weather does not allow it. The majority of tanning beds can be found inside a tanning salon or a traditional beauty salon. They use ultraviolet radiation that is known as ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). These rays are also what is found in the sun.

Natural sunbathing is also risky and potentially deadly for many individuals because of the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Since those same rays are found within tanning beds all around the world the question of safety arises. It has been known for a long time that tanning beds are dangerous and that they can increase the risk of an individual developing skin cancer and other additional skin and health problems.

The most widely known problem associated with tanning beds is that of skin cancer. Skin cancer is developed from a prolonged exposure to the ultraviolet rays found in tanning beds. Skin cancer is often curable; however, it must be treated quickly. Skin cancer is deadly and deceiving because many tanners do not display skin cancer symptoms until a few years after they started or even stopped using tanning beds.

The use of tanning beds can also cause the skin to age prematurely. This premature aging causes many tanners who use tanning beds to develop leathery or wrinkled skin years before they should start developing wrinkles.

In addition to the above mentioned skin dangers associated with using tanning beds, it is also possible for a tanner to develop eye problems. The majority of tanning salons require that their clients wear protective eye goggles; however, many salons cannot verify that is occurring once individuals begin tanning.

Some eye goggles leave tan lines that are dreaded by many tanners; therefore, a number of tanners just do not wear them. When in a tanning bed it is better for tanners to keep their eyes closed than having them opened; however, only closing the eyes does not offer full protection from tanning beds. It is possible for the eyes to develop burns or for other vision problems to occur.

Despite knowing all of the potential dangers associated with tanning there are still millions of men and women who continue to use tanning beds. There is really no effective way to safely use a tanning bed, tanners are just encouraged to check their body for noticeable changes and contact their healthcare professional if they have any concerns.