With summer coming up, there are many different activities to remain occupied with. One of the most popular, especially among adolescents, is tanning. Although this may seem like an unproblematic way to pass the time, tanning can provoke serious health issues. New tanning products, high UV rays, and bronzed skin may seem appealing; however, the cons outweigh the pros. Health risks caused by tanning can include skin cancer, premature aging, eye damage, etc. These risks pose a concern for all those who enjoy lying in the sun, and can be prevented by using skin protection. However, even though most people are aware of the danger of the sun, a large majority do not have the knowledge of just how damaging it can truly be.
Skin’s exposure to UV rays causes the production of melanin, or pigment, in order to protect skin from damage. This then causes the skin tone to darken, providing a tanned appearance. This being said, any sort of change in skin tone caused by sun exposure is considered skin damage, which can easily escalate into bigger issues. In fact, around 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to radiation from the sun.
The sun, however, isn’t the only issue. A popular way to achieve a deeper skin tone is through the use of tanning beds. These devices can produce UV radiation in amounts 10 to 15 times higher than the sun at its climax intensity. So, the extreme exposure to these ultraviolet rays, even in short time periods, puts the skin at very high risk of severe harm. Statistically, 61 out of 63 women (97%) diagnosed with skin cancer under the age of 30 used tanning beds. This is just one example of how common the dangerous side effects of UV rays can be in deteriorating the health of young people.
Another consequence associated with tanning is eye damage. Cataracts, or the clouding of the natural lenses of the eyes, are a common form of eye complication that can be traced back to sun exposure. Additionally, pterygium is another aftereffect of ultraviolet contact. This condition is the growth of irregular tissue that has the ability to hinder vision. Wearing eye protection when in the sun is a great way to prevent this damage and decrease the risk of eye damage.
Although there are many dangers associated with tanning, there are some positives. Vitamin D production is greatly increased when spending time outdoors. This has the ability to enhance mood and/or provide some temporary relief to skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. For those affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder, otherwise known as seasonal depression, the increased Vitamin D production can treat and improve feelings of depression linked to Vitamin D deficiency.
Even though there are beneficial elements to tanning, it is generally not worth the risk. The health complications associated with solar radiation are abundant and will hopefully become part of the knowledge obtained by the youth. On the whole, using high-quality protection or avoiding extreme sunlight exposure are useful ways to bypass the perils of tanning.
Sources:
https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/tanning/risks-tanning
https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/tanning/
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/
