Everyone has their own hobbies, but some are more unhealthy than others. Tanning beds have become very popular lately, with their main audience being teenage girls due to the results of beautiful sun-kissed color. The beds are recommended for those 18 and older; however, with a parent’s signature, those who are interested can tan at any age. Although they have become a trend amongst teens, they have their disadvantages.
Tanning beds are not safer than the sun and can deliver 10-15 times more UV rays than natural sunlight. A 20-minute session in one of these beds can equal four hours in the sun. Just one session increases the risk of melanoma by 20 percent. According to
Mayo Clinic, this is a type of cancer that develops when the pigment-producing cells mutate and grow uncontrollably.
Kendyl Aarhus, sophomore, goes to Sun Tan City regularly to receive a bronzed appearance. “It looks good and makes me feel more confident,” she said. She tends to use the beds more in the colder seasons because it is relaxing to be able to lie in a warm bed while receiving a tan. “When it was freezing outside, I would look forward to tanning because it would help me relax, and I would dread getting out,” Aarhus said. This tends to be the leading cause of teens getting addicted, as it helps them relax and gives them 15-20 minutes a day to themselves.
Another reason teens get into it in the first place is that Sun Tan City has promotions that save hundreds of dollars. Usually, these promos take place around October and November because of Homecoming; other promos take place around April and May during Prom season.
Kristin Duning, a science teacher at the high school, used to tan when she was a student, but is now against it. “I tanned in high school, but now I don’t typically get a lot of sun, and if I do, I wear a lot of sunscreen.” She believes that most teens are not aware of the consequences it may lead to in the future. “I think there are plenty of alternatives, such as self-tanners, spray tans, etc. How they look may vary, but it damages your skin so much less,” said Duning. She believes that the outcome of the look is not worth the amount of damage it could possibly cause. “Tanning before a dance or an event is okay, but tanning every day is not worth it,” Duning said. She also believes that awareness of the dangers of tanning is becoming more widespread, and more people are starting to research the effectiveness of the beds and how harmful they really are.
Tanning beds are not a joke. It may seem like it is not a big deal or that it is not worth investigating, but it is something to be aware of before getting into it. Most people don’t understand the dangers, or they don’t care until they’re about 40 or 50 years old, because that’s when it tends to show signs of skin damage. Teens around the world are still uneducated about the risks of this unhealthy hobby and should take their research and health seriously.
