What is UV radiation?
Sunlight contains two types of ultraviolet (UV) light: UVA and UVB. UVA rays consist of longer wavelengths that penetrate deep into the dermal layer of skin. Limited exposure to UVA rays causes skin to tan; however, most experts agree that overexposure to UVA can lead to other long-term skin damage. UVB rays wavelengths are much shorter, affecting the outermost layers of skin. UVB rays are known as the "burning rays" and are considered more dangerous. Tanning beds and sun lamps generally emit 93% to 99% UVA radiation increasing the benefits of a tan This is three times the UVA radiation given off by the sun
What is the difference between a tan and sunburn?
It is also important to know what happens to the skin as it is tanned or
burned and what the long-term, harmful effects may be. UVB rays are most
responsible for a skin's burning. The rays actually pop the capillaries just
beneath the surface of the skin .Long-wavelength; UVA rays have totally
different results on the skin. As UVA rays penetrate into the skin, melanin
granules are oxidized and tan, or, turn golden brown. However, UVB rays are
required to stimulate these melanin granules to rise to the skin's surface,
especially in skin that possesses small amounts of the pigment, melanin.
What makes tanning beds safer? 
Most tanning bed industries agree that indoor tanning is much safer than
receiving outdoor exposure to the sun. Light emitted from tanning equipment
contains approximately 40% less UVB rays, the most harmful type of radiation,
than does light from the sun. Tanning beds, therefore, have the power to
control exposure time and the ratio of UVA to UVB rays for a "perfect
balance" .Since tanning beds filter out most of the burning UVB rays,
chances of getting burned decrease dramatically. Therefore, the companies can
claim that the tanning beds cannot be any more harmful than the sun.
Tanning salons also state that some UV radiation is needed for the
manufacturing of vitamin D. Vitamin D certifies that a constant level of
calcium remains in the blood and controls its absorption. In an advertisement
for tanning equipment, one tanning bed company, The Beach House Tanning, claims
that the sun is the only source of Vitamin D. However, vitamin D is also found
in foods such as dairy products, cereal
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In fact, The Beach House Tanning states that it isn't safe not to tan. They report that avoiding the sun
highly increases the risks for many cancers including skin cancer and that most
studies prove that people who are not exposed to the sun on a regular basis
have a greater chance of acquiring some forms of cancer. One study that was
conducted showed that malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is
actually more common in people who do not receive regular sun exposure and
develops on areas that are not usually exposed to the sun.
Also, some sun
exposure abates or retards the development of breast, colon, prostate, and
ovarian cancers. Actually, many studies have shown that heredity and repeated
sunburn, which are not caused by tanning beds, are the most prominent factors
for skin cancer. Since tanning is, "your body's natural defense against
sunburn," as stated by Beach House, and since, "tanning beds are a
responsible way to get a base tan," as claimed by them, then it is safe to say that tanning beds
are a reliable source of UV exposure.
Researchers say that because UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, they destroy skin fibers and damage elasticity. Long-term effects of UVA rays include premature aging and wrinkles. Scientists agree that UVA rays are less likely to cause burns, but that they are still linked to malignant melanoma, damage to the immune system, weakening of the skin's inner tissue, and other types of skin cancers. In fact, studies show that large doses of UVA lead to an increased risk of developing skin cancer.
From his research, Dr. David Sidransky concluded that UVA radiation causes the same damage as UVB radiation to skin cells which leading to cancer. In cases where exposure to light was increased, it was more likely that the damage would exceed the constructive, cellular-repair mechanisms, and a tumor would be more likely to develop.
A study conducted in Sweden
Dr. Douglas Reintgen believed that as long as tanning devices were not
used in excess and the customer avoided burns, then the equipment could be
considered safe.
However, it has
been proven that tanning beds do cause sunburns, and are, therefore, dangerous. Actually,one sunburn doubles the
risk of developing skin cancer.
Tanning is also skin damage. Although skin cancer has been associated
with UVB radiation and sunburns, scientists say that even tanning in moderation
produces the same harmful effects, as would a burn. Tanning causes premature
aging, causing the skin to appear leathery and wrinkled, and also damages the
immune system. Other sources reveal that tanning always damages the skin.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Dean Johnson who treats skin cancer patients in 25% of his
surgeries, declares, "There is no safe tan"
A number of various authorities warn the public of the dangers of tanning
devices:
Dermatologists believe that tanning beds are a leading factor in skin
cancer cases. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists tanning beds as
possible health hazards and the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
encourage people to avoid using tanning and sun lamps Even the American Medical
Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) are fighting to
ban the use of tanning equipment for non-medical purposes.
Both types of UV radiation can cause damage to blood vessels,
photosensitivity (allergic) reactions, or even eye damage). According to the
CDC, tanning beds create problems in the eyes such as conjunctivitis and
corneal infections. Ultraviolet rays can cause serious damage to the cornea and
retina.
What are people's motives for tanning?
Why do people desire a tan? In general, most people are concerned about
their appearance. It can be assumed that people desire to be considered
beautiful by others and to have more pleasant features. The stereotypical
good-looking person is usually a thin female or muscularly built male with
nice, clean hair and bronze or tan skin.
In recent years there has been a
tremendous amount of pressure placed upon females, especially teenagers, to
become what the media considers to be a beautiful person. All this explains why
more white female teens are using tanning equipment with disregard to medical
warnings.
Why won't people listen?
Perhaps the public is not fully aware of the harmful effects of UV radiation. Most of skin cancer patients are over 50, but lately more teenagers have become victims, and this was probably due to the fact that now more than 2.5 million people are using tanning bed equipment daily (mostly teens).
Which group is right?
Although benefits do exist from choosing to use tanning beds over bathing
outdoors in the sun, tanning bed industries have failed to mention many
important and harmful risk factors of tanning equipment. The long-term effects
of UVA radiation far exceed the short-term, ephemeral benefits, and trust
should be placed into the hands of scientists, researchers, and doctors.
Have a beautiful Friday! ^_^
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