The urge to look tan year round has grown immensely in the past several years.  Seeing as it is difficult to get a tan while wearing a parka and boots, teenager and young adults have turned to indoor tanning beds.  Although, the perfect bronze that comes from indoor tanning beds is doing more to the tanner’s body than originally perceived.  

“Indoor tanning beds emit a high dose of UVA light.  This UVA light raises a person’s risk for Melanoma,” explains Dr. Laughlin, a dermatologist at the Cox Ferrell-Duncan Clinic. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer.  If it isn’t recognized early, it can cause severe illness and even death. Tanners are 1.5 times more likely to get basal cell carcinoma and 2.5 times more likely to get squamous cell carcinoma.  Physical tolls also come with tanning.  These include wrinkles, blotchiness, sagging, dryness, and leathery skin.

It is assumed by many tanners that the side effects of indoor tanning beds only happen to chronic tanners.  This is false.  After only one time in a tanning bed a person’s chance of getting skin cancer is much greater.  The risk is also greater for people who start young.  “The effects of tanning add up overtime,” Dr. Laughlin explained. 

The knowledge that skin cancer could occur doesn’t affect young adults. “I’ve just accepted the consequences of tanning,” explains Courtney Witt, senior, “I’m just hopeful that I won’t get skin cancer.”  Kelsey Hargis, senior, has no fears about tanning, “My mom has been going for 13 years and she has no problems with her skin.” 

Vanity has a strong pull in a lot of teen’s decision to tan.  “I hate to look pale and pasty,” explains Zach Graham, junior. 

For many teens and young adults, tanning has turned into a need rather than a want.  “Yeah, I know I’m addicted to tanning” explains Ellen Fogle, junior, who has been tanning since age 13.  Hargis and Graham also need tanning, like a kid needs his teddy bear.

So, what should a person do to keep from getting skin cancer?  The most obvious answer would be to never go outside and turn into a recluse that plays World of War Craft all day long.  Although, there are other options besides turning into a Heliophobe. 

Dr. Laughlin suggests spray tans as an alternate measure to indoor tanning beds.  “It is safe for the skin.  All it does is leave a temporary stain on the skin.”  Of course, she also suggests sunscreen.  When looking for a sunscreen, look for bottles that have a high SPF number and avobenzone and oxybenzone in their ingredient list. These two ingredients shield the skin from UVA and UVB rays.  

For more information on sunscreen, visit www.skincancer.org.