Students need to know the harmful effects of tanning.

Each day some students tan either in a tanning salon or a home tanning bed. These students expose themselves to high ultraviolet rays.

“I try to tan at least four times a week. It helps me with my face, and dark skin looks good with my dark hair,” said Junior Brittanie Clapp.

When tanning as much as some students do, the ultraviolet rays take effect on one's looks.

“Tanning can cause premature aging,” said School Nurse Kathy Weaver.

Tanning can even affect students in the future.

“I don't tan on a regular basis. I only tan to get a base tan for summer, that way I don't get burnt,” said Junior Sarah Adams.

Sunlight is not bad for one's skin. It's only large amounts of sunlight that are bad, which typically comes from a tanning bed.

“We need sunlight to make vitamin D, which we need to maintain our bones and nerve tissue,” said Chemistry Teacher Mr. Strohl. “UV [ultraviolet] light breaks down collagen in the skin causing the skin to age.”

People need vitamins in their skin to keep their body healthy. Tanning beds are five times as strong as the sun's rays. When one tans in a tanning bed, that person's skin is exposed to a large amount of ultraviolet light, which can have a long-term effect on a person.

“UV damages DNA, increasing the risk of skin cancer,” said Strohl.

Students tan because they like the natural glow of their skin. However, this natural glow comes from a cancerous source. Students should tan in a healthy way and only tan for a short amount of time. If a student is going to tan, he should tan in the natural sunlight and shouldn't expose himself to unnecessary ultraviolet light.



“I tan because it makes me feel good,” said Junior Abby Wade.