The Hazards of Using a Tanning Bed

Almost every woman in the United States wants to have a beautiful tan for warm weather seasons. There are many different options available when choosing how women want to get their tans. Some women choose to get their tan the old-fashioned way, by just sitting or laying outside in the hot weather with their bikinis. Others, who maybe don’t tan as well while lying outside, take advantage of spray tans, which is where women are sprayed with a lotion color of your choice, available in salons. Some women use self-tanning lotions in the comfort of their own homes. Finally, the most popular choice for women is to use a tanning bed. However, the problem is, many women do not realize all of the dangers that are associated with using a tanning bed.

One of major hazards of tanning beds is that if used over a long period of time, it can cause skin cancer. Some people believe that because you are in a tanning bed indoors that you are safer because you are not being exposed to UV or other harmful sunrays. However, you are still being exposed to UV rays while lying in a tanning bed, which makes them just as dangerous as lying in the sun all day with no sunscreen. In fact, scientists from London recently found that the risk of getting skin cancer increases by seventy-five percent if people use tanning beds before the age of thirty. These same scientists also said they believe that tanning beds are just as lethal as arsenic and mustard gas. Also, it is possible to get eye cancer from using tanning beds, as over exposure to ultraviolet radiation can also get into your eyes from the device.

Another large health concern associated with tanning beds is the amount of germs that can build up if the beds are not cleaned properly.

Thousands of women suffer from ringworm each year that is caused by tanning beds. There have been many reported incidents showing that lice can be spread through the beds.

It is important for women to realize that it can be very dangerous to lie in a tanning bed once a week over the course of their entire life. If you are going to use a one, however, you should be sure to still wear sunscreen. You should also make sure the tanning bed is cleaned to your satisfaction, even if you have to ask to clean it lightly yourself before you get in the bed. If you insist on going to a tanning bed, just be sure to continue to apply a fresh layer of sunscreen, just as you would if you were outside, and check to make sure the bed looks clean. Do not hesitate to ask the employees at the tanning salon to clean the bed again if you are uncomfortable with how the bed looks. It is important to be well-informed on this issue, so women can make the right choice for themselves.