Bad Side Effects of Tanning Beds
- Tanning beds emit harmful UV rays.sexy tanning image by Alfonso d"Agostino from Fotolia.com
A tan is the skin's reaction to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or from a tanning bed. Skin cells produce a brown pigment called melanin to protect themselves against additional radiation. This darkening of the skin is what is called a tan. Skin cells can repair themselves against this kind of skin damage, though repeated tanning renders skin unable to repair itself and can result in skin cancer such as melanoma. Tanning beds were originally considered safer than the sun, as ultraviolet radiation is controlled in tanning beds; however, this has since been disproved. Most tanning salons exceed the UV limits in their beds and use UVA rays, the type of ray that causes skin cancer and other health issues. - Wear sunglasses to protect yourself against cataracts.sunglasses image by Bosko Martinovic from Fotolia.com
Cataracts can occur when the eyes are repeatedly overexposed to the ultraviolet rays of tanning beds. Cataracts cause the natural clarity of eye lenses to cloud, impairing vision. While the development of cataracts is usually a very gradual process that can occur as the body ages, tanning beds or overexposure to the sun can speed up this process. Symptoms of cataracts include blurred vision, difficulty with glare such as from the sun or bright car headlights, dulled color vision and increased nearsightedness. While a change in glasses or contacts prescription may help when cataracts are first forming, these aids will be of little use as vision becomes cloudier. Cataracts are usually not painful. Prevent cataracts by limiting sun exposure and visits to tanning salons, and always wear sunglasses when outside. Some sunglasses brands offer UV filters for extra protection. - That sun-kissed look from the sun or tanning bed is actually skin damage.summer sun image by Gerald Bernard from Fotolia.com
Photoaging is the premature aging of the skin due to overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds or the sun. Skin takes on a leathery texture with wrinkles, skin folds, sagging skin, freckling and warty growths called keratoses. Yellow discoloration of the skin from abnormal elastic tissue is also possible. Those with fair skin, hair and eyes are at greatest risk of photoaging as they have less melanin in their skin. - Check all moles and freckles frequently for signs of change.lingerie 13 image by Nathalie P from Fotolia.com
Tanning beds were first considered a safe alternative to sun exposure due to their use of controlled UVA radiation as opposed to UVB rays which cause sunburn. UVA rays may not cause sunburn, but recent evidence suggests that UVA rays are much more carcinogenic than UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate the skin much more deeply and affect skin cells, potentially causing cancer. Tanning salons often exceed the UVA ray limit in tanning beds as well. Skin cancer occurs when abnormal skin cells grow or spread at an uncontrolled rate through the body. The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. While the first two types can take months if not years to grow and usually do not spread, malignant melanoma is quite deadly. Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body, not just areas exposed to tanning beds or the sun, and can spread quickly over a period of weeks or months. See the Resources section for additional information about types of skin cancer.
