Health and Fitness

Tanning beds can be an easy way to get a great tan without spending hours under a hot sun. However, tanning salons are getting a bad rep due to myths and rumors about people cooking their internal organs, and their skin falling off due to too much UV radiation. As scary as it sounds, these beds do have harmful effects associated with them, however they aren’t going to cook your insides and make your skin fall off.

The Ultraviolet rays that tanning emit are considered the most dangerous aspect of tanning beds. There are 2 basic types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVB rays are the same rays associated with sun rays, which can cause sunburns or skin cancer. Tanning beds mainly emit UVA rays. This type of energy is thought to penetrate the skin much deeper than UVB, and can therefore cause long-term skin damage. People using a tanning bed within the recommended time limited are at much less risk of getting burned – due to the nature of the UVA rays. However, UVA rays are also linked to the most deadly form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. Due to the popularity and sometimes misuse of tanning beds, malignant melanoma is becoming more common.

Overuse of tanning beds or tanning in general can also cause loss of skin elasticity and premature aging. Many people don’t realize these effects until much later in life due to the delay of the damage caused by the harmful rays. Some proponents of tanning beds claim that UV rays are a healthy way to promote the body to produce Vitamin D, but the amount of UV rays needed for it is very minimal.

Fortunately tan beds can be safe and the dangers can be limited with proper use of protective measures. Most tanning salons provide UV protective lotions and eyewear to consumers. Although there really is no completely safe UV ray exposure, tanning beds don’t have to be cancer inducing devices if used within their recommended range and limits.

The bottom line is if you use precaution and the proper techniques to protect yourself, these beds can be a great way to improve the look of your tan.

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