To achieve the perfect sun-kissed glow without the effort of lying out for hours under the sun, many women use tanning beds regularly or in preparation for a special event or school dance. While many see tanning beds as a cheap and easy way to get the tan they want, the health hazards that accompany tanning beds can burn an individual for life.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, exposure to tanning beds increases the risk of melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

If thousands of melanoma and other skin cancer cases each year are related to indoor tanning, one would think that more tanning salons would shut down the tanning beds to protect consumer safety. Despite the statistics, LA Tan and other tanning salons remain prevalent in suburbs such as Downers Grove, as hundreds of young men and women continually expose themselves to skin cancer and other skin diseases in exchange for a cheap tan that lasts up to one week.

However, lying in a tanning bed is not the only way to get tan. Many tanning salons and spas offer spray tans as an alternative, which involves a machine or salon attendant spraying the whole body with nonpermanent tanning solution.

While this procedure will not put an individual at risk for skin cancer and remains completely safe, it is pricier. Spray tans can range from $25-$50 depending on the salon as opposed to $8 per session in a tanning bed. Unfortunately, people would rather put their own health at risk instead of paying a little bit extra for a tan without skin cancer risks.

Although lying in a tanning bed once every five months won’t kill you, many individuals who frequent tanning salons are unaware of the devastating consequences of tanning three to five times a week.

Recently, a 27 year old woman from Kentucky made national news when she posted a photo of her face covered in scars from skin cancer. She has been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma five times and visits the dermatologist every six to 12 months to remove cancer spots from her skin. She did not post the photo to intentionally scare people, but to show the world the damaging truth behind the obsession with tanning beds.

Everyone wants to look tan all year round, especially during prom season. However, using safer alternatives to tanning beds, such as spray tans and self-tanners, will prevent you from physically scarring your body for life.

Nicole Williams | Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]