Many people feel they look their best with a little sun kissed color, but when I hear someone say that they are going tanning I must admit I cringe. Maybe it’s easy for me to say because I’ve never gone to a tanning booth (yes, I am from NJ and have never been to a tanning salon!) and I worked on a farm the summer that I got married so I had a bit of natural color on my wedding day, but seriously?…tanning for your wedding? Tanning beds have been bumped up to Group 1, the highest cancer-risk category, and are considered “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. A World Health Organization report finds that those who started using tanning beds before age 30 increase their risk of developing melanoma by 75%…hear it again, 75%! Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths. According to the report it may also increases the risk of melanoma of the eye.
Brides Magazine and Glamour both devoted pages in recent issues declaring that the fake bake is out! It’s clear that it’s a matter of when the damage will be visible as opposed to if there will be harm to your skin. So consider the fact that you are beautiful just as pale and pasty as you are! It is recommended that you apply sunscreen daily (at minimum SPF 15 to 30 is recommended in all seasons), even if you are trying to get a natural sun tan and keep in mind that there are lots of artificial tanners and bronzer options out there!
Don’t be fooled! Tanning beds are not “safer than the sun” and they won’t prevent you from getting a sunburn. The reason you only go in for a few minutes is because it IS so intense. If you do tan and you have no plans to stop (I know some people say they like how they feel after tanning), then you might consider taking up smoking as well or adding a sprinkling of asbestos to your cereal in the morning–what the heck! The bottom line here is: There is no bright side of tanning beds.
