Tanning and skin cancer

Mia Sorg

**Tanning and skin cancer**

**Introduction**

Tanning
is a fun and enjoyable thing to do in the pass time. Many people do it to make
themselves look and feel better. The outside effects of tanning are rewarding
from a distance because it gives the person a nice golden color to their skin,
but who really looks at it close up? Tanning is beginning to grow larger and
larger between each generation, which can result in a huge problem. Many people
do not realize the end results that tanning makes on your body.

I**nformation**

The
thing about tanning is that all forms are generated from ultraviolet radiation
rays or lights. UV rays is what is projected off of the sun and onto earth, it
is what helps heat the day (American cancer society, 2009). When there are
enough UV rays absorbed into the skin, there is a chance for a person to get skin
cancer called Melanoma.

**Possible effects of UV**

UV rays can affect every
individual differently from person to person. The amount of time spent in the
sun or in the tanning bed is what determines the effect. When a person first
begins to tan, either just by lying out in the sun or in a tanning bed, they
will burn. Sunburns usually occur when the individual is only in the sun for
about six to eight hours (The dangers of tanning).  A person is usually sunburn for an average of
a three days and the now burnt skin begins to peel, but underneath that skin is
new layer. The new layer of skin is now a shade darker than before.

This is
called a tan. Tans typically occur two to three days later after the initial
burn. Tans do not always happen though. For some people they will burn but will
not tan. Instead they will get blisters, if the burn is extreme enough. Burns
and tans are not the only things that can happen; some people may even have an
allergic reaction.

Tanning
causes the skin to go into premature aging. What is quite tragic is that when
an individual starts to tan, they are putting themselves in the path developing
skin cancer.

**Other Effects**

Allergic
reactions could be cause by many things; medication, environment, or even from
sunscreen, etc. (The dangers of tanning). All of those are short-term effect,
but what about the long-term effects? Some people also do not realize how
damaging tanning is to their eyes. But, while tanning in the sun, most do not
use anything to cover their eyes. They just close them. When going to a tanning
salon; they use little goggles with a very high tent. The goggles help for
protection of the eyes, but there is a still a very high risk of harming the
eyes. While tanning is going on the individual closes their eyes, but beams of
light rays still get through and hit the cornea of the eye. The light beams can
be so strong that they can potentially ruin the eyesight (The dangers of
tanning). Not only does tanning affect a person’s eyesight, but also their
skin.

**Statistics**

Right
now there are over thirty million people in America that tan and 2.3 million of
them are teenagers (Tanning, 2009). One in every five teenage girls tan, the majority
of which say it is because girls believe it makes their smiles look whiter and
that it clears up acne. Girls who have a tanning package at their local tanning
salon, typically go about twice a week. While the typically trip to the tanning
salon is twice a week, some girls will go more. Some girls will go four to six
times a week. Since  tanning is such a
dangerous activity and because some girls go way more than recommended, the FDA
has set a rule that the maximum times a week that an individual can go to a
tanning salon is three times (Tanning, 2009). When going to a tanning salon or
even just lying out in the sun, more times than suggested, the individual is
making themselves more susceptible to getting skin cancer like Melanoma. In the
past year, there have been over one million cases of people with Melanoma in
the United Sates (Dangers of indoor tanning).

**Symptoms of Melanoma**

Melanoma
is such a common skin cancer than most people do not even realize that they
have it. The most common way for Melanoma to form is through moles. Since moles
are so common to be on somebody, many individuals hardly notice them. One way
to know if a mole is cancerous is if it begins to bleed (Melanoma symptoms
& signs, 2001). The most forewarning sign of having a cancerous mole is
when sores around the area do not heal at an appropriate time (Melanoma
symptoms & signs, 2001). Melanoma and other skin cancers can also cause the
skin to change color or lose pigmentation (Melanoma symptoms & signs,
2001).

**Who is at risk?**

When it
comes to tanning and developing any type of skin cancer everybody is at risk,
just some are more susceptible. Children have such sensitive skin that it makes
the chances of them getting sunburnt very high. Elderly also have sensitive
skin and need constant protection from the sun. The next people to be at risk
would be people with fair skin. In most cases, people who have light colored
hair, have light colored skin. Since their skin is so lightly pigmented, the
rays of light act as a reflector and cause the UV to be even stronger,
therefore, causing a higher likelihood of being burnt (Melanoma research
alliance, 2012). People who have a family history of skin cancer are the ones
who are the most susceptible to getting Melanoma or any type of skin cancer.

**Protection from skin cancer**

Protection from the sun is very
easy and will decrease any chance of developing skin cancer. You can:

·
Wear
sunscreen at any time you will be exposed to sunlight for a long period of time
(Melanoma research alliance).

·
Wear
protective clothing outside, wearing clothes that cover more of the body will
significantly decrease the chances.

·
Sitting
in the shade whenever a person is out in the sun for the day. The sun is at its
highest peak and strongest at about 12 p.m.

·
Avoid
tanning (Melanoma research alliance).

**Conclusion**

While
tanning is fun and enjoyable, people are not realizing the harm it is causing
their bodies. Tanning and exposure to the sun are the leading causes of skin
cancer in the United States (American cancer society, 2009). Dark skin may look
good on the outside, but how is it going to look in a few years?

Works Cited

Excellence in Dermatology Excellence in Dermatologic
Surgery Excellence in Medical Dermatology Excellence in Dermatopathology “*Dangers*
of Indoor Tanning*.” N.p., n.d.*

Melanoma Symptoms. ”*Melanoma Symptoms &*
Signs*.” N.p., 01 Jan. 2001.*

Prevention: How to Reduce Your Risk of
Melanoma. *“Melanoma Research Alliance*.” Melanoma Research Alliance,
18 July 2012.

That Not-So-Healthy Glow: “*The Dangers Of*
Tanning."*NPR. NPR, n.d.*

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “*Tanning*.”
N.p.

What Is Ultraviolet
(UV) Radiation*? “American Cancer Society*,” 3 Nov. 2009.