Sun Safety for Your Skin: It’s Really Not “All about That Base”
When you visit the tanning salon before hitting the beach, you’re not just paying for a base tan. You’re also potentially putting your health in danger.
Indoor tanning is a risky, often addictive behavior among teens and adults alike. Yet, despite the long-term risks and warnings, around 30 million people visit the tanning salon every year, and 2.3 percent of those tanners are teens!
Indoor tanning increases your risk of developing skin cancer, premature wrinkles, eye damage, and immune suppression. Recent studies revealed a 59 percent increased chance of developing melanoma in individuals who had been exposed to the damaging rays of indoor tanning machines.
The idea that getting a base tan to avoid getting sunburned and reduce the risk of developing skin cancer isn’t based on research and is not endorsed by medical professionals. In fact, you don’t have to get sunburned to get skin cancer. Any exposure to UVA or UVB light from either an indoor tanning device or the sun can lead to skin cancer, so cover up and protect your skin next time you hit the beach!
