A Brighter Shade of Pale

open tanning bed with blue and purple lights

This is not new news but it’s worth repeating: TANNING BEDS CAUSE SKIN CANCER. 

A New York Times article from Saturday, January 10th, discussed teenagers “popping” into tanning salons on their way home from school or in preparation for the prom. As students, they “don’t have time to lay out on a beach.”  Hmm. Advertisements and strip mall signs promise prettiness and even better health. Hmm! A disturbing fact reported in the same article was that in Florida, there are more tanning salons than McDonald’s or CVS stores.

Recent scientific evidence reports a rise in melanoma in women under 40, a potentially devastating and even fatal form of skin cancer. Physicians are also reporting younger patients coming in with all forms of skin cancer. Last year the surgeon general asked Americans to reduce their exposure to the sun and tanning beds. More than 40 states have placed at least some restrictions on the use of tanning beds by minors. For those over 18, it’s about educating them on the morbid negative effects.
Tan skin used to be equated with beauty and enhanced health. This notion is medically outdated and needs to change. If you look at all the most beautiful models and young actresses, they get it. They have accepted that pale is beautiful. Creamy, luminescent skin is in. Long lastingly. Unfortunately, tan skin is still touted by teens-to-20’s as more attractive, and some even tan to “fit in” better. They don’t worry about cancer at that age. Smoking is significantly down, maybe one day soon tanning will be too. Even without the link to cancer, tanning also accelerates another issue that doesn’t really concern young people … wrinkles.
So, to save your skin from both cancer and wrinkles, think pale.