By Amanda Held
An industry that collects over a billion dollars a year could be an industry that shortens your life. Tanning in natural or in artificial sunlight seems to be an epidemic in today’s society. Why? Mabye the price of looking attractive outweighs the price overall healthiness.
It is not a secret that over exposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer. The question is why rationally self-interested people still expose themselves to the harmful rays. There are some benefits of being tan. For instance being tan allows you to have a healthly look to your skin in a short period of time. Tanning gives you a quick glow for that special event you’ve been waiting for. Tanning also brightens your mood. When exposed to natural or artificial sunlight the chemical seratonin is released in your brain which causes positive feelings. It is thought that by establising a tan before you go on vacation gives you more protection. This is a misconception. The only thing your establishing when obtaining a pre-tan is permanent damage to your skin. If your going on vacation protect yourself with an SPF of 20 or higher. Another misconception is tanning beds are safer than the natural sun. The rays emitted from natural or articficial sunlight are equally as harmful. There are great costs contributed with the love of tanning. Tanning causes genetic damage in skin cells. These damaged cells multiply and can eventually turn into cancer cells. Tanning also causes 80% of premature aging. The age spots, wrinkles, and uneveness in skin all are results from overexposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation levels to the eye could be over 100 times greater in the tanning booth than with outside sunlight. Corneal burns, cataracts, and occasionally retinal damage can occur. The cost of tanning sessions for one month is at minimum fifty dollars.
When comparing both sides the costs obviously outweigh the benefits. The question “Why do people still do it” continues to arise. All the scientific and medical information about the danger of sun rays is out there for all to learn. What people do with the information is their ultimately their choice.
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I think the reason why people still tan is because the benefits are immediate and the negatives are in the future. Almost all of the negatives will occur way into the future, and therefore the "now" benefit will always preveil. I think people shouldn't tan because it is harmful; but on the other hand, being tan is better than being pale.
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