After the tan lines have aded - Essay Example

After The Tan Lines Have Faded, What Now Cancer is probably the most alarming illness that can claim thousands of lives in just a year. While some may be cured with the use of the latest technologies, others are just too severe that several treatments are not an assurance that a person will be able to live a normal life after undergoing a number of therapies and medicine intakes. According to recent studies, almost half of all new cancers are skin cancers (http://medi-smart.com) and what is even more shocking is the fact that minors are the ones who are more at risk with having this kind of illness. This is perhaps, due to the fact that indoor tanning is selling like hotcakes to young people. So, should indoor tanning be banned for minors There are several factors which contribute to having a skin cancer and perhaps the most common and well known cause of it is too much exposure in the sun. It is not new to almost everyone that the sun's ray is at its strongest from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM so it is advisable that if one is going to go outside between the said periods of time, it is recommended to apply sunscreen, wear a hat or even sun glasses to protect the eyes. Nevertheless, in a recent survey conducted by American Academy of Dermatology, over 10,000 young people ages 12-18 from all 50 states, found that the use of sunscreen on sunny days was practiced by only 34.4 percent. The said survey also discovered that natural sunlight wasn't the only significant source of UV exposure for teens nowadays. Approximately 10 percent of teens had used tanning beds. (http://medi-smart.com) Tanning is "IN", or so what these teens thought. And who does not want a sun-kissed look everyday The look of summer never fails to leave a sexy impression on almost everyone that girls of any age would do almost anything just to get that "just got from the beach" look. Almost any thing that they are even willing to take their lives is at risk. With indoor tanning, those who wish to achieve a bronze look don't need to wait for summer to come or pray for a good weather for sun bathing. Because anytime of the day, regardless of the climate and weather, one can obtain a perfect tan she has always wanted by just merely going to a tanning salon. However, although indoor tanning is a booming business in the United States, generating estimated revenues in excess of $5 billion a year, several skin specialists, including WHO (World Health Organization) says tanning beds could be responsible for an epidemic of skin cancer in the future because teens love to tan. (http://www.poynter.org) In Canada, the National Cancer Institute estimated that doctors will detect more than 80,000 skin cancer cases, and up to 5,000 of those will be melanoma. (http://www.cyc-net.org) Malignant melanoma is a less common, but a potentially deadly, type of skin cancer. Melanoma has been linked to intense intermittent and long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation during childhood or the teenage years, (http://www.crd.bc.ca) and an awful truth is that public health officials in Ontario, Canada learned that tanning salons were even catering to children as young as eight. (http://www.skincancer.org) In light with this, this study will find out if indoor tanning is one of the main causes of skin cancer of minors and if there are other side effects of this. Also, this study will give rise to a supposition if it is recommended to be used by people who are below 18 years of age. This will also discuss further the current Bylaw Regulating Tanning Facilities and if this law is enough to defend the teenagers out there on the possible hazards of indoor tanning. Basking under the sun has been one of the favorite past times of the people especially during summer. Strolling along the beach in a stunning bikini and a perfect tan line to boot never fails to get a second glance from anyone. Nowadays, being tan is already becoming a fashion statement that almost everyone is dying to achieve the sexy tan lines they get from steaming under the sun. But tracing the past, how and when did tanning really started According the an article in Californiatian, back in the early 1920s, "Sun Therapy" becomes very popular and is prescribed as a cure for everything from simple fatigue to tuberculosis. On the same year, Gabriell "Coco" Chanel, a French fashion designer, popularized the tan as a status symbol when she appears at the fashion shows with a golden tan obtained while vacationing on the French Riviera. A year after that, Hollywood movies begin to use color film. Soon, rosy cheeks and healthy parlors became the absolute necessity and swimming pools with starlets soaking around in the sun became the new California image. (http://www.californiatan.com) As everyone else knows, celebrities and models alike are a big influence on teenagers, specifically on teen girls. Whatever they see on their fashion icons, be it on their style of dressing, hairstyles to don and way of acting will surely land in their fashion bible. With this, it is not anymore surprising to know that even the color of celeb's skin are being imitated. Singer-Actresses Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez become teen icons and trend-setters around the globe are never seen without a radiant glow. Also, Jennifer Aniston, a main stay of the TV show "Friends", was dubbed as the "golden girl" of T.V. by setting fashion trends across America with her caramel highlighted hair and bronzed swept skin. (http://www.californiatan.com) On the other hand, Jennifer Simpson and Lidsay Lohan help keep the trend alive. (http://www.cyc-net.org) However, though how convincing tanning may seem, a lot of people still disregard the harmful effects of too much lazing under the sun. Melanoma expert David Hogg expressed his frustration by the glamorous image that tanning has. He even compared tanning to smoking, saying with both people are willing to enjoy a quick benefit in the face of long-term risks. (http://www.cyc-net.org) It is a known fact that too much of something is bad and it also goes with the ultra violet radiation from the sun. There are two types of ultra violet radiation, the Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). UVB has long been associated with sunburn while UVA has been recognized as a deeper penetrating radiation. Although too much UV radiation can be harmful, some scientists have suggested that there may be an association between UVA radiation and malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. (http://www.fda.gov) In the article "Tanning trendy for young despite skin cancer rise", researchers at Minnesota's Mayo Clinic said the rise in skin cancers in young people was inconsistent and they attribute the increase to the popularity of tanning among teen-age girls. (http://www.cyc-net.org) Also, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays appears to be the most important factor in developing skin cancer, (http://www.fda.gov) thus, too much exposure to the sun, by tanning or any means is extremely hazardous for one's skin and health. "Tan indoors with absolutely no harmful side effects" "No burning, no drying, and no sun damage" "Unlike the sun, indoor tanning will not cause skin cancer or skin aging" These are just some of the claims of tanning salons and all of the above mentioned are bogus. Yes, indoor tanning does not involve direct heat with the sun but it does not necessarily means that it is not dangerous. In fact, indoor tanning damages the skin because it uses devices that also emit ultraviolet rays. (http://www.ftc.gov) In the article "Are you dying to be dark" Rod Van Mechelen says "Touting the benefits of tanning salons over outdoor sunbathing is like promoting filtered versus non-filtered cigarettes. Either way, it's a bad idea. Indoor tans make you look old before your time, and they can kill you." And this statement is true, whether one opt for indoor or outdoor tanning does not make any difference except for the fact on how each one is being done. Outdoor tanning can be done by lounging outside during the heat of the sun while indoor tanning can be performed in the tanning salons with the help of tanning bed and sun lamps. Although the two are done inversely, indoor and outdoor tanning produces almost the same effect which probably make it hit among people who love the bronze look all year round. Most people choose indoor tanning because it is more convenient to go to the tanning salons than waiting for a pleasant weather to laze under the sun. Also, one benefit of indoor tanning versus outdoor tanning is that it allows you to control the amount of UV light that you are exposed to, so that you do not get a sunburn and prepare your epidermis for a predisposition to skin cancer. (http://www.tanning-advisor.com) Indoor tanning is also a great help for those suffering from diseases, such as psoriasis or osteoporosis, as UV rays assist the body in manufacturing the Vitamin D it needs to allay such conditions. This is also a great benefit to individuals who need to "take their solar vitamins" regularly and are unable to do so on a rainy day. In addition, a session in an indoor tanning facility is an intelligent way to maximize one's health while at the same time minimizing the risk of sunburn.(http://expressionmag.com) While the advantages of indoor tanning are being promoted by tanning salons and some associations like Suntanning Association for Education, it still cannot erase the reality that Indoor tanning has its own perilous effect. Based on Cape Henlopen and Nanticoke Dermatology, Inc., the bulbs in tanning booths produce UVA type rays which cause skin tanning, age spots and wrinkling of the skin that could later contribute to the development of skin cancer, just the same as with the sun's rays. In addition, a laboratory evidence in the Harvard School of Public Health demonstrates that sunlamps and sun beds do cause DNA damage, and it is highly likely that excessive exposure also causes skin cancers. Thus, exposure to these artificial UV light sources should be avoided altogether. It was also mentioned that human's exposure to artificial UVA lead to an approximately 2-fold increase in melanoma as compared to the natural way of tanning.(http://www.backlash.com). Aside from its harmful effects on the skin and system, studies also show that too much exposure to ultraviolet rays, including UVA rays, can damage the retina. Overexposure can burn the cornea, and repeated exposure over many years can change the structure of the lens so that it begins to cloud, forming a cataract. Left untreated, cataracts can cause blindness. (http://www.ftc.gov) With the increasing cases of skin cancer which can be very well related to teenagers fondness of indoor tanning, the Bylaw No. 3299 was created to regulate the different tanning facilities of tanning salons. Under this bylaw, the operator of the tanning salons shall ensure that the tanning equipment is sanitized after each customer use. Also, prior to the customer's first use of the tanning equipment at the tanning acidity, the operator shall provide the customer information for tanning salon customers. And as for minors, the said bylaw states that an operator shall require a person who appears to be under the age of 25 to present proof of age identification before the operator permits that person to use the tanning equipment for tanning purposes for the first time. (http://www.crd.bc.ca) If one is going to read the whole bylaw thoroughly, it looks like it is enough to help operators and customers of tanning salons be more responsible and aware of the possible consequences of indoor tanning if and only if customers would be more interested and the penalties for tanning operators would materialize if proven that they go against the guidelines. Teen's skins are considered to be sensitive as compared to adults because of hormonal changes and growth on cellular level that takes place on this critical stage. With this, it is even more advisable that they should shun away from too much tanning, whether outdoor or indoor. Joshua L. Fox, M.D., a dermatologist in Fresh Meadows, N.Y., was right when he says "There is no such thing as a safe tan. Just one sunburn increases your risk for skin cancer". Meaning, basking under the sun the whole day and going to salons for a tan does not spell any difference at all. One is still at risk to get skin cancer and it is up to the person to have control in everything she does. As a matter of fact, it is still advisable to get that natural glow from the sun rather than from a mead lamp. Ever heard of Vitamin D Bet that lamp can't give the biological effect it gives. As what the saying goes, nothing beats the original. Wouldn't it be more nice to show off those sexy tan lines to friends because it is all natural and not faux Tan may be "IN", it gives an impression of being chic and sexy but why risk health in exchange of that bronze look which is not innate Other people want a snowy look, others prefer it bronze, actually, it is just a matter of accepting the color of one's skin. Nevertheless, tanning is not a mortal sin, and being fashionable or at least attractive during his or her adolescent's year is a must for everyone, especially for girls, so if that bronze mien is more appealing, go out and have a natural suntanned skin, just master the art of self control before hitting the beach. And besides, what are those sunscreens for References American Academy of Dermatology. (2003, April 29). Teens And Tanning: A Dangerous Combination. Retrieved on March 17, 2006, from http://medi-smart.com/derm-tanning.htm Californiatian. (n.d.) History of Tanning. Retrieved on March 22, 2006 from http://www.californiatan.com /tanbasic/history_of_tan.ehtm Capital Regional District. (2005). Bylaw No. 3299 - A Bylaw Regulating Tanning Facilities. Retrieved March 17, 2006, from http://www.crd.bc.ca/bylaws/publichealthcle_/bl3299 0000/BL32990000.pdf Coles, T. (2005, August 15). Tanning trendy for young despite skin cancer rise. Retrieved on March 17, 2006, from http://www.cyc-net.org/otherjournals/oj-August2005.html Federal Trade Commission. (1997, August). Indoor Tanning.Retrieved in March 22, 2006, from http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/indootan.htm Maroevich, A. (n.d.) Indoor versus outdoor tanning. Retrieved on March 22, 2006 from http://expressionmag.com/tanning.html Mechelen, R.V. (n.d.) Are you dying to be dark Retrieved on March 22, 2006 on http://www.backlash.com/master/tanning.html Skin Cancer Foundation. (2004, March 24). Tanning Salons Are Letting In Children. Retrieved March 17, 2006, from http://www.skincancer.org/news/040324-salons.php Suntanning Association for Education. (n.d) The Bright Side of Indoor Tanning. Retrieved on March 17, 2006, from http://www.suntanningedu.com/BSIT.html Tanning-Advisor (n.d.) Discussion: Indoor Tanning Versus Outdoor Tanning. Retrieved on March 2, 2006, from http://www.tanning-advisor.com/indoor-tanning-versus-outdoor-tanning.html Tompkins, A. (2005, March 28) Targeting Teens and Tanning Beds. Retrieved on March 17, 2006, from http://www.poynter.org/content/content_print.aspid=80291&custom U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2005, March).Teen Tanning Hazards.Retrieved on http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/205_tan.html U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (1997, February 4).The Darker Side of Tanning. Retrieved on March 22, 2006, from http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/tanning.html Read More