Tanning Beds' Effects
Tanning beds are a process in which an individual can get a suntan without ever having to go out into real sunlight. They are also often called sunbeds. With tanning beds, artificial ultraviolet radiations are emitted to produce an artificial or "sunless" tan. Tanning beds are a very common way to get a tan, and about a million individuals in the United States use this method of fake tanning. However, there is a lot of concern regarding the safety of using tanning beds. Does this Spark an idea?
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Ultraviolet Rays
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There are two different types of ultraviolet rays emitted from the sun -- UVA and UVB. With UVA rays, the wavelengths are longer and go deeper into the skin. With UVB rays, the wavelengths are much shorter and only affect the upper layers of the skin. Restricted exposure to UVA rays causes the skin to tan. However, long-term overexposure to UVA rays can eventually cause some serious skin damage. UVB rays are often called "burning" rays and considered to be even more harmful than UVA rays.
Identification
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Many people are concerned about the emission of ultraviolet rays in tanning beds because they usually release between 93 percent and 99 percent UVA radiation, which makes the tan appear stronger. This is approximately three times the UVA radiation that is naturally emitted by the sun. However, some people believe that since many tanning beds emit UVA rays (long-wave rays) instead of short ones, the risk is minimized.
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Considerations
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Even though UVA rays do not have the exact same burning effects as UVB rays do, they penetrate much further down into the skin (to the dermis layer), which can cause an individual much more significant and serious permanent skin damage. There are very few tanning beds out there that do not release any UVB rays at all, so combining both can be detrimental to the health of the skin.
Common Negative Effects
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Some of the most common negative effects of using tanning beds to tan include skin cancer (melanoma) in the most severe incidences (generally after years and years of exposure to high levels of UVA and UVB rays), skin burns and premature aging of the skin. The International Journal of Cancer stated that individuals who regularly used tanning beds were at 75 percent increased risk of developing melanoma, which is a deadly form of skin cancer that is caused by exposure to UVA and UVB rays.
Prevention/Solution
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Even though in the short term a tanning bed can give you a nice looking, even tan, it's a smart idea to ask questions before you use one. These questions should include how often tanning beds can be used safely, the general recommended tanning time for your type of skin, what types of lotions are best to use and what kind of protective eye wear is suitable.
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