Pros & Cons of Tanning Salons

Because having a golden tan is considered beautiful and sexy, more and more people are now heading to tanning salons in search of that perfect tan. Despite claims on both the medical and the beauty industry sides, tanning salons are neither 100 percent safe nor 100 percent evil, which is why it's important to consider all the pros and cons before stepping into a tanning booth.

Significance

One of the biggest advantages of tanning salons is convenience. Tanning indoors is quick, and the newer machines often require less than 10 minutes per session, two or three times a week, to help you obtain a golden color. Not only are the sessions short, but they can be scheduled to fit into your life and done during lunch breaks or in the evening after work. Many tanning salons are open 24 hours.

Effects

While tanning in general is not good for your skin, tanning salons are safer than tanning outdoors. This is, in part, due to the fact that the time of exposure is a lot shorter but also due to the light itself. Tanning beds usually filter UVB rays (the kind that produce burns), so there's more of a chance you'll tan rather than burn.

Considerations

One of the biggest problems with tanning salons is that people tend to shun protection while tanning indoors. Studies published by the American Academy of Dermatology show that people who use skin protection while outdoors are still likely to jump into a tanning bed without any cream at all. This can be especially dangerous for those with sensitive skin who don't tan easily.

Warning

Tanning can cause skin damage if done too often or for too long of time periods. Because tanning sessions in a salon are rarely more than 15 minutes, people are more likely to overdo it. Too much tanning can lead to premature wrinkling, loss of skin elasticity, discoloration and even skin cancer. While it's true that tanning helps with production of vitamin D, the amount of sunlight required to get enough nutrients does not justify the use of tanning beds.

Expert Insight

Tanning beds can be dangerous for eyes unless proper protection (in the form of special dark lenses) is used. The high UV levels can damage the retina or cause cataracts in those who use tanning salons frequently without proper eye protection. Goggles given out at tanning salons do not always offer 100 percent protection, so for those who tan regularly, it may make sense to buy and bring your own.