Having tanned skin has not always been popular. Today it may represent health and vitality or an outdoor lifestyle. As recently as the 1940’s it represented working outdoors in manual labor or poorly paid work.
As people became more prosperous in the 1950’s, leisure time became more of a lifestyle choice. People would spend time at the beach or have social activities outdoors. They had money and vacation time to go to warmer and sunnier climates.
It was not long before having an all over tan was a sign of an affluent lifestyle. It represented the living of a healthy and vital life and was highly desirable. Pretty soon, getting a suntan became an activity in itself. People would spend many hours in the Sun ‘working on their tan’.
People wanted to look suntanned all year round regardless of the time of year. Others wanted to look tanned before they went on vacation. With these attitudes prevalent, the development of the sunbed began.
And since the creation of the sunbed, it has proved to be very popular. It is even popular in places where the climate is sunny and people could get a natural tan.
But the question that most people that use sunbeds have and then choose to forget is are sunbeds healthy ?
It is actually very straightforward. Current research suggests that any form of exposure to ultra violet (UV) radiation will eventually lead to skin cancer. It makes no difference whether this UV radiation is from the sun or another source. Indeed, the only variation in this will be based on a persons skin type or other genetic factor like a family history of skin cancer.
Many sunbed owners or tanning salon proprietors may point out that most sunbeds use UVA radiation to tan the skin. Whereas the UV rays that can cause sunburn are UVB radiation. Whilst it is true that sunbeds will use UVA radiation, research suggests that UVA radiation is just as likely to cause skin cancer as UVB radiation even if the skin is not burned.
The salient point to all this is that any form of tanning of the skin will lead to skin cancer at some point. Maybe you will be fortunate and never reach that point during your life but the aim of skin cancer prevention is to limit a persons exposure to the cause of skin cancer, ultra violet radiation. That is why people should always wear sunscreen when outdoors. They should try to cover their skin with clothing and wear a hat and sunglasses when out in the Sun.
Topping up your sunbed tan every week or month is like going out in the Sun without any protection. Based on current research and advice, this seems like a risky activity for the sake of a glowing tan.