Lifestyle
By: Emily Carter
I vividly recall my senior year of high school when I first got a punch card for the only tanning salon in our tiny Midwestern town. It was prom season, and for reasons only an 18-year-old could comprehend, achieving that sun-kissed glow while in my prom dress felt essential.
I chose a pair of minuscule pink sunglasses, purchased a tanning accelerator, packed a couple of towels, and then eagerly climbed into what essentially looked like a large, plastic coffin. My goal was to achieve a deep tan that suggested I had spent the winter lounging on a beach instead of shoveling snow in South Dakota. In hindsight, I realize my friends and I didn’t achieve much besides basking in UV rays and significantly increasing our risk of developing melanoma.
Melanoma is a severe form of skin cancer that can be deadly. It can present itself as an innocuous mole that morphs in shape, grows larger, or darkens, eventually spreading throughout the body and attacking vital organs. Each year, an estimated 10,130 people in the U.S. succumb to melanoma.
The Skin Cancer Foundation explains that melanoma occurs when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells—usually from ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds—leads to genetic mutations. These mutations cause the skin cells to multiply uncontrollably, resulting in malignant tumors. I wish I could show you the graphic images of skin cancer, but even I am haunted by the sight of a person with a gaping hole through their nose. Proceed with caution if you decide to search.
At 18, I wasn’t contemplating melanoma or the horrifying potential of having a lump in my groin that could lead to death at 26 like Samantha Lee. I wasn’t concerned about developing stage 4 melanoma at 30 and passing away shortly after giving birth, as another young mother recently did in Pennsylvania. My only worry was securing my tanning time slot because all my friends had punch cards, too.
I didn’t think about the addictive nature of tanning, which has been found to release endorphins that give a sense of euphoria and well-being. No, my focus was solely on achieving that perfect tan for one night at prom.
Some might argue that tanning beds aren’t particularly harmful. “I’ve been going for years, and I’m fine,” they say. But the reality is much graver. Just a single visit to a tanning salon can increase your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 67%. Furthermore, 76% of melanoma cases among individuals aged 18 to 29 are linked to tanning beds. If you use a tanning bed before the age of 35, your risk of melanoma jumps by 75%. Alarmingly, a study published in JAMA Dermatology found that cases of skin cancer attributed to tanning outnumber lung cancer cases related to smoking. Shocking, right?
I think I’ll be making an appointment with my dermatologist pronto. If you’ve ever used a tanning bed, it might be wise for you to do the same.
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In summary, tanning beds pose serious health risks, particularly the potential for melanoma and other skin cancers. It’s crucial to prioritize your skin health over temporary beauty ideals.