Tanning Beds

This past week we learned about light damage to the skin. There are two types of ultraviolet light (UVA AND UVB). Even when the sun is not shining, UVA light is still present. It is very powerful, with a wavelength of 320-400 nm. UVA light can even go through some clothing. When a person goes into a tanning bed before the age of 30, they are increasing their chance of getting skin cancer by 75%. This type of UV light is also what is responsible for signs of aging.
UVB light is the type of UV light that causes sunburns. The strength of this light is stronger in the summer and weaker in the winter. UVB light is the type of light that causes most skin cancers.

Since I use indoor tanning beds on a regular basis, I looked up an article on how harmful they really are. According to the article, there are about 30 million people that use tanning beds. Many people believe there are not enough regulations in place concerning tanning beds and that there should be more. This year, there will be about 70,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed (Reuters 2011). I feel as though tanning beds are kind of like cigarettes. People know how bad smoking is for them, and that cigarettes causes lung cancer, yet they still do it. People know tanning causes skin cancer, yet they still use indoor tanning beds.

Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45656187/ns/health-cancer/t/tanning-beds-may-raise-common-skin-cancer-risk-percent/