The Truth About Indoor Tanning

For many men and women, indoor tanning is relaxing and rejuvenating. On average, thirty million North Americans head to the salon for a quick indoor tan, rather than laying out in the sun for hours. Tanning makes you look good and feel good. Most people think that indoor tanning is unhealthy and basically frying your skin. The key to indoor tanning is safe tanning, knowing the facts and limitations. Indoor tanning can be done safely if you consider how your skin tans, and not overdoing it.

When your skin develops a tan, that is how it reacts and protects your from UV light. There are three types of UV light waves: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Most indoor tanning beds operate using UVA light waves, with a slight mixture of UVB. The sun emits UVA and UVB waves as well. UVA is the least harmful form of light, since its waves are the longest. UVC is the most damaging form of wave since it is the shortest and most concentrated. When your skin reacts with these light waves, melanin within your skin oxidizes and causes the upper layer of your skin to turn brown. Melanin is the pigment within your skin which causes you to tan. Some people can produce more melanin than others, creating people who tan easy, and those who do not. Your level of tan greatly depends on how your skin produces melanin and how long and often you are subjected to UV waves. Some fair skinned people cannot tan, because they have a decrease in melanin production.

It is also important to remember not to burn while tanning. Take precautions such as wearing sunblock and limit your UV exposure to ensure that you do not burn. Sunburns are caused when you are overexposed to UV waves. Your skin will redden and swell, even blister. Sunburns can damage your skin over time if you continue overexposing your skin to UV waves.

Tanning can be good for you too! UVB waves create Vitamin D, sometimes known as "The Sunshine Vitamin." This vitamin is known to decrease your chances for getting several forms of cancer. Sun and tanning bed exposure is recommended often to people who have a Vitamin D deficiency. Ninety percent of all Americans are known to have a Vitamin D deficiency. Some sunlight is necessary to be healthy, you can't live without it. If deficient in this vitamin, it can cause osteoporosis, prostate cancer, depression, chronic pain, heart disease, and stroke just to name a few. Moderate tanning is healthy for you, look at some of the benefits of Vitamin D.

Practicing safe tanning is the key in tanning. Most commons myths tell you to avoid the sun and tanning beds all together. They thrive on stating that tanning alone causes cancer. Look at the benefits of tanning if done properly. Remember to limit exposure to UV rays and wear sunblock. Research shows that thirty minutes in the sun a day can make you a healthier person. Tanning beds also are known to increase health benefits because of the UV waves that are provided. Don't believe the myths that are thrown about all over about tanning. Know your limits, and don't overexpose yourself to UV waves. Tanning really is not harmful, its sunburn that does all the damage.