Are Tanning Beds Safe?

Many people turn to tanning beds to maintain their tans while avoiding the sun's harmful rays. But are tanning beds any safer than laying out in the sun?

When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, it produces extra pigment to help protect itself from burning. This is what causes a person to tan. However, there are serious problems that can result from too much exposure to ultraviolet light. A person who receives too much exposure may experience damage to the eyes, blistering, rashes and early wrinkling. It is also possible that a person who is exposed to too much ultraviolet light may develop skin cancer.

Some salons advertise tanning booths as a safe alternative to tanning in the sun. However, studies are unclear on whether this is true. The first tanning beds were developed using mostly UVB rays, which are the rays that are most likely to result in burning. Due to the publicity about the harmful risks associated with sunburn, many tanning bed companies switched to beds that use UVA rays, which are less likely to cause sunburn. However, these rays appear to increase the risk of melanoma.

Although the damage done by UVB is easy to spot, since it results in burning, UVA rays actually penetrate deeper into the skin, so they can damage tissues under the surface where the damage is not so obvious. Both types of ultraviolet light can cause damage to the skin. Exposure over time can lead to thinner skin and interfere with the skin's natural ability to heal itself. This makes the skin more susceptible to cancer and causes it to age more quickly, resulting in early wrinkling.

Ultraviolet rays can also cause damage to the eyes. They can result in burned corneas or even cataracts. Tanning customers are usually told to wear eye goggles, but many do not heed the warning and try to protect their eyes by keeping them closed or covering them with a cloth. These methods do not keep the harmful UV rays from damaging the eyes.

To protect yourself from the dangers of UV rays, it is a good idea to use tanning beds in moderation if you do use them. Always make sure to wear goggles to protect your eyes during your tanning sessions. However, you may decide that it's just not worth the risk. The safest bet when deciding whether to do something that could be harmful is just to skip it.

For more great info on tanning visit http://www.findtanningbeds.com a website offering tips, advice and resources on topics such as home tanning beds, commercial tanning beds and even finding great tanning bed lights plus so much more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_H