eileen

A nice article by a student...


Tanning can have health benefits

Allie Rohwer

Issue date: 9/15/08 Section: Opinion

In the last 10 years, the only hype we as a society have heard about ultraviolet light are the negative aspects from so-called dermatologists and other doctors. Although there are downsides to overexposure, the only negative information you need to know is that UV light may cause skin cancer.

The main reason for this negative side of UV light is the growing success from indoor tanning salons and tanning products . However, the only attention indoor tanning salons get from most health groups is negative. There is even a commercial that says anyone who uses a tanning bed is an "idiot." These accusations can only be explained in one way: someone didn't do their homework.

When health companies and magazines claim that tanning causes cancer, they are only giving one side of the story. Tanning in a tanning bed is not the only factor that causes cancer. You have the same chance of getting skin cancer in a tanning bed as you do from walking to class everyday.

Tanning takes place in the skin's outermost layer. About 5 percent of the cells in this layer are special cells called melanocytes. When exposed to Ultraviolet B Light, these cells produce melanin, the pigment that is responsible for your tan. When stimulated by Ultraviolet B Light, the pinkish melanin begins traveling up toward the surface of your skin and is absorbed by other skins cells. When exposed to Ultraviolet A Light, the melanin oxidizes or darkens. The darkening is your skin's way of protecting itself against too much UV Light.

For the first time in years, scientists are reporting good news about sunlight - in the form of vitamin D. Healthy vitamin D levels are being associated with lower risks of several types of cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and other diseases. The only way to get vitamin D is to get more sunlight.

Vitamin D helps the body process calcium to create strong bones. Vitamin D can be achieved by drinking milk, but more and more studies show that milk alone is not doing the trick. The natural way is through sunlight. And not just any sunlight - controlled amounts of sunlight you can only find in a tanning salon.

Studies have also shown that getting too little vitamin D may be worse for you than getting too much sun and can increase your chance for heart disease and other internal problems.

So the next time you want to achieve a little color, don't be afraid to step into the tanning salon. Tanning consultants are there to help you achieve color, not to burn or damage your skin. When you're smart about tanning, it is more of a benefit for you than a risk.

Unless you're that girl who looks like she just spent 40 hours in a tanning bed, you have nothing to lose but great color.

SOURCE LINK: http://media.www.westerncourier.com/...-3430199.shtml

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"under exposure to UV rays is as dangerous as overexposure....this is D life" eileen