Jaramillo 1

Jessica Jaramillo
Adam Padgett
English 102-125
April 12th, 2016
Tanning Beds: A Dangerous Obsession
For the past century society has been obsessed with the idea of having a glowing, sunkissed look despite serious repercussions. In 1908 the first account of tanning bed usage began in
Europe and then took off by storm thanks to Coco Chanel in the 1920s. The image of having the
perfect tan grew over the decades and thus grew the fake tanning industry. It was not until 50
years later that scientists noticed in increase in cases of skin cancer and thus dermatologists and
health offices needed to take responsibility for finding the cause of the correlation. Studies were
done on the effects of UV lamps and it became public knowledge thanks to the FDA that the use
of tanning beds were in fact the cause. Though the use of tanning beds can benefit peoples
appearance, the side effects can lead to unhealthy and life threatening diseases.
First, to further understand why tanners attribute the time, effort, and money towards
indoor tanning, people need to understand the demographics of tanners. As many people know,
melanoma sits as one of the many cancers related towards tanning and according to a recent
article by the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, melanoma incidence [are] higher
in females, with a female:male incidence ratio of 1.70:1 among young adults aged 15-29 years
(Friedman). With that being said, it is apparent that young women influenced by pop culture and
social media fill the majority of victims that suffer from indoor tanning. The desire and want to
be tan has become an obsession that frequent users of tanning beds may become addicted to
these endorphins (Burton). And with addiction comes a dependence or moreover, blocking the

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effects of the endorphins could lead to withdrawal symptoms (Burton). This whole fad thus
becomes a tanning influenza and spreads to younger and younger ages. Thirteen and fifteen year
old girls begin to beg their parents to take them to the tanning salon while 20 years ago young
teens barely knew what tanning beds were. Thus with the high demand of tanning beds comes
the influx of tanning salons.
According to Friedman, there are more tanning salons than Starbucks or McDonald's in
166 large cities in the US. After reading that statistic I thought to myself that had to be
impossible, and then I thought about my hometown of West Chester, Pa: 5 tanning salons, 2
Starbucks and 2 McDonalds. Then Columbia, SC: 47 tanning salons, 19 Starbucks and 47
McDonalds. Regardless if there are more death occurrences due to over consumption of Big
Macs or not, the facts are shocking. The popular demand allows for a great deal of availability
and with so many tanning salons popping up over the last ten years, the FDA hustles to see that
each salon follows their regulations. In September 2007, the Tanning Accountability and
Notifications Act (TAN) was introduced that required proper labeling of the hazards of in-door
tanning (United States Congress, 2007). The means for passing this act were based off of a
study done by Hoerster and colleagues (2009) indicate that tanning facility density, computed
by dividing the number of indoor tanning facilities in the 100 most populous cities, was found to
be in high numbers documenting the wide availability of indoor tanning facilities in the United
States (Driscoll). They distributed a questionnaire that measured the accessibility of tanning
beds throughout America. From the data, researchers discovered that 15 U.S. states held no
restrictions for minors to access tanning bed. The questionnaire included questions such as ages
that are prohibited, maximum age at which a guardian must accompany a minor, maximum age
at which parental consent is allowed as well as legal issues including auditing and investigations.

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The highest possible score for restrictions in place was 31, the highest number met was 26 by
only two states. Overall, this study published in a nursing magazine written by a Donna W.
Driscoll, PhD, RN, CPNP, and Jennifer Darcy, PhD, RN, CPNP, hold credible evidence to the
fact that accessibility to tanning salons and their lack of safety precautions and measures has
only increased the use of tanning salons thus harming our youth.
Now what exactly is wrong with tanning beds? According to the International Agency for
research on Cancer (IARC), there is a positive correlations between melanoma and the use of
tanning beds before age 35 (Friedman). Tanners claim that the difference between indoor tanning
vs natural sunlight is that the UV lamps are much safer because of the controlled setting. They
enjoy the warm sensation and therapeutic feeling associated with indoor tanning. However,
according to Addiction Biology, between 50 and 90% of skin cancers are caused by UV
radiation. And, In 2000, the WHO [(World Health Organization) estimated] that there were
200,000 cases of melanoma and 65,000 melanoma-associated deaths worldwide, coupled with
2.8 million squamous cell and 10 million basal cell carcinoma cases (WHO 2009) (Harrington).
From these statistics alone readers would think people who use tanning beds would stop, but the
population of sun-less tanners has only increased. The American Academy of Dermatology
reported an increase in tanning bed use from 2% in 1986 to 12% in 1996 (Greene). The fact is
that tanning beds have been reported as dangerous and addictive as some of the many activities
that scientists warn us not to come in contact with like cigarettes. In a journal by the National
Science Teacher Association, it was written that, the International Agency for Research on
Cancer now places tanning beds in its highest risk categoryGroup 1 carcinogens
(carcinogenic to humans)along with cigarettes and asbestos (Liberatore). This statement
alone should be a wakeup call to tanners across America; however, just like majority of people

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know cigarettes are terrible for you, they smoke them anyway. According to a dermatology
professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, it is suggested that, light-induced
endorphins are reinforcing [frequent tanners] behavior (Burton). It is apparent that the use of
tanning beds has become no longer a hobby, but an addiction.
The major confusion that arises with tanner is the difference between UVA rays and UVB
rays. When majority of tanners sign up for their tanning membership most salons are required to
inform users of the differences between the two; however, salon workers are bias towards the
knowledge and can sway ignorant users away from the negative effects of tanning. In a study
done by the Laboratory of Cell Biology and the National Cancer Institute, researchers and
scientists measured the differences in damage between UVA rays and UVB. The truth is that a
persons original skin pigment has an original level of melanin because of their genetics and that
UV rays correlate with peoples original levels but still effect all skin types in some way or form.
The experiment exposed human skin with, suberythemal doses of UVA and or UVB over 2
weeks after which a challenge dose of UVA and UVB was given. Their results were as
followed. Although visual skin pigmentation (tanning) elicited by different UV exposure
protocols was similar, the melanin content and UV-protective effects against DNA damage in
UVB-tanned skin (but not in UVA-tanned skin) were significantly higher (Miyamura). This
conclusion explains that all types of UV-induced tanning leads to DNA and cell destruction
which ties back into the photocarcinogenesis process leading to skin cancer.
In contrast to the knowledge that the use of indoor tanning beds is in fact harmful to all
users, the use of indoor tanning beds and UV lamps has increased over the past 100 years. The
reason being, that people are convinced that the small amount of short term health benefits
outweigh and are more important than the long term risks. In an article published by Health

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Guidance, Dr. Elizabeth Danish shares her knowledges as a Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist,
tanning itself can benefit a tanner simply on the basis of heat and UV rays being applied to the
skin (Danish). She claims tanning is a great alternative compared to cosmetic surgeries to
improve upon ones appearance. According to Danish, the benefits of artificial tanning include,
reduction of acne, increase in vitamin D and a short term cure for Eczema. Because tanning is
essentially the drying out one ones skin, peoples pours are less likely to over produce natural
oils, thus a reduction in acne. Vitamin D hold a great deal of benefits and is a vital nutrient that
everyone needs to survive. Having a decent amount off vitamin D in ones system can lead to a
decrease in chances of colon and breast cancer, depression, arthritis, diabetes and high blood
pressure. However, tanners have to be mindful that natural simply being outside in natural light
can also increase vitamin D levels. Another interesting benefit that Dr. Danish pointed to is
apparently, exposure to UV light will stimulate the thyroid gland which is responsible for
balancing the metabolism of the body, thus tanning can actually increase metabolism which
would in turn help in losing weight (Danish). The final claim Danish made was directed toward
the FDA, stating the indoor tanning is overall safer due to the fact that it is FDA regulating and
the exposure time under the UV light is much more limited compared to people baking outside in
the sun all day. The truth is that majority of tanning salons are FDA regulated, not all. Though
Danishs arguments support a select amount of information supporting indoor tanning, her
arguments do not outweigh the long term effects and consequences.
The solution to the problem. To reduce the use of any harmful activity or interest the first
step is increasing awareness. The National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) deliberating that
there is a need for vitamin D, but there is also such a thing as too much. Other forms of obtaining
the nutrient can include eating vitamin D-enriched foods such as salmon, milk, yogurt, orange

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juice, cheese, eggs, tuna and mushrooms that have been exposed to ultraviolet light (Liberatore).
Going to the tanning salon to get ones quick fix of vitamin D can no longer be an excuse. Paying
close attention to FDA regulations on tanners own time is also another great way to be aware of
the limitations that make tanning safer. Like stated previously, not all tanning salons obey FDA
regulations. It is duty of parents, guardians and tanners themselves to education indoor tanners
on the severe and dangerous long term effects that will come from tanning beds. Another
solution that could also be put in place to solve this problem would be a greater influence of the
FDA. Overall, the FDA should instill regulations for each salon in order to open and operate.
Before laying into this research topic, (literally) I was very biased on the concept of
indoor tanning. I was an avid tanner myself and strove for the bronzy glow that resulted from
countless visits to the tanning salon. My mother, being the guardian she is, was very adamant
that I did not go; however, after constant begging and pleading she relentlessly signed permission
away that I could tan, under parental consent and appearance, meaning she had to attend each
session with me. At age 15, I thought these regulations were ridiculous and nonsense. At age 18,
I refuse to go. After hearing negative stories and facts from my peers I started to question how
beneficial my frequent tanning sessions actually were. I had friends that did research themselves
and with their reactions and my other obtained background knowledge, I soon realized it was not
worth it. January of this past year was my last visit to the tanning salon and I vow to never go
back. The long term affects and harmful possibilities that I could do to my skin and body are not
worth the short term beautification process. The truth is, you can spit out 100 facts on why
teenage girls should not go tanning, and they will dismiss and ignore every single one. It takes
time, research and impactful friends to help realize the severe consequences from the use of
indoor tanning beds. And I am thankful that I have exercised all of those resources.

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Work Cited
Applebaum, MD., Robert. "History Of Fake Tanning Sun-Kissed Skin, Minus The Skin
Damage". Huffington Post. N.p., 2013. Web. 4 Apr. 2016.
Burton, Adrian. "Tanning Trippers Get UV High." Environmental Health Perspectives 114.7
(2006): A403. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Mar. 2016.
Caswell, Michael. "The Effect Of Tanning Bed Exposures On Skin Conductance."
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine 18.4 (2002): 212. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2016.
Danish, Elizabeth. "Benefits Of Indoor Tanning". Healthguidance.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 30 Mar.
2016.
Driscoll, Donna W., and Jennifer Darcy. "Indoor Tanning Legislation: Shaping Policy And
Nursing Practice." Pediatric Nursing 41.2 (2015): 59-88. Academic Search Complete.
Web. 28 Mar. 2016.

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Friedman, Blake, Joseph C. English, and Laura K. Ferris. "Indoor Tanning, Skin Cancer And
The Young Female Patient: A Review Of The Literature." Journal Of Pediatric &
Adolescent Gynecology 28.4 (2015): 275-283. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar.
2016.
Greene, Kathryn, and Laura S. Brinn. "Messages Influencing College Women's Tanning Bed
Use: Statistical Versus Narrative Evidence Format And A Self-Assessment To Increase
Perceived Susceptibility." Journal Of Health Communication 8.5 (2003): 443. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 2 Mar. 2016.
Harrington, Cynthia R., et al. "Activation Of The Mesostriatal Reward Pathway With Exposure
To Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) Vs. Sham UVR In Frequent Tanners: A Pilot Study."
Addiction Biology 17.3 (2012): 680-686. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2016.
Liberatore, Stephanie, and Meg Streker. "Health Wise." Science Teacher 77.5 (2010): 70-71.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Mar. 2016.
Miyamura, Yoshinori, et al. "The Deceptive Nature Of UVA Tanning Versus The Modest
Protective Effects Of UVB Tanning On Human Skin." Pigment Cell & Melanoma
Research 24.1 (2011): 136-147. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Apr. 2016.