I
will be attending an event at the NC State Legislature Building on June
13. This event will support efforts by
the North Carolina Dermatology Association to help spread the word about
tanning beds. I’m sure there will be an
itinerary and I’ll stick with any discussions on their agenda. Still, I hope to steer some legislators
towards this blog and have them read some thoughts and facts I’ve gathered for
their information and knowledge.
So
Mr. /Ms. Legislator, I present to you several myths and facts below regarding
indoor tanning. Please read, learn, and
support a tanning ban for minors in North Carolina.
Myth: Indoor
Tanning Doesn't Cause Melanoma
Fact: The term “causes” implies that if you tan,
you WILL get cancer. This is wrong, however the fact remains that exposure to indoor
tanning increases the risk of developing melanoma. A review of 19 separate published studies
showed that use of tanning beds boosted the risk of melanoma by 75%.
Myth: You Need the UV Rays to Get Enough Vitamin D
Fact: No one disputes that sunlight produces
vitamin D which improves bone health and possibly heart health and resistance
to breast cancer. However, most medical
professionals suggest receiving your Vitamin D intake through supplements and
Vitamin D fortified food such as milk, cereal, and yogurt as well as from
salmon and tuna.
Myth: Tanning beds are a safe way to tan
Fact: There is no safe way to tan. Tanning, whether indoor or outdoor, is
evidence of damaged skin at the inner, epidermal region.
Myth: Tanning beds emit UVA rays which do not burn
the skin the way UVB rays will.
Therefore, tanning beds are safer than the sun which emits both UVA and
UVB rays.
Fact: While UVB rays are the main contributor to
sunburns, the World Health Organization has determined that UVA rays are
equally dangerous and perhaps even more likely to lead to melanoma.
Myth: Tanning beds emulate the natural sun. The sun isn’t bad for you!
Fact: No one will deny
that the sun is essential for life and generally good for you. But the UV rays within the sun are dangerous. Tanning beds are concentrated UV rays which
have been measured to emit 12X the amount of UV radiation as the outdoor sunshine!
Myth: Getting a base tan from indoor tanning protects
your skin.
Fact: While a base tan offers some minimal protection,
any change in skin color, including the base tan itself, is the body’s natural
defense against too much UV radiation.
In short, ANY tan is visible evidence that the skin is already damaged.
Myth:
Sunless tanning sprays offer protection
from the sun.
Fact:
While spray tans are certainly the
preferred method of getting that “summer glow,” the sprays offer absolutely no
protection against UV rays. These self-tanners
merely color the dead skin cells on the skin’s outer most layer. Those who spray tan still need to apply sunscreen when outdoors.
Myth: Tanning
beds are the best way to treat various ailments, such as acne and psoriasis.
Fact: While some practitioners might suggest such
treatment, the vast majority of medical professionals will state that the risks
of tanning beds far outweigh any such benefits.
For those people who are convinced otherwise, I would propose a law that
states any “prescribed” treatments be administered by a licensed radiologist in
a controlled medical facility, and not within a tanning booth run by employees
working for the summer.
Myth: Current
laws requiring parental consent are effective, thus no further restrictions are
needed.
Fact: There have been reports, including one by the
NBC Today Show, where under-aged women were freely allowed to use the tanning
facilities despite the local or state laws requiring parental consent. Also, the House Committee on Energy and
Commerce released a report that revealed tanning salons were routinely not
providing proper information to teens, including inaccuracies about health
risks, in an effort to gain business.
Loose legislation simply will not work.
Tougher laws are necessary to protect our children.
Myth: Government
should not impose age restrictions.
Fact: If that were the case, we’d be selling
alcohol and cigarettes to minors, as well as allowing children to drive cars
and vote. Age limits already exist, and
for good reason. In the case of alcohol
and tobacco, such limits are meant to protect the children. For voting and driving, the limits may be
imposed because children simply do not have the intellectual maturity to make
the decisions involved with each. Kids
just don’t realize the dangers of tanning and they will continue to use tanning
beds despite any potential dangers in their future. Like with alcohol and tobacco, the government
has a responsibility to help protect our children! The State of California and the City of Chicago have already taken such responsibility!
Myth: If
tanning restrictions are imposed, many tanning salons will close, putting
people out of work.
Fact: When the drinking age was raised from 18 to
21, there was much discussion on the effects towards alcohol sales and bar
patronage. Naturally, business did fall
off, but it did not disappear. Likewise,
despite the wishes of those who oppose tanning, the tanning industry will not
disappear entirely. However, safe spray
tanning has also grown in popularity. If
government is afraid of increased unemployment, I would suggest a subsidy
program for tanning salons to trade in their tanning booths and beds for
spraying equipment and training. This
would help keep the children safe from tanning and promote ongoing business.
The studies and facts from which the above claims are made include
legitimate sources such as the American Cancer Society, the American Academy
of Dermatology, the FDA, and the World Health Organization. The
latter has classified ultraviolet radiation as a carcinogenic, in the same
category as plutonium and uranium.
In summary, there is no such thing as a safe tan. But the fact remains that many teenagers (and
adults) consider being tan a fashionable necessity. It’s time to protect these children and
impose an indoor tanning ban on minors. Once
these children grow up to adulthood, they can make their own choices…and
hopefully, the healthier choice.
