Health Effects Of Using Sun Beds

There was a period in time when sun beds were highly recommended, since they were said to be “safer” than the natural process. However, as science developed, studies have also revealed the various health effects of the so-called ’safe’ sun beds. Here are some of the major health effects.

Damaging Effects

There is overwhelming evidence that sun bed side effects could be damaging to your skin. The main goal of tanning is for you to look better. Nonetheless the side effects that it has are very damaging to your skin.  The end result you’ll get is older looking skin and in some instances, even death. Here are some of the mainly devastating results of sun bed side effects.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma is considered to be the most common type of skin cancer. It is the type of condition that presents as a red or shiny pink lump on your skin’s surface. These little cancer lumps could appear on your scalp, face, ears or nose.

Malignant Melanoma

Another type of skin cancer. It is the kind that starts to develop on your skin cells which produce pigmentation, also known as the melanocytes. During the last four decades, this type of melanoma has rapidly increased compared to any other kind of cancer. In fact, it is even responsible for the about 80% of fatalities or deaths in relation to skin cancer in the United States.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This is considered to be the second most prevalent kind of skin cancer. Again, the condition is presented by having pink lumps on your skin’s surface. The area of the skin could look a bit scaly too. There are instances where it becomes sore also. As time develops, these pink lumps would be ulcerated. They also easily bleed. You can have growth of the lumps on your neck, face, ears, lips, shoulders, hands, legs and arms.

There’s No Difference At All

Most often, you would encounter advertisements of sun beds saying that they are the safe way to go if you want to have an instant tan since they do not have cancerous radiation, unlike the suns. If ever you encounter an advertisement like this, it would be better to ignore it. This is because it is all a lie.

In reality, there is really no difference in getting a natural sun tan and getting one from a sun bed. The effects of UV radiation produced by the sun and the UV radiation which are produced by sun beds are actually the same. Don’t be fooled by false advertisements like mentioned above.

You may also encounter those that say they only produce UVA rays and some only produce UVB rays. This could be a very controversial matter. This is because before, UVA rays were thought to be safe UV rays, while UVB are the ones that can cause you cancer. However, recent studies have shown that even UVA rays produce cancerous cells. This is why caution is needed. Either kind of UV radiation would cause you cancer, especially if you overdo it.

Beauty’s Price

Since society today is an image based culture, looking great is a very big deal for some. This is why most people are ready to pay the price of beauty, even if it would cost them their health. This is what happened to most people who have loved tanning and would give anything just for a gorgeous tan.

It is quite ironic that people tan themselves just to look glamorous and young. However, they continue to ignore UV radiation’s long term effects which damage DNA. It also damages your skin bringing it to the point in which wrinkles will occur more prematurely for those who love frequent sun bathing and tanning booth users.

If you really have no choice but to use a tanning booth, be sure that you will be provided a protective eye wear. This is because another health effect that it has would be eye damage. UV rays can also produce cataracts in your eyes. Long term exposure also leads to blindness.