Lifestyle
I still recall my senior year of high school when I got my first tanning bed punch card from the only salon in our small town. With prom looming, I felt an overwhelming urge to achieve that sun-kissed glow while wearing my beautiful dress, a feeling only an 18-year-old could understand.
I remember choosing the cutest little pink sunglasses, purchasing tanning accelerator lotion, and bringing along a couple of towels. I then squeezed myself into what resembled a large plastic coffin, hoping to turn a deep bronze as if I had just returned from a tropical vacation instead of enduring a freezing winter in South Dakota. Looking back, I realize that all we truly succeeded in was soaking up some vitamin D and significantly upping our chances of developing melanoma.
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that can be deadly. It often begins as a seemingly innocent mole, which can change shape, grow larger, and eventually spread to vital organs or bones. In the U.S., approximately 10,130 people lose their lives to melanoma annually.
As outlined by the Skin Cancer Foundation, melanoma occurs when skin cells suffer unrepaired DNA damage—most commonly from UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds. This damage triggers mutations that prompt rapid and uncontrolled skin cell growth, ultimately forming malignant tumors. I could share disturbing images, but I’d rather not relive the trauma of seeing pictures of people with severe skin damage.
At 18, I wasn’t thinking about the risk of melanoma or the potential consequences of my tanning habits. I was preoccupied with securing a prime tanning bed appointment because all my friends were doing the same.
I didn’t worry about the possibility of finding a lump in my groin and facing a grim diagnosis like my classmate, Lisa Hart, who tragically succumbed to melanoma at 26. I also didn’t think about the young mother in Pennsylvania who developed stage 4 melanoma at 30, just after giving birth.
My only concern was my next UV fix. Tanning can be highly addictive, releasing endorphins that create a euphoric sense of well-being. No, I was solely fixated on the idea of looking perfect for prom night.
Some might dismiss the risks, saying, “Oh, tanning beds aren’t that harmful. I’ve been using them for years and I’m just fine.” But make no mistake—this is a dangerous misconception. Even a single trip to a tanning salon can raise your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 67%. Furthermore, 76% of melanoma cases in people aged 18-29 can be linked to tanning bed use. If that’s not alarming enough, studies show that using tanning beds before age 35 increases your risk of melanoma by 75%. A shocking 2014 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Dermatology revealed that skin cancer cases attributed to tanning outnumber lung cancer cases from smoking.
I think it’s time to schedule an appointment with my dermatologist right away. If you’ve ever used a tanning bed, you should consider doing the same.
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In summary, while the desire for a sun-kissed glow may seem appealing, the health risks associated with tanning beds are far too significant to ignore. Protect your skin and prioritize your well-being—your future self will thank you.