However, as of October 9, 2011, children under the age of eighteen have been banned from using tanning beds in the state of California. Uh-oh, Katy Perry said California Gurls have sun-kissed skin….what’s going to happen now?!

Well, I think we should all personally thank Governor Jerry Brown for passing this legislation, because though many teens don’t know it, tanning is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.

The Situation and Pauly D support spray tanning

The Skin Cancer Foundation states, “Close to 2.5 million teens tan indoors in the US every year, increasing their risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent. Indoor tanners are also 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma, and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma.”

According to the World Health Organization, “One in every three cancers diagnosed worldwide is a skin cancer. “

Have you ever thought about the whole tanning process? Tanning occurs when your skin is hit with Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This can be from natural or artificial tanning. Ultraviolet radiation damages skin cells and puts you at risk for skin cancer. Check out this WHO fact sheet about UV radiation.

You might think that just using a tanning bed once in a while will not be harmful to your health, but the National Cancer Institute says, “Women who use tanning beds more than once a month are 55 percent more likely to develop malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.”

Thus, please ask yourself if looking a little browner is worth risking your life. Tanning beds are NOT safe at any age and you WILL regret using them when you realize how preventable skin cancer is.

HOW TO PREVENT SKIN CANCER:

• Avoid tanning booths
• Spray tan! Fake that bronze look. Please don’t overdo it though.  I really don’t support the whole Jersey Shore look, but if you must…
• Visit a physician or a dermatologist. It is very important to catch skin cancer early on, when it is more easily treatable.