Indoor tanning is immensely popular these days, especially among women and around college campuses. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than one million people use indoor tanning salons each day in the United States. Though many people know there are dangers associated with indoor tanning, the prospect of dark, golden colored skin is more important to many indoor tanners, especially in the summer time when people are preparing to go out in public wearing swimsuits.
Purpose
Indoor tanning salons offer a relatively quick and easy way to get a sun-kissed tan, which can even out your skin tone and even make you appear slimmer. Indoor tanning salons were created to decrease the amount of time that a person has to spend in the sun in order to get tan. For instance, it may take six hours laying out on the beach to get as tan as 10 minutes in a tanning booth will make you.
Benefits
There are some possible benefits of indoor tanning. According to US News and World Report, proponents of indoor tanning, such as the Indoor Tanning Association, say it is beneficial because it provides the body with extra vitamin D, an important nutrient which is involved in many of the body's daily functions. Proponents of indoor tanning believe that getting extra vitamin D through tanning can actually help boost your immune system and your mood.
Risks
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, ultraviolet radiation from the sun and from indoor tanning booths raise your risk of getting cancers such as melanoma. They state that indoor tanning can also cause premature aging of the skin, suppression of the immune system, eye damage and cataracts. Indoor tanning may also cause serious burns if not used properly or used for too long. The FDA states that about 3,000 people have to go to the emergency room each year because of indoor tanning bed use.
Legislation
The United States currently has some legislation which regulates indoor tanning booth use. For example, the majority of states currently restrict minors from using tanning booths. Some of the states that do not restrict minors from using tanning booths have legislation to do so pending. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the FDA is also considering changing the working and format on the safety warnings which are placed inside of tanning booths, in order to make the warnings more stringent.
Cost
According to the Dallas News the cost of indoor tanning is relatively cheap, costing anywhere from $6 to $20 per visit. The cost of using indoor tanning booths does vary based on the location. Most indoor tanning salons recommend regular visits, at least weekly or twice per week. Though indoor tanning salons sell packages of many tanning sessions at discounted prices, the cost of weekly indoor tanning can still add up over time.
