To Tan or Not to Tan?
Friday, March 28th, 2008As the amount of cosmetic surgeries being performed yearly continues to rise and more Americans go under the knife for lipo, facial surgery and breast augmentation, the country seems to be delving deeper into an age of pure vanity. To top off the “must look perfect at all times” phase that is the current trend in the U.S., is our ever growing fascination with being tan.
It was hoped that with all the research revolving around how bad tanning can be on your skin and the risks that come along with getting that desired glow, people would be thinking twice and be more cautious before surrendering their bodies to the UV rays. However, lately the opposite seems to be happening and more men and women are hitting the beach and the tanning salons to get that golden look.
TV Ad Claims Tanning is Safe
A TV ad that is set to start airing in the upcoming summer months, reportedly claims that tanning can actually be beneficial and good for people.
The group sponsoring this ad backs their claims up with the known fact that vitamin D, which the body gets from the sun, is essential to our overall health.
According to Sarah Longwell, from the Indoor Tanning Association, studies against tanning are supported by “junk science” and tanning is completely safe.
“More and more it’s becoming just what the doctor ordered,” says Longwell.
Then how do we account for the numerous cases of skin cancer that have arisen in patients who spent too much time in the sun? Are all scientists, researchers and medical experts lying to us, for whatever reason, because they don’t want us to be enjoying some nice weather or looking slightly darker than normal from time to time? Highly doubtful.
Campaign Proves to be Controversial
Many dermatologists and researchers believe that the advertisement is only going to be harmful to consumers and increase their risk for developing various skin complications and even cancers related to sun exposure.
These health experts want to remind the American people that although the body does need vitamin D, this is available to them through various foods and drinks.
Which is why there’s no real point, whether some “tanning associations” are trying to promote burning your skin or not, to test the findings of experts in the medical field and risk your own health for that “perfected” look.
A healthy alternative to frying your skin? There are numerous tanning products currently on the market that work wonders and spray tan has proven to be just as successful in appearance as the real deal.









