People are making their 2011 New Year’s resolutions. For many, forming healthy habits is a high priority, including more physical activity, healthy eating or quitting smoking. This year, consider adding this one to your list – Resolve to Make 2011 the year of No Tanning Beds. By avoiding tanning beds, you decrease your risk for skin cancer, maintain a healthy, younger looking complexion and save money. It’s like four resolutions rolled into one.
Decrease Your Risk of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a global epidemic with 90 percent of all cases caused by sun exposure, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. It is also the most common type of cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimated that 1 million new cases of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer were diagnosed in 2009, and 8,650 deaths were attributed to melanoma. For those who use tanning beds, the risk of forming melanoma increases by 74 percent compared to those who never frequent tanning salons, claims a report in the journal of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. And for those who spend more than 50 hours under those indoor UV rays, the risk triples. Even more troubling, the newer high-pressure tanning beds (that mostly emit UVA rays) can increase the risk to four times.
Maintain a Healthy, Younger Looking Complexion Longer
Ultraviolet radiation may cause irreversible changes in the skin including fine wrinkles, deep grooves, blotchiness, sagging and a leathery texture. Some of these changes may appear as early as the age of 20 in anyone who has spent a great deal of time in the sun during childhood and teen years. Artificial tanning can cause any or all of these unwanted cosmetic effects and contribute to premature aging of the skin.
Save Your Money
The tanning industry generates more than $5 billion in annual revenues each year despite the warning that tanning beds are dangerous, according the American Cancer Society. If you frequent tanning salons, a chunk of that revenue came from you! In addition, with the new 10% tax on tanning beds, artificial tanning is becoming an increasingly expensive habit.
The use of tanning beds can create undesirable long term effects. The benefits of avoiding them can be significant – and it’s never too late to break a bad habit! Join us in saying “No” to tanning beds.
Avoiding tanning beds is the first step toward a healthy, SunAWARE New Year!
