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| You're Not Betty Cro ...
You're Not Betty Crocker, Don't Bake Your Life Away.
by
Amber Hebblethwaite
SUMMARY:
This is an informative article regarding tanning and the harsh effects of it on the human body. |
Are you a teenager trying to get that luscious look ofhealth? Do you want to be considered "high class", and think that having a beautiful tan will further your chances? Well, have I got a secret for you.
In the 19th century when pale was the Europian style, women wouldbe seen casually twirling parasols to protect themselves from the sun. Having a tan wasn't something to be proud of back then, infact, women with tans were considered to be prostitutes, and men were seen as slaves. It wasn't until the 1920's when Coco Chanel made an appearance with her golden aura that being tan became socially acceptable. From the time Coppertone made it's debut in 1953 until the 1980's tanning became a great hit with stars like Farrah Fawcett glistening on the walls of many teenage boys' bedrooms, to stars like Bo Derek being crowned a perfect 10 for her luscious hide. However,when the 1980's came around a shadow was cast upon tanning as the world realized the ozone over our heads was protecting us far less.
But by the 1990's, no matter the knowledge of it's dangers, tanning began to get back in style when celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston appeared once again, brown and gleaming, and by 2003 spray on tans were starting to become popular as a guilt free way of looking luminescent. "Tans are what sociologists call a signifier, or a sign, because here we have something that doesn't really mean what it means," states Stephen Katz, asociology professor at Trent University in Peterborough, Ont. "Unlike good posture, and an appropriate weight, having a tan does not mean you're healthy -- at all. It is the 'sign' of health, or myth of health, ruggedness, being outdoors, as well as a sexual sign."
"Tan year round without the harmful side effects of the sun." We've all heard claims like this, however, Joshua L. Fox, M.D., a dermatologist in Fresh Meadows, N.Y., states, "There is no such thing as a safe tan, just one sunburn increases your risk for skin cancer." Although increased exposure to the sun gives your body a boost of Vitamin D, helping to build strong bones and prevent diseases, making it seem as if sun basking is a good idea, a nice walk down your street is a sufficient way of taking care of your body's needs.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is the leading factor in developing skin cancer.Moreover, experts believe that the rise in the rates of malignant melanoma--the most serious type of skin cancer--is most likely due to an increase of exposure to UV radiation, whether it comes from sunlight or artificial sources of light such as tanning beds and sunlamps.
Ultraviolet light has two wavelengths, short-wave rays called UVB which burn the outer layer of skin, and long wave rays called UVA which penetrate more deeply and weaken the skin's inner connective tissue,often thinning skin and increasing the damage done by the sun over time. After exposure to UV radiation, the skin develops a new pigment called melanin to protect itself from further damage. Generally it takes three to five days for this pigment to develop, causing the darkening of your skin, which most teenagers crave. By going to a tanning salon two or three times a week, a person is preventing this pigment from completely developing, causing more damage each time you visit.
Many teens don't think about the long-term risks of tanning, because they believe it won't happen to them, or that in a few years they'll stop caring. It's true that skin aging and cancer are often delayed effects and don't usually show up for many years after the exposure, unfortunately, teens are un-aware of both the dangers and other long term effects such as a burnt cornea, putting them at the greatest risk.
Whether you tan indoors or with the sun, studies show that ultraviolet rays and medicines such as birth control, cosmetics, and soaps may increase skin burns and produce adverse skin reactions such as rashes. In addition to rashes, tanning devices may even cause light-sensitive skin ailments such as cold sores.
"Many people don't realize that a tan is an indication that damage to the skin has occurred," said dermatologist Clay J. Cockerell, M.D., president of the American Academy of Dermatology. "The medical community needs to continually educate young people that ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds causes premature aging and increases the risk for future skin cancer. If you want to look like you've been in the sun, do it safely with a sunless self-tanning product and continue to use sunscreen."
Self-tanning lotions, also known as "sunless" tanners, contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a colorless sugar that interacts with dead skincells in the epidermis, darkening the skin. The effect is only temporary because as the dead skin begins to fall off, so do the darkened cells,causing the tan to disappear within a week if the lotion is not re-applied.
"They're easier to use than ever, the color appears more natural, and some lotions even contain sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF)," says Stanley B. Levy, MD, adjunct clinical professor of dermatology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill.Sunless tanning lotions are now available in all skin tones, with added vitamins, herbal extract, antioxidants, and alpha-hydroxy acids. But buyer beware, don't be fooled when products claim to be self-tanning; such as "Tanning amplifiers", "Tan accelerators," "Bronzers" and worst of all "Tanning Pills". Bronzers are merely like a makeup, and offer little to no protection, and products such as tanning amplifiers and tan accelerators interact with the sun just worsening the damage done. The pills - which are commercially banned in the U.S. - are the worst. They contain a pigment called "Carotenoid Chemical Canthaxanthin", and have been associated with hepatitis and urticaria, a condition that involves itching and skin eruptions.
"Read the ingredients on the label of all these products carefully," says Dr. Levy. "Unless their active ingredient is DHA, they're not bona fide sunless tanners, and they could very well be harmful for your skin." If you're looking for that luminescent glow, and have decided to go with a safer route, there are several great dermatologist approved self-tanning lotions on the market, such as Neostrata Exuviance or Jergens Natural Glow.
If you can't seem to get your tan just right with lotions, there are other options open to you as well, such as the Mystic Tan. Nearly all tanning salons have one, and they are sure to have a wonderful outcome as long as you follow all the pre-spray instructions.
Instead of letting the media tell you what looks healthy and what doesn't, be your own influence. Stars like Lindsey Lohan and Jennifer Lopez may look like goddesses now, but in a few years, they are going to regret it, when all they've ever had to do was take advice from Nicole Kidman, and keep their skin healthy and radiant. So do yourself a favor, don't think about now, think about you're future, and let your own mind decide.
Article Source: http://www.elrincondelantropologo.com/
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| About the Author |
I'm sixteen years old, I write for my city newspaper and hope to one day take that opportunity and turn it into a life-long career.
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