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Danielle Dion

Professor Cortez

UWRT 1102-008

20 November 2017

Inquiry Essay: Outcomes of Indoor Tanning on Young Adults

Sun tanning or simply tanning is the process where ones skin color is darkened. This

effect is most often a result of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight, although

another widespread source of UV exposure is from tanning lamps which are found in indoor

tanning beds. In comparison to other harmful potential risk factors in life, indoor tanning is a

highly prevalent issue particularly in young adults between the ages of 18 to 25 across the globe.

This inquiry is considered a health disparity across all health corporations in the nation because

of its addictive aspects and the particular age group that it is most prominent in. However, this

leads to the overall question of do the risks of tanning beds and exposure to UV radiation

outweigh the benefits? Solutions to this issue are currently being developed through legal and

parental action, as well as pinpointing the source of this bad habit.

Beginning in the 1970s indoor tanning became one of the fastest ways to achieve a sun-

kissed, golden skin tone that young girls strived for. Soon enough, the prevalence of this new

attraction became common, even a daily occurrence for individuals, reaching nearly 6% of the

adult population by the year 2010, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

Promotional influences, such as celebrities, have glorified tanning and placed a standard on

which skin tones are appealing. On popular reality television shows like Jersey Shore, the

socialites have trademarked their lifestyles through the daily activity of GTL, otherwise known
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as gym, tan, and laundry. With celebrities encouraging such an interest in their physical

appearance, particularly tan skin, it reinforces the common Americans drive to do so as well.

When looking back on prom and high school pictures, it was extremely normal to hear

about girls getting their hair, makeup, and spray tans done. It was not until college that a

common spray tan for formal events became going to a tanning bed multiple times a week.

Tanning, in fact, is such a common amenity in college that almost every student-living apartment

complex offers a tanning bed included in the clubhouse, providing a convenient location.

To introduce this topic of health and moral controversy, the reason behind why

individuals are attracted to the idea of tanning or being tan needs to be addressed. From previous

knowledge, many females get topical forms of tanning (spray tans) prior to important event, but

tanning beds provide a more long-term and natural appearance, as long as there is enough time

for preparation. Cosmopolitan Magazine interviewed a 27-year-old woman from New York City

who explained that feeling more attractive was her reason for tanning in the first place. This

response is one of the most common when asking someone why they decide to tan. It also

happens to be a personal, opinionated response, implying there is no scientific reason behind

tanning, besides the fact that it makes the individual feel good.

It is very difficult to completely avoid exposure to ultraviolet rays, or UV rays, whether it

is from an inside or outside source. Exposure to these UV rays is simply a part of an individuals

everyday life. They surround and provide our bodies with necessary nutrients such as vitamin D

and has been scientifically proven to improve mood and energy as well. However, this

correlation with a more positive mood may be attributed to the phenomenon of the idea that

people look better with tanner skin. Adversely, recently the appeal of tanning has been fading, as

the public has become aware of long-term risks and results of extreme sun exposure.
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Specifically, many implications of to human health stem from the process of excessive

indoor tanning. In the late 1980s, a group of scientists working under the National Institute of

Health conducted a study to evaluate the relationship between the occurrence of skin cancer in

young adults and the use of tanning beds, essentially a frequency-response study. This

longitudinal study lasted nearly 20 years to effectively observe and collect a well-represented

cohort in the United States using 73,494 female nurses. In the end, 5,506 nurses were diagnosed

with basal cell carcinoma, 403 with squamous cell carcinoma, and 349 with melanoma. This data

provided evidence of a correlation between tanning bed use and risk of skin cancer, particularly

basal cell carcinoma and those who experienced exposure at a younger age. This study supplied

dependable evidence of the association between indoor tanning and skin cancer prevalence

within a specific population.

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy among Caucasians in the United States.

According to Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff, a clinical professor of dermatology at NYU, states, 90%

of all skin cancers are associated with exposure to the suns or artificial ultraviolet radiation.

Not only does this statement support the study conducted by the NIH, it identifies the prevailing

origin of many skin cancers. Factors such as indoor tanning not only increase the risk of multiple

types of skin cancer, but can also be associated with extreme long-term risks, such as eye

damage, immune system suppression, and premature aging. Tanning has become such a

dangerous issue in young adults that tanning before the age of 35 increases the risk for melanoma

by 75%. Due to the recent discovery of the dangers associated with artificial tanning, national

and state level governments have taken action to restrict the rules and regulations, particularly by

applying age requirements.

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Given the risks of indoor tanning, in 2014 the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA,

required appropriate labeling on all UV ray emitting products. This newly updated label

specifically stated that the products should not be used by anyone under the age of 18 and require

a signed risk-acknowledgement certification. Promotional advertisements were also required to

provide specific warnings about the potential risks. By setting these standards, governments not

only promoted the proper use of the equipment, but educated the public before they put the

products to use. Another action taken by legislation was the legal motion to ban indoor tanning

for all those under the age of 18. This is decided, however, by each state individually mandating

the law through policymakers. At least 44 states regulate indoor tanning for minors, with sixteen

of them completely outlawing indoor tanning for all those under the age of 18. Such legislative

measures are taken due to the extreme damage that UV exposure can cause during childhood and

teenage years. Actions like this are necessary due to the idea that many young people do not have

the level of maturity and cognitive ability to understand the potential risks of indoor tanning. In

fact, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study that found that the

percentage of high school students under the age of 18 who chose indoor tan fell from 16% in

2009 to 7% in 2015, after the legislation was passed to enforce age requirements.

Actions taken reduce the use of indoor tanning have become more prevalent due to the

recent increase in skin cancer prevalence within the past two decades. The Skin Cancer

Foundation, an educational, non-profit organization, launched a Go with Your Own Glow

campaign in 2008 that highlighted reasons to stop tanning. They also promoted the slogan,

developed to encourage people to love and protect their skin, whatever its natural hue.

This campaign was highly successful, receiving $4.4 million in donated advertising space and

reaching more than 360 million readers worldwide. With organizations like these, in addition to
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government requirements, the public becomes more educated through legal and non-legal action

to help set a standard for reducing UV radiation and loving ones natural skin tone.

Exposure to UV radiation, either from sunlight or indoor tanning equipment, is the one of

the most important, avoidable causes of skin cancer. Since indoor tanning is not completely

outlawed, alternatives, such as topical tanning, produce favorable outcomes similar to indoor

tanning. Topical alternatives include tanning lotions, makeup, or simply sunblock to reduce any

temporary skin damage or burns. The active ingredient in most sunless tanners is

dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, which is a natural sugar derived from plants and is FDA

approved. These newer and healthier alternatives of topical tanning are becoming progressively

more popular, particularly due to the price and portability of the products. By avoiding indoor

tanning and practicing protection techniques when exposed to UV rays, obtaining a sun-kissed

look can be far healthier.

In conclusion, the overall concern with the detrimental risks associated with indoor

tanning is something that needs to continue being advertised. The high potential of skin cancer

caused by exposure to UV rays does not outweigh the personal benefits associated with being

tan. Multiple studies have continued to support the idea that all UV radiation tanning is

dangerous and their claims can be supported with statistical evidence. This sort of evidence not

only enhances knowledge of how dangerous exposure to UV radiation is, but also solidifies the

idea that tanning beds are harmful, and people must be more cautious about their exposure to UV

rays.
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References

Balk, Sophie J, and Alan C Geller. Teenagers and Artificial Tanning. Pediatrics, AAP News

and Journals Gateway, May 2008,

pediatrics.aappublications.org.librarylink.uncc.edu/content/121/5/1040.

Clough-Gorr, KM, L Titus-Ernstoff, AE Perry, SK Spencer, and MS Ernstoff. Exposure to

sunlamps, tanning beds, and melanoma risk. Cancer Causes & Control, Springer Link,

Sept. 2008, link-springer-com.librarylink.uncc.edu/article/.

Obayan, Busayo, Alan C. Geller, Elissa A. Resnick, and Marie-France Demierre. Enacting

legislation to restrict youth access to tanning beds: A survey of advocates and sponsoring

legislators. Science Direct, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, July

2010, www.sciencedirect.com.librarylink.uncc.edu/science/article/.

Sarnoff, Deborah S. The Tale of Tanning. Skin Cancer Foundation, 17 Nov. 2011.

www.skincancer.org/prevention/tanning/tale-of-tanning.

Shunatona, Brooke. Why I Still Use Tanning Beds. Cosmopolitan, Cosmopolitan, 16 Feb.

2016, www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/interviews/a53606/why-this-woman-

still-uses-tanning-beds/.

Zhang, Mingfeng, et al. Use of Tanning Beds and Incidence of Skin Cancer. National Center

of Biotechnology Information, American Society of Clinical Oncology, 27 Feb. 2012,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3383111/.