• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Photo

Although the days of sun worship are over, the sun’s presence in our daily lives is undeniable.

Over 1 million Americans go to tanning salons every day and over $5 billion is made by the tanning industry yearly.

However, the sun has been getting a bad reputation due to cancer incidences and the popularity of tanning in sunny and self-conscious SoCal.

Hitting the tanning beds to avoid the rays is counterproductive – the danger of commercial tanning seriously outweighs the risks of moderate sun exposure, which has been recently found to actually benefit our health.

UVA and UVB rays are types of ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun and artificial sources. These rays can lead to eye damage, wrinkles and skin cancer.

Some tanning beds emit five times more UVA than the sun, and major health organizations, such as the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization, advise people to avoid tanning beds, listing them as known carcinogens.

The disturbing fact is that indoor tanning is completely unnecessary and voluntary – it is not associated with or a consequence of an active lifestyle.

Maria Pasquera, a UC Santa Barbara student and a user of tanning beds, said that the biggest factor is time: “It takes 10-12 minutes in the studio, something that would take me a week at the beach to match. Also you get an even tan with no hassle – you couldn’t really get that under the sun.”

Addressing the dangers of tanning beds, Pasquera said, “People like to keep it up and leading such a hectic day-to-day life as students doesn’t leave time to think about future problems.”

With our demanding schedules, it’s very easy to push back considerations about long-term effects, but that should not allow us to continually hurt ourselves.

Despite hearing that artificial and unreasonable tanning isn’t good, few take the time to process that information and realize just how much they might be giving up in their future.

A survey taken by the American Academy of Dermatology found that 92 percent of respondents understood that getting a tan was somewhat dangerous yet 65 percent said they tanned to look better

But just going outside for a natural glow can benefit our health as well as offer an outlet for our senses.

Spending 10-15 minutes in the sun without sunblock on the face, arms, hands or back at least twice a week is helpful for our physical and psychological well-being.

Doctors recommend tanning outside before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m. when the sun isn’t as strong while allowing our skin to synthesize Vitamin D.

The lack of Vitamin D in over 25 million adults puts them at risk for multiple sclerosis, prostate cancer and osteoporosis.

Foods like salmon or milk are sources of the vitamin, but don’t come close to the levels supplied during exposure to the sun’s UV rays.

Being active outside or just sitting on the grass as a way to free your mind of stress on a warm day let your tan settle without the effort of the event taking up your thoughts.

Under the sun’s vibrant rays, you bathe your senses in a positive atmosphere, a contrast to the inanimate lights of the lecture hall or dorm room.

You get to experience a wholesome and relaxing environment rather than having another task on your already busy hands.

Soaking up the sun should be a personal enjoyment in a student’s life rather than a nod to imposed fleeting trends and a sacrifice for the sake of creating an image that you alone are conscious of having.

Balance is key and jeopardizing health for a few shades shouldn’t be an option.

To lighten up, e-mail Oster at moster@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.