Issue date: 9/6/02 Section: Opinion

The American Academy of Dermatology(AAD) says more than one million people in the United States spend thousands of dollars a year on something that could greatly increase their chances of developing a potentially fatal disease.

They make weekly trips to tanning salons to "fake-bake," though countless studies have shown a correlation between the usage of tanning beds and an increased risk of developing melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Shelley Budnik, an employee at Total Tan in Culpepper Plaza, says "Because our location is so close to the sorority houses and campus, pretty much all of our customers are college kids."

These customers, especially college students, need to realize the dangerous risk they are taking and stop ignoring the fact that by going to tanning salons, they are potentially causing enormous damage to their skin and overall health.

Skin cancer is known to be the most prevalent form of cancer, with more than half of all new diagnosed cancers being skin cancers, according to the AAD. An estimated 9,600 people will die of skin cancer this year, and one dies of melanoma every hour.

Those who go to tanning salons see the aesthetic, short-term benefits of tanning salons, such as having an attractive tan, but often fail to realize or simply choose to ignore the risks, such as the fact that chunks of their once tan, "healthy"-looking skin may have to be surgically removed if they develop skin cancer -- which could be sooner than they think.

"Dermatologists are treating more and more fatal skin lesions in remarkably young patients," said Dr. Sekula-Gibbs, a dermatologist and professor at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also report an estimated 700 emergency department visits per year related to tanning salon exposure.

Most disturbing, these people make the conscious decision to ignore the warnings put forth by physicians, medical and health-related organizations and even the tanning salons themselves.

Places such as Planet Beach and Total Tan have signs and information about the risks of tanning available in all stores. For instance, at Planet Beach, those who decide to use the facilities on a regular basis must sign a form acknowledging that. Failure to use eye protection provided by the tanning facility may result in permanent damage to the eyes. Overexposure to ultraviolet light causes burns and repeated exposure may result in premature aging of the skin and skin cancer.

At both tanning salons, large posters saying "As with natural sunlight, exposure can cause serious eye and skin injuries and allergic reactions. Repeated exposure may cause skin cancer," are hung in the rooms where tanning beds are located.

"Dermatologists across the country are alarmed with the number of teenagers and young adults who continue to patronize tanning salons regardless of the studies that have reported the link between sun exposure to a wide array of skin cancers," Sekula-Gibbs said.

There are countless self-tanning products available on the market that are not known to be a risk factor for skin cancer, and these need to be taken advantage of. Tanning salons even offer some of these products, such as Mystic Tan, a UV-free tanning system, or self-tanning lotions, creams and sprays.

The active ingredient in all of these products is dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, which "...reacts with proteins and amino acids in the skin's superficial layer to form a golden brown color," according to a Mystic Tan brochure.

Although these methods are not as popular, they are often less expensive and the tans last just as long as those from tanning salons. More importantly, they are a much safer and smarter alternative.

The American Cancer Society reports melanoma is one of the most common cancers in people younger than age 30, and "...intermittent, intense exposures to UV radiation are more associated with melanoma risk."

College students should realize the dangerous situation they are putting themselves in by patronizing tanning salons, and prevent themselves from being part of the one million new cases of skin cancer that will be diagnosed in the United States this year.

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