How much does tanning ACTUALLY damage your skin?

Question

I have fairly light skin but once I burn I continuously tan very well. I use to tan every other day for 7mins in the booths. I never got extremely dark, maybe a Britney Spear color at darkest (normal shade). I stopped because I thought it was killing me slowly with tanning. If you use protective sunscreen/bronzer, exfoliate, etc. how much damage does tanning actually do to you? Is it ever okay to tan? Besides this tanning, I never go to the beach or rarely even go outdoors (school, work) so this was my only exposure to UV rays.

Okay, is there anyone educated that can answer this? Everyone thinks booths are horrible but I need someone who actually knows what their talking about.

Answer 1

I have mild acne and my doctor actually told me that moderate tanning would be alright as long as you don't over do it and go about every other day. She said its crucial to keep the skin moisturized and recommended applying vitamin e or aloe vera gel to the skin following tanning. As long as you don't over do it and play it smart, I see nothing wrong.

Answer 2

Yes, it is very damaging. I have professional experience and unfortunately, first hand experience. If you are fair, the damage shows up more quickly. It doesn't matter what lotions and potions you use, these deep penetrating UVA rays can penetrate and do serious damage to the collagen/elastin structure deep within the skin. It causes mutations in the DNA and your skin becomes prematurely aged, looking leathery, discoloured, sallow with a loss of elasticity. the skin will be more prone to all kinds of skin conditions, especially rosacea as skin sensitivity is greatly increased.

If I can give you one piece of advice, please stop using the sunbeds completely and start using sunblock on a regular basis, not just in the summer, but all year round. UVA rays, which are the rays responsible for causing premature ageing are present all year round and can penetrate through cloud and do serious long term damage. UVB rays are also very damaging and even just being sunburnt once increase your risk of developing malignant melanoma in later life.

If you want proof of the damage you are doing, you can have a special photo taken of your face, which can show the damage deep below the skin's surface. You might be shocked to see what damage has already been caused and hopefully this will disuade you from further using tanning beds. Don't make the same mistakes as me, because I'm paying for it greatly.

Take care, be safe in the sun and avoid tanning beds at all costs.

HTH : )

Answer 3

Tanning exposes you to UVA rays, which really target the inner layers of skin. I wouldn't recommend tanning, but you could use a self-tanning cream or anything of the like. As for going to work and school, even a short period of time can expose you to the sun (good thing you're using a sunscreen).

Answer 4

Intentional long exposure to the sun or artificial tanning has been proven to be very bad for the skin. The reason being the possibility of developing a skin cancer. This is talked about all the time, especially when the warm weather arrives. You may want to try a tanning lotion which is safe.

Answer 5

NEVER go tanning!!! Not even in your back yard. The sun damages your skin even if you don't get a tan. Just a slight tan can lead to skin cancer...and a dark tan for many years could cause the cancer to be so bad you could die...even a mild case could kill you. If you use a sunscreen theoretically it will protect you but not all of them do...just don't go tanning. Use one of those gradual tanning lotions insted. I really like Jergens Natural Glow except you have to be really careful to get it even or you get kinda streaky...even though it takes about a week to see a change in your skin color...it is safer for your skin and it looks better to be white then have big welts of cancer all over your body.

Answer 6

Every little bit of it (tanning bed) damages your skin increasing your risk, every bit your in for the worst case of deadly form of skin cancer which is Melanoma. If your a type of person that likes to go tanning in the beach, remember even though its not as bad as tanning in the bed at the salon, every time you get a exposure of excessive UV rays will higher your chance of skin cancer. Your right!!! Tanning kills the person metabolism causing them to die slowly (excessive tanning)

Answer 7

Tanning is very bad for your skin. I'm very fair skinned and I would never even consider tanning basically since the UV rays are worse than being out in the sun. Be careful b/c tanning beds also promote skin cancer. Also it looks good when you are young but if you notice women that have tanned their whole lives most of them that are in their 40's or 50's look like they have alligator skin this is the harsh effects of tanning.

Answer 8

People do stupid things in the name of fashion and style. I file sun tans in the same category as high heels. Not all sun tans are for cosmetic reasons. Sometimes it is just a consequence of participating in outdoor activities.

Answer 9

I have to disagree. I think tanning in moderation is good. I went through hair school and they say tanning, in small doses is goo because you get Vitamin D. I think its good for the person because it also helps with your well being. Being exposed to light like that refreshes the body and mind. 7 minutes every other day isn't bad at all, its when its 30 minutes at three different tanning salons in the same day. that's when your baking your innards. See the way your going at tanning is extremely responsible and you will be fine.

Answer 10

tanning in a bed is the WORST thing you can do for your skin. talk about cancer in a box. it's 10 times worse than tanning in the summer on the beach. i'd def. reccommend tanning on the beach if you want a nice glow. just be sure to ALWAYS wear atleast 30 spf sunblock. it's your health, trust me. never ever go tanning again.