Reasons to Give Up Tanning?

 The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified tanning beds and other A Tan To sources of ultraviolet radiation as definite Die For causes of cancer, stating that tanning beds The Dangers of Indoor Tanning are carcinogenic to humans.

 The U.S. Congress approval of a 10 percent excise tax on the use of indoor tanning beds went into effect on July 1, 2010. This tax is similar to the “sin tax” on cigarettes.

 The International Agency for Research on Cancer states that people younger than 30 who use tanning machines increase their risk of skin cancer by 75 percent. North Dakota Cancer Coalition  600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept. 301 As of April 8, 2011, children under 18 years Indoor tanning is now considered of age are now banned from using Bismarck, ND 58505-0200 among the most dangerous of ultraviolet devices in Great Britain. For more information cancer-causing agents. Phone: 701.328.2306  As of November 2009, the Brazilian Fax: 701.328.2036 National Health Surveillance Agency Website: www.ndcancercoalition.org banned ultraviolet tanning nationwide. *Some content in this brochure is obtained from the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

What About a Base Tan? What Is Tanning? UV or Vitamin D? Darker skin does offer greater Tanning is the skin’s reaction to Some people think that using sun protection than light skin against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. When skin is protective measures can lead to sunburn and skin cancer. However, exposed to UV rays, cells called vitamin D deficiency. Here are some that applies to people with naturally melanocytes produce the brown truths about UV and vitamin D: darker skin. Tanning, like sunburns, pigment melanin, which darkens the attacks the skin’s DNA, producing 1. Your skin needs only minimal UVB skin. This darkening of the skin cells is genetic defects that may cause skin exposure to reach the recommended the skin’s defense against further cancer. levels of vitamin D. damage from UV radiation. 2. Your skin can produce only a limited Is Tanning Bad For You? Are Tanning Booths Safer Than The sun’s UV rays damage the DNA amount of vitamin D from UVB. the Sun? of the skin’s epidermal cells, 3. After reaching the production limit, NO. Most tanning beds emit mainly triggering enzymes that race to further exposure actually destroys the UVA radiation. These so-called “tanning repair the damage. However, these vitamin, decreasing vitamin D levels. enzymes do not always repair the rays” are less likely to cause sunburn 4. Therefore, the Skin Cancer DNA successfully, and all this than UVB radiation from sunlight; Foundation recommends obtaining unrepaired damage can lead to however, contrary to the claims of some vitamin D largely from food or mutations that increase the risk of tanning parlors, that does not make supplements. them safe. In fact, they cause deeper skin cancer. Also, repeated 5. Examples of food with high vitamin D skin damage. UVA rays have a unprotected sun exposure can includes: fish, vitamin D fortified milk suspected link to melanoma, the cause photoaging — wrinkles, and yogurt, eggs. deadliest form of skin cancer. sagging skin and spots associated with sun damage.