Step Away From The Tanning Beds

Before everyone jumps all over me, this is not a fashion news post. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s really darn important—and it’s beauty and health-related so it all comes together in the end. Plus, I like you guys (even if you don’t always like me) and I want you to be healthy so that you can keep up those saucy discussions about redesigning Vogue and Adventures in Copyright in the comments section.

My roommate (who knows that I love to get up on my beauty soapbox about such matters) sent me an article this morning on the subject of tanning beds and a new study regarding how truly dangerous they are.

Tanning beds are not good for you—this we know. But we now have a definitive study stating that hitting the bulbs before you turn 30 will increase your chance of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) by 75% due to the high doses of UV light you’re exposing your skin to. They are literally now classified as a Class 1 Carcinogen, a group that also includes asbestos, tobacco smoke, mustard gas, and plutonium. Plutonium, people.

I am always surprised that so many people I know actually still frequent tanning beds. It’s mind-boggling really, but I’m hoping this new study changes some minds.

And remember, pale can be very beautiful. But if you must self-tan, avoid the orange because that is never going to be chic.

posted by guest

Jul 29, 2009 10:49AM

I applaud you on posting this; it really is an important issue. But I also must add that deep tans themselves are quite unfashionable. Every time a see a blonde whose skin is darker than her hair I puke a little in my mouth. (I actually puke when I see that on a redhead.) Pale is so much more fashionable that skin that is burnt and toasted. Please, stay away from these hideous machines, and remember: If you don't tan, you won't have nasty tan lines that mess up which type of neckline you can wear.

posted by darcykins

Jul 29, 2009 11:15AM

wow, scary.
i'm glad i've never done that.
don't think i ever will.

side note: what is mustard glass? or is that a typo?

posted by Abby Gardner

Jul 29, 2009 11:17AM

Mustard gas. Sorry!

Jul 29, 2009 11:24AM

don't be sorry.
although i was really excited for a second; i was imagining something like uranium glass (which i love).

Jul 29, 2009 11:36AM

All I read was that they now include tanning beds in the same risk category as sunlight. Why is this shocking?

Jul 29, 2009 11:44AM

enjoy your cancer guest 5!

posted by casey

Jul 29, 2009 11:53AM

Want to hear something really scary? My aunt actually owns a tanning bed in her home and lets her 13 year old use it whenever she wants! And, of course, they live in Las Vegas.

I'm definitely all about the sunscreen and rarely leave the house without it on.

Jul 29, 2009 11:58AM

I knew a girl in high school whose family owned a tanning bed, she always looked rather orange. she also had corn rows. she was some kind of odd.

posted by givingrief

Jul 29, 2009 12:25PM

the whole fake bake look is so very tacky, even during those times it has phased into style. I don't know why anyone would want to risk their heath and ruin their skin for the sake of a few days of looking an odd shade of orangy-brown. I agree that there is nothing wrong with being your natural skin color, pale or otherwise.

Jul 29, 2009 2:46PM

"I want you to be healthy so that you can keep up those saucy discussions about redesigning Vogue and Adventures in Copyright in the comments section." Your sarcasm towards your readers is getting old.

Jul 29, 2009 2:51PM

Actually, reader 10, there was nothing sarcastic about that statement. I love reading the opinionated banter in the comments section, even when I disagree with it. xA

Jul 29, 2009 3:05PM

(#10) Thanks for making that clear Abby. I totally thought you were being hostile at first and that would have sucked cause I really like your blog. Have a great day.

posted by rickeyg303

Jul 29, 2009 3:41PM

love you abby.

Aug 03, 2009 2:29AM

There is no 'definitive study' cited here as a reference. I've been tanning for over 20 years and have a healthy shade of light tan. It helps with depression, and my skin and hair look better when I use tanning beds then when I have gone without for months, as I tried last year.

My skin isn't aging prematurely, and isn't orange. I tan in modern beds that filter out 98% of UV rays and are safer than being in natural sunlight.

Anyone who tans safely also knows that all you need per week is two 10 minute sessions to maintain a beautiful light tan coloring.

If the science behind this current hysteria [remember when the government was telling us that eggs were bad to eat?] can be cited, I'll give it some credence, but for now, I'll continue to tan in my UV safe bed and enjoy my color.