Yasmin Edrees

Edrees 1

Trimble
Emerging Tech
12 July 2016
The Effect of Indoor Tanning on Developing Skin Cancer
Although some people think that a tan gives them a healthy glow, any tan is a sign of
skin damage, says Sharon Miller. Exposure to the UV radiation increases the risk of developing
skin cancer. It is well known that a significant and relevant global issue today is the disease of
Cancer. Cancer effects nearly 500,000 people a year. Over 70,000 of those people suffer from
Skin Cancer. In order for us to allow ourselves to make greater progression in preventing Skin
Cancer, the public must understand the true harm of its greatest cause, indoor tanning. Tanning
beds cause a likelihood of developing Skin Cancers including Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma,
and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, a type of cancer that develops from the
pigment-containing cells known as melanocytes. With Skin Cancer, especially Melanoma, comes
many harms including premature aging, immune suppression, eye damage, and allergic reaction.
If found in its early stages, Melanoma can be cured. Melanoma is the moat deadliest type of skin
Cancer accounting for more than 10,000 of the more than 13,650 Skin Cancer deaths each year.
This type of Skin Cancer causes most deaths because it often spreads in other parts of the body
where its not as easy to treat (American Cancer Society).

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Basal Cell Carcinoma is known as the most frequently occurring type of Skin Cancer.
The two types of UV radiation that penetrate the skin from the indoor tanning are UV-B and UVA rays. UV-Bs penetrate the top layers of the skin while UV-A rays penetrate the deeper layers
of the skin. Exposure of both of these rays increase your likeliness of retrieving Basal Cell
Carcinoma. Through this disease during and after treatment, red/dark patches appear in various
areas of the skin which could be permanent. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
Lastly Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This type of Skin Cancer is very common to be
developed by the use of indoor tanning. Although it may occur in many possible parts of the
body, it is most commonly found in areas with most sun exposure. These may include however
not limited to lower lip, face, balding scalp, neck, hands, etc. Due to the increase of occurrence
of indoor tanning in the U.S, the diagnosis of this disease has went up to 200 percent in the past
three decades (Skin Cancer Foundation).
Ultimately the chances of getting Skin Cancer and these risks are higher with tanning
beds. Developing Skin Cancers such as Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Squamous Cell
Carcinoma, are a lot more common for you if you have a record with indoor tanning. In the end
your health is not worth the desire of a darker complexion. Indoor tanning is restricted in some
areas however there are still many locations that allow access to their tanning beds even to
minors. Its important that we sign petitions and persuade places around the country towards the
prevention of indoor tanning. In order for the public to be aware we must educate those of the
detrimental effects that come with indoor tanning such as Skin Cancer.

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Work Cited
"Indoor Tanning Is Not Safe." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 05 Jan. 2016. Web. 14 July 2016.
"Squamous Cell Carcinoma." Skin Cancer Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2016.
"U.S. Food and Drug Administration." Indoor Tanning: The Risks of Ultraviolet Rays. N.p., 27
May 2016. Web. 14 July 2016.
"Skin Cancer Facts." Skin Cancer Facts. N.p., 19 Apr. 2016. Web. 14 July 2016.