The controversy surrounding tanning beds centers

[Neon Beach]

The controversy surrounding tanning beds centers around the risk of skin cancer.

Skin Cancer -
Is skin cancer a major concern? Evidence: Absolutely, but it is a concern that professional indoor tanning facilities feel they are addressing effectively by teaching people to tan intelligently indoors and outdoors by limiting their exposure time.


Benefits of UV Light -
The benefits of sun exposure far out weigh the risks of sunburn and overexposure. Evidence: Non-melanoma skin cancer, which may be linked to sunburn and overexposure to ultraviolet light, has an extremely low death rate of .3 percent. These diseases can be subdued by regular exposure to sun: Breast Cancer, Colon Cancers, Osteoporosis, Hypertension and Diabetes according to Susan Freinkel in the June 2003 issue of the Reader's Digest article "The Healing Vitamin."


Dermatologists -
Why don't dermatologists like tanning? The dermatology industry makes most of its money on "vanity visits" from patients. One prominent New York dermatologist estimates that 50 - 90 percent of the dermatology industry's business is "cosmetic" and medically unnecessary. Skin cancer is an important issue to the dermatologists.


Scientific Research -
Researchers have known for years that individuals who receive regular exposure to sunshine have a lower risk of contracting melanoma skin cancer. This fact is not disputed in the scientific community among researchers, although some less-informed doctors and lobbyists do not understand this relationship. New research is showing that skin cancer is more prevalent in the northern latitudes of North America and Europe where minimal sun exposure is achieved.


Fear Factor -
The fear of the sun, fear of wrinkles and the fear of skin cancer is a multibillion-dollar industry led by special interest groups. Lobbyists for pharmaceutical firms that sell billions of dollars of sunscreens and anti-sun cosmetics have teamed with dermatologists to promote a misinformed campaign of sun abstinence. Conversely, there is no major industry except the indoor tanning industry that could make money by promoting the positive effects of sunshine. The indoor tanning industry consists of smaller companies that do not match the marketing saturation of the multibillion-dollar "sun-scare coalition."


Each person must make their own decision when weighing the benefits and risks of any action.