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In today's world being tan is good, tan is associated with beauty. What people do not realize is that in the scientific world, being tan is bad. A tan is defense mechanism to prevent your skin from taking in to much UV light and ultimately burning. It is believed that exposure to UV lights and even sun will cause Melanoma Cancer.

How a Tanning Bed Works

Tanning beds contains a bright light called a ultraviolet light bulb; this particular light bulb is used due to its ability to create UV radiation. The UV radiation acts as the UV light which comes from the sun. According to Livestrong, the UVA rays stimulate melanocytes (cells in the lower skin layers) in order to produce a brown pigment called melanin. UVA are one of the many bulbs used in tanning beds. The strong UVA lights dive deep into the skin, reaching even below the protective layer (known as the epidermis) and down to the dermis. The UVA also have the ability to reach the blood vessels and nerves; this will ultimately have a tremendous effect on your immune system.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology approximately 7.9 million adult woman and 1.9 adult men use tanning beds in the United States. In 2010 the tanning industry was estimated to be making $2.6 billion.

Melanoma Cancer

Any and all forms of melanoma cancer starts out as melanocytes; melanocytes can also present in forms of moles, this is where melanoma will most likely first develop. Melanoma cancer is the deadliest and most common form of cancer. This type of cancer is separated into three categories: Cutaneous Melanoma, Mucosal Celanoma, and Ocular Melanoma.

Cutaneous Melanoma

Cutaneous Melanoma is the most common form of Melanoma cancer; it is cancer of the skin; this will include soles of feet, palms of hands, between toes and figures, and underneath the finger and toe nails. In the category of cutaneous melanoma alone there are six different categories.

Superficial Spreading Melanoma

According to the Melanoma Research Foundation, Superficial Spreading Melanoma makes up for 70% of all diagnosed melanoma. This form of melanoma may start out by looking like a freckle that grows sideways. The freckle may begin to itch, lighten, or darken overtime. Superficial Spreading Melanoma may also present itself as raised mole.

Nodular Melanoma

Although those of any age are capable of being diagnosed with Nodular Melanoma, it is most common in elderly men, mostly those 60 years or older.This form of melanoma is the by far the most aggressive form there is.

The appearance and presentation of Nodular Melanoma is part of what makes this form of melanoma so aggressive. It presents itself as a mole, but what makes this different from the others is that the mole tends to run deeper making it harder to pin point the progression.

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (ALM)

Although this form of melanoma only makes up 5% of all diagnosed melanoma, it is the most common melanoma found among those with dark skin. Most overlook Acral Lentiginous Melanoma due to its appearance; most of the time it appears as a bruise or a dark spot. Although it is very rare, some may even present itself as a dark spot under your fingernail or toenail, this is known as Subungaul Melanoma.

Acral Lentiginous may also develop on your mucus membranes inside your mouth or nose. Nose bleeds, stuffy nose, or a darkened mass inside the mouth all may be indicators of melanoma in the mucus membranes.

Lentigo Maligna Melanoma (LMM)

This form of melanoma may be mistaken as sun spots causing it to go undetected. It is mostly found to those middle-aged to the elderly who have been exposed to the sun.

Desmoplastic Melanoma (DM)

DM is found in those who have had extensive exposure to the sun or UV light (lights which are found in tanning beds). Desmoplastic Melanoma is part of cutaneous melanoma in which cells are surrounded by fibrous tissue.

Being the fact that Desmoplastic Melanoma are very hard to diagnose, make them extremely advanced and deep at the time of diagnoses.

How To Prevent Melanoma Cancer

Mayo Clinic points out many different ways to prevent Melanoma Skin Cancer:

• Avoid the sun during the middle of the day: The sun rays are strongest from 10am-4pm, Knowing this you can schedule your outside activities to take place before to after these times.
• Wear sunscreen all year round: You should apply sunscreen about every 2 hours. The sunscreen helps filter out some the harmful UV radiation.
• Wear protective clothing: Wearing protective clothing will further help protect you from the harmful UV rays. Sun glasses are a must!
• Avoid ALL tanning lamps and beds: Some say that tanning beds are worse than getting tan from the sun. It will defiantly increase your chances of cancer.
• Become familiar with your skin so that you can recognized changes: You want to be aware if a new freckle or mole comes up, as soon as you see one get it checked!

Sources

• articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/12/can-tanning-beds-decrease-cancer-than-cause.aspx
• articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/09/25/tanning-bed-causes-melanoma.aspx
• https://www.aad.org/media/stats/prevention-and-care
• http://www.livestrong.com/article/38197-tanning-beds-work/
• http://hotspottanning.com/tanning-basics-whats-the-difference-between-uva-and-uvb-rays/
• https://www.melanoma.org/sites/default/files/2016MelanomaFactSheet.pdf
• https://www.melanoma.org/understand-melanoma/what-is-melanoma
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/melanoma/basics/prevention/con-20026009