What do you think about tanning?
--Specifically, tanning beds and teenagers.
Do you think they should be allowed to tan, despite the risks?

Originally Posted by CNN

Melanoma affects the deepest layer of the skin and poses dangers because it spreads rapidly. Since 1992 it has been increasing by 3% each year in women between the ages of 15 and 39.

I'm not sure where I stand on this topic, on one hand, I don't like seeing young people tan--it's terrible for your skin and increases skin cancer risks...But on the other I don't like the government telling me what I can and can't do. But I suppose if people (even teenagers) are informed and choose to ignore it, that its their fault.

Skin cancer- not good. I always use fake tan or gradual tan moisturiser. Like smoking people are aware of the risks but still smoke. Sunbeds are no different. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.

Originally Posted by una

Skin cancer- not good. I always use fake tan or gradual tan moisturiser. Like smoking people are aware of the risks but still smoke. Sunbeds are no different. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.

Yeah, but kids can't legally buy cigarettes.
Do you think that tanning beds should be the same--no kids allowed?

Never really understood tanning.
For one, yeh, the risks and all- maybe someone can think they're making a good choice now, but they don't know who they are/how they will be at 40, 50 or 60 years old when the melonoma and sagging sets in.

But also....I don't know. I think I've made it pretty clear I live in a neighborhood full of sort of uneducated lower class/lower income white people, and they sort of represent the troll heart of America in their attitudes and decisions, ie. smoking while pregnant, smoking in front of their kids, teaching convict code and that stealing is ok to their kids, teaching racist and sexist and homophobic beliefs to their kids etc....

so. I hear a lot of these trashy white women who are -totally- racist saying derogatory things at blacks, hispanics, asians, anyone not them, basically. But then, they go to the tanning parlor and try hard to make themselves darker. It looks utterly foolish, because this isn't a beach community, so there's no real reason or motivation to be tanned; these are people who are dissing dark skinned people and then dishing out what little money they have that they should be spending on food and education for their kids to make themselves look dark.

It doesn't make any sense to me, IMO.

I like tanning either out being active or in a bed but I do use sunscreen(SPF4).

I don't tan...I have very naturally fair skin as is typical for red-heads and my skin is very sensitive to chemicals and whatnot. Spray on tans irritate me, the sun burns me twice as fast as a normal person and I don't really want the tan enough to lay in a tanning bed. As far as other things, I do not think children should be allowed to use tanning beds because they are to young to understand the risks, but it should be alright for adults because they know what's going on and it's their choice.

I do think that because of the risks that one should have to be a legal adult to tan. But the again someone could just sit out in the sun at any age so it's kind of pointless to enforce such laws. I think that it should be a law to make people aware of risks with any product that a company sells though.

I think subed tanning should be banned for those under 18 with out question, it's hideously damanging and in my opinon I think it should be banned totally, but I know logically this will never happen.
I don't see why anyone would want to tan this way, there are so many other non damaging options, like moisturisers with fake tan in (that do really work whilst caring for your skin) heck there's even spray tans!
I tihkn in a way people woh use sunbeds fully deserve what is coming to them. It's at their own risk and they know the dangers, whether they chose to continue or not is their foolish decision.

Originally Posted by monstahh`

Yeah, but kids can't legally buy cigarettes.
Do you think that tanning beds should be the same--no kids allowed?

The keyword being legal. Kids still smoke, drink, take drugs and other things generally bad for their health. People don't necessarily have to go to a tanning salon to get a tan. Parents or older siblings can own sunbeds which younger children can have access to, plus just plain old sun bathing can cause skin cancer. I think you could put a ban in place but people would just flaunt it. Perhaps a ban with an educational campaign would help dissuade folks but like I said you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink...

Originally Posted by monstahh`

Yeah, but kids can't legally buy cigarettes.
Do you think that tanning beds should be the same--no kids allowed?

If they want to deal with skin damage and premature aging all while fretting if they'll get skin cancer...:feesh:

I could back a ban on the use of tanning beds by minors.

If nothing else, it would help highlight the risks. Virtually everyone knows that smoking causes cancer, but tanning? It's not widely regarded as dangerous.

I think that tanning beds in general should be abolished. They are so bad for your skin and general health I see no benefit in them even still being used. Most people know the risks that come with them, and I really have no sympathy for those who continue to use them. Tanning beds are nothing but sources of skin damage and cancer. Apart from the obvious health risks, they also make you age prematurely, which no woman wants.

Spray tans on the other hand, I have no problem with at all. If someone wants to use them, that's fine. They are the much safer option, and I have slightly more respect for people who use spray tans rather than tanning beds.

But all in all, I can't abide fake tans of any sort and I don't use them.

I think it's highly unnecessary. I mean in the ways of artificial tanning. I enjoy laying out by my pool with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other, getting my tan on. but seeing all these young kids with the darkest tan of their lives in the middle of winter, is ridiculous.