1. Indoor Tanning: The Skin Deep Reality
Michelle Tedder
Opinion Writing COM 3363
10/06/14
“It won’t happen to me.” That’s what women of all ages think when they step into a
tanning bed and risk serious consequences. Unfortunately, for one High Point University student,
this did not prove to be true.
Senior Summer Tonsfeldt came face to face with these consequences just a few short
years ago. “On June 27, 2012, a doctor found melanoma on the back of my neck, and it
completely changed my view on tanning,” said Summer.
What appeared to be a slightly deformed freckle turned out to be something much more
severe than Summer expected; and after its removal, she quickly changed her tanning habits.
“Not only did I immediately stop going to the tanning bed, but I warned my friends against the
harmful effects of UV rays as well. Now we all go to get spray tans together and we try not to
spend too much time in the sun,” said Summer.
Summer considers herself extremely lucky. Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin
cancer and it will take 10,000 lives this year alone. An astonishing 86 percent of all melanomas
are linked to exposure to ultraviolet rasy found in tanning beds. These statistics alone should be
enough to keep anyone from going to the tanning salon.
However, students here at HPU are still practicing unsafe tanning habits. In a poll of 100
female students on campus, 18 admitted to going to a tanning bed more than three times a
month year round.
Francis Clapt works at The Tan Line here in High Point, and as an employee at a tanning
salon and an avid tanner herself, she sees little wrong with indoor tanning. Francis explained that
“there are a lot of advertisements now about protecting your skin, but using a tanning bed isn’t
bad unless you burn yourself.”
Though she strongly believes that indoor tanning in doses is perfectly healthy, she has
noticed a definite increase in tanning alternatives. “Everyone is so much more health conscience
now, and we now have more spray tan customers than ever before,” said Francis .
Business seems to be going well for local tanning salons, but it is important to keep
students aware of the risks that come with that even glow. By spreading the word about the
harmful effects of tanning beds and suggesting alternatives, we can decrease the number of skin
cancer cases linked to indoor tanning. Spray tanning, self-tanners and a healthy amount of time
under the sun can give you the tan you desire without the scary side effects of indoor tanning.
So next time you’re heading to the tanning salon, think twice about how much that 15
minutes in a tanning bed is really costing you.