Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer Essay -- Medical Medicine Papers

Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer What is UV radiation? Before one can discuss harmful effects of tanning equipment and increased sun exposure, one must be familiar with the components of ultraviolet light and how affects the skin. Sunlight contains two types of ultraviolet (UV) light: UVA and UVB. UVA rays consist of longer wavelengths that penetrate deep into the dermal layer of skin. Limited exposure to UVA rays causes skin to tan; however, most experts agree that overexposure to UVA can lead to other long-term skin damage. UVB rays’ wavelengths are much shorter, affecting the outermost layers of skin. UVB rays are known as the "burning rays" and are considered more dangerous. Tanning beds and sun lamps generally emit 93% to 99% UVA radiation increasing the benefits of a tan This is three times the UVA radiation given off by the sun (http://www.wraltv.com/features/healthteam/1998/0520-sunscreen/). What’s the difference between a tan and sunburn? It is also important to know what happens to the skin as it is tanned or burned and what the long-term, harmful effects may be. UVB rays are most responsible for a skin’s burning. The rays actually pop the capillaries just beneath the surface of the skin (http://www.cybermall2000.com/stones/tanning/index.html). Long-wavelength, UVA rays have totally different results on the skin. As UVA rays penetrate into the skin, melanin granules are oxidized and tan, or, turn golden brown. However, UVB rays are required to stimulate these melanin granules to rise to the skin’s surface, especially in skin that possesses small amounts of the pigment, melanin (http://www.shop.net/suncity/). What makes tanning beds safer? Most tanning bed industries agree that indoor ... ...A ‘sun-bed.’ British Journal of Dermatology 1982; 107: 275-284. Kennedy, M., Kim, K., Harten, B., Brown, J., Planck, S., Meshul, C.,Edelhauser, H., Rosenbaum, J.T., Armstrong, C.A., & Ansel, J.C. (1997). Ultraviolet Irradiation Induces the Production of Multiple Cytokines by Human Corneal Cells. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. Sept, 1997, Vol. 3, No. 10. Bolseman, C., Beitner, H., Jansson, B., Nilsson, B., &Ullen, H. (1996). Sunbed use in relation to phenotype, erythema, sunscreen use and skin diseases. A questionnaire survey among Swedish adolescents. British Journal of Dermatology 1996; 135: 712-716. Douglass, H.M., McGee, R., & Williams, S. (1997). Sun behavior and perceptions of risk for melanoma among 21-year old New Zealanders. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 21(3): 329-334. (abstract).