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Cooper Davis
Mr. Conrad
Expository English Period 5
1 May 2016
Cancer or Confidence?
Tan: (of a pale-skinned person or their skin) become brown or browner after exposure to
the sun. Tanning in todays society has become an extremely controversial topic due to a strong
emphasis on looks and a large growth of the beauty industry. With more research than ever
before proving and disproving that tanning is good or bad, its very hard to seek the truth. Many
believe tanning boosts a positive self image and that image is extremely important to young
women. While others would argue relying on and becoming addicted to tanning isnt worth the
risk of a positive self image. Supporters of tanning may say that tanning beds boost the economy
no matter who is using them while others argue that there are alternative safer ways to tan that
tanning salons should offer. Another debatable controversy is that some people believe that there
are many benefits that outweigh the risks of tanning such as skin cancer, while others argue that
skin cancer is much too threatening to consider other benefits.
Having a positive self image is argued to be one of the most important aspects of a
persons life. Someone with a negative body image has a distorted view of his or her body and
often feels shame and anxiety [along with] low self esteem and depression ("Topic Overview:
Body Image"). These negative views may prevent women from seeking new opportunities and
living a truly happy life. Tanning may help change these problems by promoting a positive selfimage. It is said someone with a positive body image has a real perception of his or her size or
shape and feels comfortable with his or her body ("Topic Overview: Body Image"). If woman

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have confidence in themselves theyre more likely to experience a happier life because theyre
not constantly concerned about their appearance. Shanina Shaik, an Australian model, states I'm
actually more confident when I'm tan (Shaik) and Nicole Polizzi, also known as Snooki from
the television show Jersey Shore, comments When you're tan, you feel better about yourself
(Polizzi). Even models and celebrities, who constantly have beauty enhancers at their fingertips,
agree tanning gives them confidence. Not only does tanning psychologically boost your
confidence but it physically does too. According to researchers, experiments in mice [revealed]
that ultraviolet radiation boosts blood of beta-endorphin, a natural, morphine-like painkiller
released by the brain that produces feelings of mild euphoria, a buzz like runner's high
(Kirkey). Many people look for a runner's high through different activities and tanning creates
a natural one with relatively little risk. Considering the positive mental boost and confidence
tanning brings people many would agree tanning leads to a lifetime of happiness and success.
Although tanning boosts confidence critics argue that this confidence can lead to
unhealthy habits. With tanning beds so readily at peoples fingertips people can become reliant
on this confidence boosting industry. One scientists argues that, chronic tanners meet the
psychiatric criteria for addictive behavior (Kirkey). Theoretically one can become addicted to
anything, but many argue becoming addicted to a habit that has potential health risks is
extremely dangerous. In an interview, Taylor Swift comments In high school, it seemed like
everybody cared about being tan all year round (Swift). This unhealthy idea of being tan all
year round is what begins the addiction. One problem is that 74% of high schools have a
tanning salon within two miles (Plenda). Young girls especially are influenced by their peers
and compare themselves constantly to each other. This is why so many girls feel the pressure to
tan which can be very unhealthy because they may become reliant on tanning beds to bring their

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confidence instead of building it on their own. This addiction can be explained by: frequent
[indoor] tanners exhibit signs of both physical and psychological dependence. When a substance
causes physical [dependence], repeated use of that substance causes symptoms of increased
tolerance, craving, and withdrawal. UV light has been shown to increase release of opioid-like
endorphins, feel-good chemicals that relieve pain and generate feelings of well-being, potentially
leading to dependency (Hornung). This unhealthy behavior can lead to a dependence of UV
rays to bring happiness to the tanner, which is similar to drug use. While some may argue tanning
brings a woman a sense of happiness, the woman is actually becoming dependent on UVs.
Although tanning beds may boost confidence in woman and bring a general sense of happiness
to their lives, becoming reliant on UVs can create a destructive pattern that could eventually
seriously harm them.
Another debatable subject on the topic of tanning is banning teens from tanning beds.
Supporters of tanning argue that the government should not be allowed to take away the rights of
adolescents to tan while critics argue that adolescents arent old enough to understand the risks
they are taking when they tan. Tanning beds are local businesses that should not be so extremely
regulated by the government. Just in El Dorado County alone, a population of 181,737 people,
there are 33 tanning salons. Supporters argue, [the] main issue is [the government is] taking
away rights from parents [by telling them] how to raise [their children] ("Some Seek
Guidelines"). Many parents believe that with parent consent their children should be allowed to
tan and the government should not be able to stop them. Another argument is that Politicians
talk about how important small businesses are to the economy. [However,] ... these same
politicians pass legislation that makes it harder and more costly to [run small businesses]
(Levin). Prohibiting every person who wants to tan under the age of 18 causes a severe dry spell

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in business considering young people are the main population of people who tan. While tanning
has its pros and cons with health risks, the business of tanning boosts the economy and helps
communities grow.
Although it is easy to say passing laws to prohibit youths from tanning is hurting local
businesses there are alternative, and some would argue, safer ways to tan that can be
implemented into communities and tanning salons. Some argue these alternatives [do not]
damage your skin or increase your likelihood of getting cancer (Wu). Without the negative
health risks these alternatives may provide a bright future for businesses. Tanning in a bed can
cause major destruction to your skin including wrinkling, broken blood vessels, blotchy brown
spots, and other signs of accelerated aging of the skin (Kirkey). Alternatives eliminate all these
negative and harmful effects of traditional UV tanning. In a study by Deirdre Imus the author
states, the active ingredient in most sunless tanners is dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, which reacts
with dead cells on the skins outermost layer to temporarily darken the skins appearance. DHA,
a sugar derived from plants like beets and sugarcane, was approved by the FDA for topical use
meaning applied as a cream in the 1970s (Imus). Researchers of self-tanners argue many
self-tannerscream, spray, or otherwisecontain harmful parabens, preservatives that can
affect the bodys hormone-producing endocrine system. Whats more, the chemical fragrances
used in these products commonly contain volatile organic compounds, which can cause allergies
and trigger asthma attacks (Imus). But With lotions, sprays, gels, and bronzers, there are an
innumerable amount of ways one can receive a fake tan. Whether or not people believe
alternative tanning products are safer or not they are an extra option for tanning salons and
minors who can not use the traditional UV tanning system.

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Although skin cancer is a key argument of why not to tan, many argue that the health
benefits of tanning outweigh the relative risk of getting skin cancer. Although indisputable,
whether outdoors in the sun or indoors, increases [the] risk of getting melanoma (Prom
Prep) this risk, some may argue, is much smaller than the many health benefits. Although UV
tanning has gotten much negative press the sun remains the bodys best and most potent
supplier of vitamin D. Among other health benefits, vitamin D has been shown to lower the risks
of diabetes, heart and kidney disease, and various types of cancer. When the body makes vitamin
D following UV light exposure, it is called vitamin D3 sulfate, and experts believe it provides
many more health benefits than unsulfated vitamin D3 supplements, which are taken orally
(Imus). Many may argue that instead of tanning people should just take vitamin D supplements
but clearly, experts believe the most potent way to receive vitamin D isthrough sunlight. Vitamin
D deficiency is on the rise and has been linked to cancers of the colon, breast, and prostate, as
well as osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, and hypertension. It is a widespread problem, owing to
the simple fact that human beings do not get as much sun exposure as we used to. And while the
risk of contracting melanoma remains, a recent study out of Norway concluded that the overall
health benefit of improving vitamin D levels by carefully increasing UV exposure might be more
important than the possibly increased risk of contracting melanoma (Imus). With all of these
health benefits it is hard to argue that the positives do not outweigh the negatives.
But with all this research on the positive health benefits of tanning, skin cancer also needs
to be considered. Dermatologist Christine Fellingham says that tanning beds can increase
[ones] risk of skin cancer by fifty-nine percent (Fellingham) which many would argue is a
considerable amount. A study by Centers for Disease Control and and Prevention states indoor
tanning can cause skin cancers including melanoma (the deadliest type of skin cancer), basal cell

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carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation also can cause
cataracts and cancers of the eye (ocular melanoma). All these forms of cancers and diseases are
extremely dangerous and need to be considered when debating the pros and cons of tanning.
Another study by the American Cancer Society states about 3.5 million cases of basal and
squamous cell skin cancer are diagnosed in this country each year. Melanoma, a more dangerous
type of skin cancer, will account for more than 73,000 cases of skin cancer in 2015. A large
number of these cases are due to indoor and outdoor tanning.
In conclusion, tanning, whether indoor or outdoor, is an extremely debatable topic. Some
aspects that need to be considered are: the positive self image tanning creates, the addictive
pattern tanning can create, the effect tanning has on youth and the economy, and the health risks
and benefits of tanning. After considering the numerous pros and cons of tanning, one can agree
that each side in the debate has strong evidence and that each person is entitled to their own
opinions on the subject. If someone is considering tanning, doing some more research to come to
a decision they are comfortable with is recommended whether it is alternative tanning or UV.

Works Cited
Bowean, Lolly. "Tanning Salon Owners Cry Foul on New Age Rule." Chicago Tribune. 20 Jun.
2012:
1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 26 Mar. 2015.

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Christi, Andrew. "7 Ways to Look Slimmer." Weight Watchers. Weight Watchers International,
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Indoor Tanning Restrictions For Minors." National Conference of State Legislatures. N.p., n.d.
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Huffington Post. Ed. Robert Levin. Huffington Post, 8 Apr. 2012. Web. 25
Mar. 2015.

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Plenda, Melanie. "Study: Indoor Tanning Is a Risk for Skin Cancer." Union Leader (Manchester).
23
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