| Tanning beds are for those of us who want to get a | | | | implements still certainly exists. |
| tan without going to the beach, or to sunny places, | | | | And these risks already apply to you if you are an |
| where we have to lie in the sun for days on end just | | | | adult. How much riskier could it be for children? |
| to get the kind of tan we want. There's also a chance | | | | Children have more delicate bodies. They are generally |
| we won't get a relatively even tan if we trust the | | | | more susceptible to the invasion of foreign substances |
| sunlight available to all manner of creatures outdoors, | | | | such as diseases and radiation; exposure to harmful |
| and not the comfort of an indoor tanning salon! | | | | things for an extended period of time is sure to cause |
| But there are a few risks to using tanning beds and | | | | adverse reactions, faster than if they had the stronger, |
| other artificial tanning devices, such as sun lamps. | | | | tougher bodies of adults. A child is at a much higher |
| Instead of getting a tan in an outdoor environment | | | | risk of contracting skin cancer than an adult. If possible, |
| where sunlight is diffused and possibly also shaded, | | | | children should be warned against staying away from |
| you can get a tan indoors by exposing yourself directly | | | | habitually staying in the sunlight after 10 AM, or staying |
| to ultraviolet rays at close range. A bed would require | | | | inside a room where a tanning bed is located and |
| you to lie still for a few hours while special | | | | being used on a regular basis. |
| low-radiation tanning bulbs burn a luscious bronze color | | | | Kids may be naturally curious about the tanning |
| onto the surface of your skin. The same principle | | | | process and wish to experiment with it themselves. |
| applies to sun lamps and portable tanning implements. | | | | Even if they seek the supervision and consent of |
| But even if bulbs are only low-radiation, they are not | | | | adults, it is best not to let them try indoor tanning until |
| 100% radiation-free. If you happen to have sensitive | | | | they reach adult age, and their bodies are no longer so |
| skin, constant exposure even to low radiation will | | | | vulnerable. However, this may be difficult if you have a |
| cause complications, ranging from simple itchiness and | | | | particularly looks-conscious child on your hands. |
| blotching to melanoma, which is the most severe form | | | | Adolescence is a tricky thing. The sooner one looks |
| of skin cancer. Liberal use of suntan lotion with the right | | | | good the better, and if tanning beds appear to be the |
| SPF for the kind of bed or bulbs you are using - as | | | | best way to get the kind of look that your budding |
| they are usually classified by lighting strength - would | | | | teenager is gunning for, some extra vigilance may be |
| normally keep these risks at bay, but the dangers of | | | | required. |
| developing skin problems through overuse of tanning | | | | |