Many tanning salons and gyms that offer tanning have certainly promoted that it is not only safe, but is a good way to get vitamins and nutrients into your skin. The fact is though, they know, and we know, indoor tanning beds are not the sun, and are not, necessarily healthy for us.

Most traditional tanning beds have what look like fluorescent bulbs on the top and the bottom. These UV beds are, without question, not good for our skin. For the sake of argument I will say, when used excessively, these type beds are not good for our skin. If you are starting to take on a bronze glow or look like a carrot, that would be a sign that you would need to take a break from the ultra-violet rays and let your skin heal and regenerate. Experts say that a tiny bit of UV is needed to stimulate melanin production, which in turn helps us tan. The amount needed and the amount given though are galaxies apart. Conventional indoor tanning beds give far more UV than needed and this can extremely not only harmful to your skin but also potentially damaging to the elastin. Because UV rays penetrate deeper than the sun, the elastin fibers of your skin are affected and damaged.

So, although we tan now to look better what we are doing to our skin now will make it look older, more wrinkled and leathery in the very near future. I know many of us are under the impression that tanned fat is better than pasty white fat, but that may not be the case. Body bronzers, sunless tanning sprays and a little cardiovascular exercise may be a safer alternative to the harmful affects of UV rays. So, the next time you have twenty minutes to kill and think of hitting a tanning bed for a quick glow, try taking a brisk walk instead. You’ll not get a nice healthy, real, glow, but you’ll also be doing something good for your body and burning some fat in the process. Remind yourself that the healthy glow is not healthy and will not glow for long. Also, picture yourself in five, ten and fifteen years. All that damage from the sun, UV rays ands environmental stress will not be pretty. Think long and hard about that, and choose a healthier alternative. If you have any doubts, check out skin Cancer websites. They are more than happy to give you all the facts, figures and details you would need to make a safer choice.

There is also evidence that using indoor tanning beds used, without the use of eye protection can result in long term damage to your retinas. Many indoor salons have begun requiring eye protection and also have information on retina damage. The result from the UV rays without protection is direct loss of seeing crisp, clear color.

So when the question comes up. To tan or not to tan? Go for a walk instead.