However almost all teens don't know the dangers of getting a tan from a tanning bed, sure it does give your body a source of vitamin D; which in the winter we dont have much. However it could
cause a type of skin cancer called melanoma. Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes. The melanocytes are cells that are in your skin, melanoma tumors are often brown or black. But they can also be pink, tan, or even white. Melanoma most often starts on the chest or back in men and on the legs of women, but it can start in other places, too. Melanoma can be cured if caught in early stages as it could spread quickly.
British Columbia has now decided to pass a new law in the fall about teens using tanning beds, the law states that if you are under 18 you may not use a tanning bed unless directed by a doctor. Many people are upset by the new law as they think that it should be okay for a young teen to use a tanning bed if the parent gives his/her consent. Kathleen Barnard is victim of melanoma cancer, she admitted that when she was younger she was addicted to getting that golden look to her skin, however after many surgeries and treatments she believes that you should be happy in your skin. She says ""I know now I would rather be alive with the skin I was given than die with the skin I so desperately wanted to have," This statement is true, why would you want to have a tan and be diagnosed with skin cancer then be alive and living life in your own beautiful skin?
The law that is being passed in the fall is a good law to have, Nova Scotia has already passed a law saying that: No one under the age of 19 may get a fake tan using a tanning bed. Doctors and the government are smart getting the law passed as soon as possible because getting a fake tan can improve your chance of getting melanoma by 75% as teens and young adults skin isnt as strong as adults. The city of Victoria also has their own law already that doesnt allow teens to get tans using tanning beds and it is about time that British Columbia has also banned them. However there is still the argument that going outside to the beach or the park and getting tanned is the same thing as going to a tanning salon. When people go outside they are aware of the illnesses caused by the sun so they are more likely to protect them selves with sunscreen or sun tanning lotion, but when young teens go to salons they think that they are protected when they aren't.
If you still want that glowing golden look there are safer ways to get one, try getting a spray tan, it may not stay for as long but at least your chance of getting skin cancer is reduced drastically.
**sorry for my post being so late, i thought i had posted it earlier but i accidentaly saved it in my drafts instead**
here are my sources :
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/03/20/bc-tanning-bed-ban.html
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/03/20/bc-latest-jurisdiction-to-ban-teen-tanning-bed-use
http://www.cancer.ca/canada-wide/about%20cancer/types%20of%20cancer/what%20is%20melanoma.aspx
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-Melanoma/OverviewGuide/melanoma-skin-cancer-overview-what-is-melanoma
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