One thing is certain, summer is incomplete without the mention of tanning. And you’ll notice this in every other movie or TV series, too. Remember those initial scenes when the actors pop up with a magical glowing tan?

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Not according to science, which argues that melanin causes the skin to catch and/or release that dark color. So when a person lays under the sun (or inside a tanning bed, for that matter), expose themselves to UV light. This results in the production of melanin and endorphins which do get you that dark glow but also open you up to a myriad of risks.

If you want to err on the safe side, take a look at these tanning facts.

1. Leading Cause Of Skin Cancer

Tanning is considered to be one of the leading causes of skin cancer. This is because of excessive exposure to sun rays on the skin. It is reported that in the US, 419,254 cases of skin cancer are caused by tanning beds while 6,199 cases are melanoma. On top of that, you’d be surprised to know that around 1 million people use tanning beds every day in the US.

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2. Some US States Have Banned Indoor Tanning

It might be quick and efficient but indoor tanning is banned in multiple places. Some US states like Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey and countries like Austria, Finland, France, Belgium, Italy, Norway, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom have imposed an age restriction and do not allow minors to use tanning beds. Additionally, some countries/states have banned it altogether including Brazil and New South Wales.

3. Skin Cancer Is The Most Common Cancer

Out of all the cancers, skin cancer takes the cake for being the most common one, especially in the USA. It is estimated that one-in-five American citizens will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The only way to reduce the risk is to avoid tanning booths, lying in the sun for prolonged time periods, wearing sun-protective clothing, and wearing sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.

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Nothing is more important than your well-being and these facts are telling you just that.

Helen Hayward