To Those Who Continue to Tan:
I urge you to reflect on your choices. What compels you to risk your health for the sake of a tan? Please articulate your reasoning for choosing tanning beds or opting for tanning accelerators over sunscreen. Is the allure of a bronzed complexion truly worth the scars, gouges, and craters that often result from a series of biopsies and surgeries?
I’ll wait.
Nothing to say? Allow me to clarify a few points for you.
Firstly, you may have skin that tans easily, leading you to believe that you are immune to the dangers of skin cancer. You might think, “I don’t burn; I just tan.” But skin cancer is indiscriminate. It can affect anyone—your friends, family, and even the cashier selling you that tanning lotion. The notion that only pale individuals with freckles are at risk is a dangerous myth. You are not exempt from melanoma, squamous, or basal cell carcinoma.
Perhaps you believe that skin cancer is not “real” cancer. You might have heard someone dismiss it as such, but make no mistake: it is cancer. When you hear about someone experiencing skin cancer, remember that it still carries significant health risks.
You might claim, “I don’t have any moles,” but that too is a misconception. Skin cancer can manifest in many forms, not just through dark, noticeable moles. For instance, squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a flat sore or even be mistaken for dry skin. I have personally experienced three basal cell carcinoma surgeries without ever noticing the spots myself.
If you prefer outdoor tanning to tanning beds, you’re still exposed to harmful UV rays. Just because the sun is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe.
If you’ve already had a spot removed and continue to tan, I won’t judge, but I urge you to reconsider. I spent 15 years in tanning beds and pursued outdoor tanning before I was diagnosed with melanoma in 2007. That marked the end of my tanning habits, but the battle continued. Over the past decade, I have endured three surgeries for basal cell carcinoma and multiple treatments for precancerous spots, including Efudex, a topical chemotherapy.
Here’s the reality: precancerous spots keep appearing, and I’m currently undergoing treatment for them again, this time on my face. It’s a relentless struggle, and I made the decision to stop tanning and embrace a rigorous sunscreen routine ten years ago.
I know you believe a tan makes you look healthier, but let’s reframe that. If you reject the myth that only tan skin is beautiful, you’ll not only improve your own health but also contribute to a culture less obsessed with superficial beauty.
You are still you with or without a tan. The prospect of lying on a surgeon’s table in the future is far less appealing than basking in the sun with a fake tan.
The information is available, and there are many who have learned these lessons the hard way. Please, take our collective advice: it’s not worth it.
To summarize, here’s what you need to do:
- Stop tanning immediately.
- Invest in sunscreen and apply it daily.
- Schedule regular dermatologist visits.
- Perform self-examinations for unusual skin changes. If something looks odd, make an appointment. Even your general practitioner can conduct a biopsy, as mine did when my melanoma was discovered.
- Educate others. Teach your loved ones to appreciate their natural skin and to use sunscreen consistently. Telling a child to wear sunscreen while you tan is contradictory and sends mixed messages.
So, are you ready to reconsider your tanning habits?
Let’s say it together: Tanning is not worth the risks. Be wise.
Sincerely,
Someone Who Learned the Hard Way
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