By now I’m sure everyone has heard the news about tanning beds officially being stamped as causing cancer. Its a story that the media has really got a hold over, and its been covered pretty much everywhere. With all the bashing of tanning beds that’s been going on, there’s one agency that’s decided its finally time to start fighting back.
The Indoor Tanning Association has now started a campaign to fight this negative image that is being portrayed by the media. Tanning has become big business these days, and they aren’t going to take all this negative publicity lightly. The ITA, founded in 1999, is a group that represents these thousands of indoor tanning manufacturers, distributors, facility owners and members from other supporting industries.
The ITA and their executive director John Overstreet insist that the media is shielding the public from the whole story. (apparently he means, all media accepting for Living in Shade, as his side of the story is getting out here).
As soon as the news about tanning beds and cancer hit the mainstream, Mr. Overstreet sprang into action. He immediately sent a letter to all ITA members assuring them that their will be a response to the media attack. The association then sent a alert to the New York Times entitled “Indoor Tanning Association Fights Back Against Media Hype over Tanning Beds.” They also took out a full page ad in the New York Times that ran in the next day’s edition. The ad stated their belief that tanning is no different then exposure to the sun by reading, “Indoor Tanning put in Same Category as Sunshine. Public Response: Duh.”
The ITA’s position is basically that indoor tanning is the exact same as being out in the sun. The rays that they have developed for the indoors are so similar to the sun’s natural rays that they come with the same inherent risks. I’ve got to say their argument is pretty convincing. “Ultraviolet rays are just like sunlight,” Overstreet says. “We’ve known this for years. It’s meant to be like sunlight. … This is a gross exaggeration. It’s almost laughable if you look at the headlines.”
That just seems to be the price you pay if you want to have that tan look that’s all the rage right now. Whether you do it inside or outside, your going to have the same risk factors. As with anything in life, it just comes down to balance. Moderation seems to be the key, anything done to excess can create severe problems. Maybe not as severe as in this case, which would ultimately be death, be severe none the less.
Spray tanning seems to be the method that is the least riskiest, but it also looks the worse in my opinion. There’s a downside to everything. Once again, I have to stress moderation. I don’t think an occasional short trip to the tanning salon is going to do anyone real harm. Much as the occasional short burst out side will not do you any real harm, and is in fact essential to keep up your levels of Vitamin D.
The mantra to follow I think is moderation. Don’t overdo tanning beds. If your going to be out in the sun for an extended period of time, wear sunscreen, protective hats, and sunglasses. It’s really fairly simple.
by DJMDE, on 08.10.09 @ 5:40 pm
Nice article. You say the risk is death but I don’t agree with that if you follow moderation guidelines. There is still not evidence linking moderate tanning to any type of death. Also with the spray tanning it still does not have FDA approval, don’t be to quick to call it the safe tan just because Dr.s push it. It has never been tested for breathing internally and it hasn’t been tested to be safe for any mucas membranes. Go only to reputable salons that supply you with ALL the neccessary protection. Tanning beds do have FDA approval and guidelines for exposure that have been approved.
Again I do like you article.
by Editor, on 08.11.09 @ 2:25 pm
Thanks alot, I appreciate it.
I was only saying death as a worst case scenario, and of course no worse case scenarios happen when you do it in moderation. All I was implying was to stress the fact that people do die from skin cancer every year. I do agree with you on the spray tanning point, I should say that at this time it looks like the safest alternative if you MUST HAVE that tan look. Its true we don’t know what the long term effects will be, and that in itself is scary.
I appreciate your insightful comment, and please keep coming back.
by Tommy Bahando, on 08.16.09 @ 10:49 am
I like to see them fighting back. Government bureaucracy’s have pushed people around for far too long.
They lose some of their anti-establishment cache for only being in it for the money, but their still fighting the government. Power to the tanners!