The popular (risky) guilty pleasure

Tanning—many young women’s guilty pleasure. For as long as tanning beds have been popular, they have caused controversy. Indoor tanning beds have scared people away since their short fame in The Final Destination scene where two girls were burned alive. Those of us that decide to ignore that lingering fear of searing our skin off constantly have the cons of tanning beds in the back of our minds.
 
Like most activities, tanning has its pros and cons.
Positives to using indoor tanning beds include increased Vitamin D for our skin, a base tan for sun exposure, and feeling overall more attractive. Vitamin D is vital for healthy bones and skin, and the majority of our country is deficient in this vitamin. The sun is a source of Vitamin D, but it is unlikely that you will sunbathe outside in January or February. Also, many people use tanning beds to gain that base tan before a vacation to make sure that they won’t burn when their skin is exposed to natural sunlight. People that are tan generally feel more attractive. Tanning can lead to clearer skin and a natural glow during the cold winter months.
 
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f course tanning has its fair share of cons as well. Ultraviolet radiation streams from tanning beds, and can lead to eye damage if protective eyewear is not used. Also, ultraviolet rays can lead to a greater risk of skin cancer- the biggest risk of using tanning beds. For those of us with tattoos, make sure to cover them up before you get into a tanning bed because they are known for lightening tattoos after moderate exposure. The most immediate negative to using tanning beds is the cost. Monthly packages cost upwards of twenty dollars a month, and even more if you are paying per tan. Think about what you could do with that extra twenty dollars every month. For a broke college student, that is a lot of money to throw away.
 
Do the pros outweigh the cons? Are you willing to take the risk to look like a bronze goddess year round? That decision is up to you!