Tanning your hide

It’s safe to say that many Oregonians these days are sporting a pasty shade of white on their sun-deprived skin, especially compared to those living under the persistent blue skies of southern California and Hawaii. Although many of us have learned to accept this unfortunate reality, others often resort to the pathetic act of getting a fake shade of tan at the beauty salon.

Reality television shows—heck, the media in general—have given Americans the idea that in order to be attractive, a Jersey Shore-esque tan is a necessity.

Getting a tan is a real waste of money—money that could be spent on buying Jersey Shore DVDs, which would allow us to only look at fakeness rather than going out and becoming it.

Tanning at the salon is a completely unnecessary way to put yourself at risk for several health problems. Yes, our elders have been telling all of us since our early days in high school that we’re bound to develop skin cancer if we even step foot in the tanning salon. Well, they were right, and their constant hounding us really is because of their concerns about our health. At least when the sun is exposing you to ultraviolet radiation you’re also getting the benefits of Vitamin D exposure, which is now being referred to as the new Vitamin C.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, indoor tanners are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma than non-tanners. Have some crazy idea that you’re immune to skin cancer if the rays aren’t coming directly from the sun? Think again. In a study released by the University of Minnesota on skincancer.org, researchers found that “people who had tanned indoors for more than 50 hours (more than 100 sessions, or 10 or more years) were between 2.5 and 3.0 times more likely to develop melanoma than non-indoor tanners.”

Aside from that, it is not difficult for Portlanders to determine who has or hasn’t been hitting the tanning bed on a regular basis throughout the winter months. Unless you were one of the lucky few who took a vacation to a tropical paradise during winter break, it is quite obvious that the fake tan you spent a fortune on doesn’t appear as naturally sun-kissed as you might’ve hoped. I understand that the average Oregonian’s current state of paleness is probably not considered the most beautiful look in the world, but as the sun continues to peak its head out of the clouds more frequently, our skin will naturally be exposed to its powerful rays and thus will give us a decent amount of color, along with some much-needed Vitamin D.

If you are one of the unlucky folks, like me, who has skin that is more likely to burn than tan, perhaps it is time for us to take a look at ourselves and rethink what we consider to be so attractive. The idea of what is the most desirable skin color to possess is incredibly subjective, whereas being diagnosed with harmful diseases such as melanoma is an unfortunate and relatively likely outcome that many would agree is simply not worth it.

President Obama’s recently implemented “tanning tax” will add a ten percent tax on indoor tanning rates starting July 1 of this year; not surprisingly, devoted visitors of tanning salons are reconsidering where they spend their money. Even bronze queen Snooki was quoted saying that she isn’t going to tan anymore because of the ten percent increase. Although her supposed halt on fake tanning will probably be short-lived, if genuine at all, it is a start. Maybe this price increase will result in fewer people visiting the tanning salon, which might decrease the staggering number of melanoma cases that must be treated every year.

It’s time for us all to get our priorities straight and decide if wrinkles, skin cancer, and wasted money are all worth getting a little bit of color in a seriously harmful way, rather than obtaining a more natural look and a healthier amount of UV rays and Vitamin D from the sun’s natural rays. Be a true Oregonian—wear your pale with pride. ?