Why tanning can be good for you!

[Bonnie]

We all know that tanning can raise the risk of skin cancer for people who might be prone. Having said that, there are numerous ways in which sun and UV exposure has positive health benefits. I'm too lazy to search out the old threads on this, so I thought I'd ask people to contribute what they have learned of the positive aspects of tanning. And if you have a link to some good health websites, please post them!

[Tpsyduck]

First is the Obvious to me, the boost of self-esteem I get personally when I'm tan.. I just feel better about myself that it keeps me tanning

[Bonnie]

Definitely self-esteem and feelings of well-being; I think that might be what hooked me on tanning years ago. Given that winter has hit, I know many people suffer from SADD and I've noticed it a bit in the last year or so too, which is why I ALWAYS try to take a beach vacation in the winter. I thought of this thread because of the low Vitamin D issue, which is increasingly recognized as quite serious.

[Val]

For me it really helps with SAD. Tanning this year has really helped keep the winter blahs at bay

[boobrandt]

it's fun! i love finding out about new products, trying new stuff-lotions and beds. and i love the way my body looks tanned!

[Summers Tan]

Besides everything else already posted,helps me to keep break outs at bay.

[divabutterfly]

Yeah, tanning helps my face stay clear too. Also it makes me moisturize, since I started tanning I've been really good to my skin, I used to be sooo lazy about moisturizing. Now with all the lotions I use I receive a lot of nutrients from them!

[rocker-tan]

I have much higher self-esteem now that I'm tan. It feels really good to get compliments on how good my tan is. I also take much better care of my skin now as well. I exfoliate and moisturize!

[tan0h0lic]

i would say tanning DEFINETLY helped me with my self esteem..i feel better bronzed, not pasty...it can help treat SAD like you all have said, and i read somewhere that it san prevent osteoperosis since uv light helps the bones produce vitamin D! so there ya go!

[Mrc4608]

tanning is a personal choice. many people have different reasons for tanning. as long as it's done in moderation and your skin is looking healthy---go for it!

[Bonnie]

Well I just think tanning is about the coolest thing there is!

[tan0h0lic]

i agree! its great to sit in a toasty bed on a cold day! its also a great way to waste time if your bored

[RydeTheLTRAIN]

I've been depressed latley, and it helps perk me up for a few. Especialy since it is so grey outside.

[david]

it's always helps with my depressive swings and most definitely gives me confidence! i also love the relaxation and sensation of 20 minutes under heat. it's meditative.

[southerntan]

it's a GREAT stress reliever for me.........i use those 20 min to recharge

[cupcake65]

me too

[LucaBella]

for me tanning is a good thing because I have alopecia and it is a iummune problem, where my white blood cells attack my hair cells, anyway, tanning supresses the immune system (which sounds bad I guess) and because of this my hair grows , so for me it rocks! lol

[SexyKitty]

I like to tan to relax and get the color from it. It makes me feel good. I like how I look with a tan!

[MusTAnG86Tx]

Skin cancer has also been linked to bad eating habits.

[RoxyCCS]

Vitamin D, Vitamin D yeah!!

[erinmacaroni]

I'm hyperactive, and it helps me relax, maybe take a lil' nap, and look and feel great afterwards. Even if its all in my head I LOVE TANNING.

OH and I have a 2 year old. The only thing I pretty much get to do by myself anymore is when I'm driving to and from work, taking a shower (most of the time I'm by myself), and tanning. So its a nice little get-a-way.

[SassyKat]

Looking good and feeling good. Those are my reasons to tan. Also 20 minutes of total relaxation and privacy.

[wannatan]

Rich in vitamin D? Research has shown that tanning helps people gain positive mental health. Indoors tanning shows better results and control on your skin and is good skin practice for preparing it for outdoors sun-tanning. Can be a form of relaxation. Makes your skin look healthier, and generally is seen as more attractive.

[Dixiegal]

I have my own bed at home and have had for years and I had never read the book that came with it up until a year or so ago. It states that tanning indoors will help arthritis, help with your sexual drive, and alot of other health issues. Frankly, its never helped my sex drive, But as far as my back and muscles when I ache, it sure makes them feel better, Especially when I let it get HOT!

[Bonnie]

I think it helps sexual drive!

[ladyboss]

All of the above and it also helps with menstual cramps

[Eric@Riviera]

"Calling a tan damage to your skin is like calling exercise damage to your muscles" (Smarttan.com) Tanning also lowers blood pressure and helps with serotonin-->SADD. Researchers are also trying to find the link, for prevention, of the pro-vitamin D entering the body turning into vitamin D and the prevention of cancers in the breast and colon (there are two others I can't remember at this time). Tanning is just a matter of moderation.

[Tpsyduck]

Yep, I definitely love the relaxation benefeits from it since I do a light meditation when I tan!
Nice post Eric, and Kudos to all of the above posts!

[Bonnie]

Quote:
On 2004-01-23 01:51, Eric@Riviera wrote:
"Calling a tan damage to your skin is like calling exercise damage to your muscles" (Smarttan.com) Tanning also lowers blood pressure and helps with serotonin-->SADD. Researchers are also trying to find the link, for prevention, of the pro-vitamin D entering the body turning into vitamin D and the prevention of cancers in the breast and colon (there are two others I can't remember at this time). Tanning is just a matter of moderation.



Excellent!

[ladyboss]

POSITIVE AFFECTS OF THE SUN

REDUCED SYMPTOMS OF PMS

Exposure to bright sunlight has been found to help alleviate some symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome, such as mild depression and mood swings, irritability, physical discomfort and social withdrawal.

JET LAG PREVENTION

Doses of sunlight or simulated sunlight timed carefully upon arrival in a new time zone can reset your body’s biological clock resulting in less daytime drowsiness and better quality night time sleep.

REDUCTION IN FREQUENCY OF COMMON COLDS

These symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, and muscle aches. A 10-20 minute exposure to ultraviolet light one to three times a week results in a reduction of frequency of common colds up to 40.3%.

CONTROLS OBESITY

Sunlight, or simulated sunlight, stimulates the thyroid gland which boosts your metabolism.

NATURE’S SKIN PROTECTION

It is commonly known that our natural tanning process provides protection against burning. Unlike some sunscreens, a tan provides reliable full spectrum UVA/UVB protection against burning. Your natural tan provides protection that does not rub, sweat or wear of the way sunscreen protection can.

PREVENTION OF SOME CANCERS

People who live in regions with more sunlight, such as New Mexico and Arizona, are known to have lower incidence of death from ovarian, breast and colon cancers than those who live in places with less sunlight, such as New Hampshire and Vermont.

HELPS CONTROL SEASONAL DEPRESSION

Many more people, both old and young, spend more than 23 hours of their 24 hour day indoors. Over the last decade, studies at the national institute of mental health have produced evidence that the shortage of sunlight during winter produces clinical depression in millions of people. Exposure to sunlight or simulated sunlight for 10-20 minutes once or twice a week shows a 70% improvement in patients with seasonal affected disorder (sad). Light treatment is the only known cure for the "winter blues".

INCREASES SEX DRIVE

When the chest and back are exposed to sunlight, the male sex hormones may increase by up to 120%.

REDUCES FATIGUE

Various laboratory tests and on-site studies have shown that UV-inclusive light helps workers reduce fatigue and accidents and dramatically increases productivity. Normal fluorescent lighting actually increases fatigue and drains the body of energy and vitamin A.

REDUCES STRESS

Sunlight exposure decreases adrenaline and noradrenalin levels for an anti-stressing effect and releases endorphins for the feeling of "well-being".

[xexoticnessx]

self-esteem is the major reason why i go! i feel so much more confident and sexy. also it gives more vitamin D. i just love tanning:) lol its as simple as that

[Summers Tan]

Great info,ladyboss!!Thanx!

[lisadd82]

I tan to relax and look good, Tanning is basically the only alone time i get because i have a 20 month old son that is such a mommys boy he is where ever i am ... I love it though but yeah definatly to relax..

[SnowAngel]

I am going to print this out and show it to my husband. He thinks tanning is only negative!

[ladyboss]

Quote:
On 2004-11-18 10:51:00, SilverThunder04 wrote:
I am going to print this out and show it to my husband. He thinks tanning is only negative!

I hope it helps

[SnowAngel]

Quote:
On 2004-11-18 10:53:00, ladyboss wrote:
Quote:
On 2004-11-18 10:51:00, SilverThunder04 wrote:
I am going to print this out and show it to my husband. He thinks tanning is only negative!

I hope it helps

Me too.

[Denisa]

I always feel so self confidient whenever I get done tanning..its gotta be something with the rays

[LucyLinda]

This is what I found:


Benefits Of Tanning

Sunlight is essential to life.

Tanning is a natural response to the skins exposure to 'ultra-violet' light.

'Ultra-violet' light can provide positive health benefits, both physical and psychological such as:-

Alleviating the discomfort associated with Rheumatism and Arthritis.

With the relaxing warm effect of sunbed treatments this can also help stress and soothe muscular aches and pains.

Exposure to UV light helps to improve certain skin conditions such as Psoriasis, Eczema and Acne.

Calcium deposition in bones is improved.

The production of Vitamin D3 is increased.

Tanning from a solarium does provide some limited skin protection against burning.

The main potential danger from 'ultra-violet' light arises from excessive burning, not tanning.

Sunbeds provide a tan under conditions where, unlike in natural Sunlight, the individual UV exposure is controlled in 2 respects, specifically in order to avoid burning -

The proportion of UVB is lower than in natural sunlight.

The length of a sunbed session is limited.

Dermatologists have stated clearly that proper regular use of sunbeds throughout the year is much safer than an annual 2 week sun-binge on the Costa Del Sol.

There is no proof that use of sunbeds have ever caused skin cancer.

The concern of medical and scientific experts centres around home use of sunbeds throughout the year, where there is no regulation.

Research in the United States of America claims that regular consistent tanning actually reduces the risk of the dangerous form of cancer Melanoma.


There is more on this page: http://www.beach-hut.com/benefitstanning.htm

[Bonnie]

Thank you; this should help counter the stuff put out by the anti-tanning zealots.

[scaredgirl]

Well as everybody UV helps me to feel more confident about my self no depress...

In my saloon web page we have a section that gives u everything about the benefits of UV here is a few of them:

Acne
Psoriasis
Inmunne system
Osteoporosis
Arthritis
Depression

http://www.btan.com.mx/preguntas.htm (spanish)

[LucyLinda]

Very cool information scaredgirl! From which part of mexico are you?

[scaredgirl]

Quote:
On 2004-11-18 20:40:00, Loozy9 wrote:
Very cool information scaredgirl! From which part of mexico are you?


Thanks Loozy9 Im From Monterrey

[christamarie]

Excellent info. Joanne!

Personally what tanning does for me:
It boosts my self esteem!
I look better in clothes, and brighter colors.
My skin looks better, and I never have to wear foundation. I have no acne, because my skin isn't oily.
The endorphins that are released during my session, makes me happier.
I look leaner and more defined.
And of course, the relaxation. It is like my therapy session, takes all the stress away.

_________________
[ This Message was edited by: christamarie on 2004-11-19 18:11 ]

[Bonnie]

I just think tanning rocks!

[Misty]

This is an awesome thread

[wraxa]

Tanning relaxes me and makes me feel pretty.

[angela]

wow..we need to have thses things in magazines..like 17,vogue,cosmo..so ppl will stop dogging tanning!!!

[TanMeg]

Quote:
On 2004-04-10 08:24:00, ladyboss wrote:

JET LAG PREVENTION

Doses of sunlight or simulated sunlight timed carefully upon arrival in a new time zone can reset your body’s biological clock resulting in less daytime drowsiness and better quality night time sleep.





I'm flying tomorrow for a Thanksgiving vacation - I'll definately tan tomorrow morning! That's a fun fact

[tanbrownhunnie]

self esteem...any boost is ALWAYS GOOD

[BeautifulDisaster]

I def. think I felt a lot better while I had some color to me.

[ucsdblonde]

I always feel better about myself and I break out less when I am tanning regularly.

[racecardriver]

I found that I enjoy going becuase there are a couple of really cool people that work at the salon I go to. They have a real cute girl working there that is always so happy and always has a big smile on her face all the time. The guy who works there is cool, too. We always get talking about cars or wheels for cars, etc. It's fun to go hang out there for a half hour or so just to chat with everyone.

[wannatan]

Quote:
On 2004-11-20 16:32:00, angela wrote:
wow..we need to have thses things in magazines..like 17,vogue,cosmo..so ppl will stop dogging tanning!!!

Yeah, it's ironic they don't considering half the women that model or feature in the magazines are tanned.

My main reason for tanning to be beneficial at the moment is its combat against Winter Blues. I am providing myself a sufficient amount of UV type sunlight that I will be otherwise deprived of. This should keep my mental health positive. And a healthy mind is very important.

:: [X] ::

[inactive_offense]

I think tanning is great when in moderation.

[pinayxmodel]

Quote:
On 2004-11-27 08:40:00, wannatan wrote:
Quote:
On 2004-11-20 16:32:00, angela wrote:
wow..we need to have thses things in magazines..like 17,vogue,cosmo..so ppl will stop dogging tanning!!!

Yeah, it's ironic they don't considering half the women that model or feature in the magazines are tanned.

My main reason for tanning to be beneficial at the moment is its combat against Winter Blues. I am providing myself a sufficient amount of UV type sunlight that I will be otherwise deprived of. This should keep my mental health positive. And a healthy mind is very important.

:: [X] ::


yea the models/actresses all fake bake! it really makes me mad because i was reading 17 the other day and they keep bashing real tanning.. nothing wrong if you have the money to get a good fake tan all the time but the uvs do help! somebody should write a letter...

[RedIndianGrrl]

I have discovered something that helps me to relax and to take better care of myself -- it just makes me more aware of my body and I have to fight to have a positive self image every single day of my life. I think it's just another form of self-love that doesn't make you go blind (hee hee). I find that the time I take on the bed is also part of my meditation work and I just feel so much better. I like myself dark. It's so uplifting, and I think in this culture it's really hard to be happy. We have everything we could possibly want and yet we're all trying to be truly happy. Tanning makes me happy, so I'm committed to it.

[Bonnie]

Bravo! Real tan over fake bake anyday!

[kevinistan]

I like to tan before I go to the gym and work out. I think it "helps" my workout because I seem to work harder (and look better doing it!) Plus, if you are tanned, you can see muscle definition a lot better.

[Bonnie]

Quote:
On 2004-12-09 14:53:00, kevinistan wrote:
I like to tan before I go to the gym and work out. I think it "helps" my workout because I seem to work harder (and look better doing it!) Plus, if you are tanned, you can see muscle definition a lot better.


Try tanning after you workout. Your blood is nearer the surface so you tan better!

[zectasy]

i def think tanning is good for you in multiple ways...i personally like it just cause i liek being tan...and honestly not to sound like a **** or anything but to me girls are much hotter when they have a tan...plus when girls tan it shows that they care about what they look like..do girls like guys that tan?

[Ashley Nicole]

Quote:
On 2004-12-09 21:24:00, zectasy wrote:
i def think tanning is good for you in multiple ways...i personally like it just cause i liek being tan...and honestly not to sound like a **** or anything but to me girls are much hotter when they have a tan...plus when girls tan it shows that they care about what they look like..do girls like guys that tan?


To anwser your question ....YES!

[Bonnie]

A tanned fit guy is the hottest thing on the planet!

[Dolphin_Key]

Sun Exposure could actually help prevent cancer

It's true. Studies indicating that this relationship exists need to be considered.
Many different researchers have shown that regular moderate sun exposure may play a role in preventing several kinds of cancers,
ncluding colon and breast cancers, which claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually. Several studies have shown that Vitamin D,
whose only reliable source for humans comes from sunshine, may play a role in retarding or arresting pre-cancerous cells in the body
from reproducing. Indeed, we have known for decades that overall cancer rates are significantly higher in sun-deprived parts of the world.


If regular sun exposure could prevent cancer, why do we always hear only the opposite?

The almighty dollar. Fear of the sun, scaring people about wrinkles and skin cancer, is a multi-billion-dollar industry led by
huge special interests who not only conduct most of the research on this topic but also promote it. Lobbyists for pharmaceutical
firms that sell billions of dollars of sunscreens and anti-sun cosmetics have teamed with the dermatology industry to promote a misinformed
campaign of sun abstinence. Conversely, there is no major industry except the indoor tanning industry that could make money by promoting the
positive effects of sunshine. And the indoor tanning industry consists of smaller companies that do not match the marketing saturation of the
multi-billion dollar "sun-scare coalition." The idea that people need to control their sun exposure is valid, but sun-scare lobbyists have taken
that message too far. The choice is yours to make.


The benefits of sun exposure far outweigh the risks of sunburn and overexposure.

Do the math. Non-melanoma skin cancer, which may be linked to sunburn and overexposure to ultraviolet light,
has an extremely low death rate of 0.3 percent and claims 1,200 lives a year in the United States. Compare that
to diseases that can be inhibited by regular sun exposure. Colon and breast cancers, both of which may be inhibited
by regular ultraviolet light exposure, have high death rates of 20-65 percent and claim 138,000 lives every year.
Osteoporosis, a bone disease which can be inhibited by regular sun exposure, is epidemic, affecting 25 million Americans.
Every year, 1.5 million osteoporosis patients suffer bone fractures, which can be fatal in elderly cases.
Because regular sun exposure may inhibit the onset of this and other diseases, it is clear that these and other
potential benefits of sun exposure need to be explored and factored into the equation.

Why don't dermatologists like any form of tanning?

The dermatology industry makes most of its money on "vanity visits" from patients.
One prominent New York dermatologist estimates that 50-90 percent of the dermatology industry's business is "cosmetic"
and medically unnecessary. Skin cancer is an important issue to the dermatology industry because it represents the only
subject that its lobbyists can promote as critical. Unfortunately, in their zeal to address this topic, lobbyists for the
dermatology industry have twisted the facts, exaggerated research findings and misled the public.

Indoor tanning is helping to reduce the incidence of sunburn.

It's true. One industry study has shown that indoor tanners, are 81 percent less likely to sunburn indoors or
outside than non-tanners. That's because tanning salons are playing a lead role in educating people that moderate
tanning is okay and sunburn should be avoided. The impractical message of sun abstinence promoted by the "sun-scare coalition"
is totally ineffective, people are not going to hide from sunshine. Indeed, the American Academy of Dermatology reported in 1997
that sunburn incidence has increased nine percent in the past 10 years, despite all-out efforts of sun-scare industries to warn
people about the dangers of overexposure. In that same time period, sunburn incidence among indoor tanners has declined.
It is the non-tanners who are doing most of the burning. Given that reality, teaching people who can tan the principles
of smart tanning is most practical.

[Bonnie]

I love it, thanks!

[dietcherry]

I know that after my first session yesterday, I could already see some color to my skin (although my back was mildly burned by evening). But after the tanning session, I felt so much more confident already! We went to visit some friends and I felt really good and I think it showed (I am usually pasty pale). Even though I didn't have a tan to them I'm sure, I just felt great.

[Ashley Nicole]

I love tanning! I love the way it makes me look, I love the way it makes me feel, plus its so relaxing!

[Misty]

Quote:
On 2005-01-11 07:08:00, dietcherry wrote:
I know that after my first session yesterday, I could already see some color to my skin (although my back was mildly burned by evening). But after the tanning session, I felt so much more confident already! We went to visit some friends and I felt really good and I think it showed (I am usually pasty pale). Even though I didn't have a tan to them I'm sure, I just felt great.


Be sure not to tan again until all the pink is gone

[dietcherry]

From what I've read, it's supposed to give you stronger bones, less risk of cancers such as breast cancer, helps with depression, may prevent some skin cancers, help arthritis, and for me, it does help my sex drive