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Tanning Salons Can Successfully Spread Safe Tanning Culture |
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The sun has a tough competition now and hereafter. His
monopoly in the area of tanning is fiercely questioned. The indoor
tanning industry is marching ahead to an unprecedented boom. It is a
gigantic business in USA with over 20,000 tanning salons being opened
and established since 1970.
Indoor tanning
basically encashed heavily on the research findings that proved sun
tanning is bad for the skin. It is proven that unsafe tanning can take
you to the level of cancer.
But the indoor salon tanners have a
strong case to defend themselves. They argue that ultraviolet rays cause
the skin cancer only in the case of a skin burn. Only a small amount of
rays is required to get the tan and hence there is no danger of the skin
cancer. They are emphatic in their views and the boom continues unabated.
But
the battle of wits and facts rages the tanning subject. American Academy
of Dermatology and the American Medical Association warn you against
both the sun tan and the indoor tan, especially for the cosmetic
purposes!
They demand that the facility should not be extended to
minors. No person or salon should claim a safe tan. A warning should be
displayed at a conspicuous place at the salon giving the details of the
hazards of tanning.
But the actual ground realities are
different. Studies have revealed that young women visit the tanning
salons, just for the sake of beauty. They feel that tan looks
attractive. In several States of USA, tanning is legally banned, but the
laws are lenient and even those are not strictly applied. With the will
to implementation lacking, the laws do not serve any purpose.
So,
prevention of unsafe tanning has become a social responsibility. Local
and State level medical associations, parents and teachers need to come
forward to take the lead to educate the younger generation about the
harmful effects of wrongful tanning practice.
Many indoor salons
are shops in disguise. They sell all the ancillary products like
mousses, bronzers, tanning lotions, brushes and many other related
utilities. The salon industry is also becoming more and more
diversified. The “per” session charges can range from anything between $
25 to $ 100, depending upon the nature of services obtained.
All
in all, the question arises- can we see the culture of indoor tanning
saloon a safe proportion? Perhaps, yes if the tanning saloons educate
their clients in advance before the tanning session about the
procedures, after care precautions, repeat visits requirements and the
general advice on tanning. This will certainly promote healthy tanning
culture.
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