Tanning = Dumb.

[caitaro]

My comments WILL BE IN ITALICS.

Sociological perspective

Separation of social classes

Tanning has seen a marked increase in popularity in recent years. One evidence of this trend has been seen in the growth of skin cancer, outdoor tanning, and tanning salons. The reason for this increase is because of society’s evolving definition of the significance of a tan. The rise and fall in popularity of tanning has less to do with the color of one’s skin and more to do with the means by which the tan was obtained. When the sun was worshiped tanning was popular, but in later years when a tan was associated with the lower class lifestyle it was no longer desirable. Tanning again became popular when low class jobs moved indoors and the upper classes had more leisure time to spend outdoors. Still today, having a tan is a sign of status and is associated with being a member of the upper classes[citation needed]. Having darker skin is not the only desirable product of tanning, but it is also to show that one is wealthy enough to be able to spend time working on their tan [14].



There's nothin like saying " Look at me~ Im so tan and sexi, But im also Im a rich bastard and I dont care that youre poor, hey come mug me"!

Society’s concept of image

Today, tanning is a sign of being healthy, even if that may not be accurate. According to several studies, both men and women view a tanned body as more healthy than a pale body [17], even though tanning sometimes leads to an unhealthy body by way of skin cancer, blistered or burnt skin, freckles, and wrinkles, among others. This represents the conflict between one’s health and the social values of being physically attractive. Often, people do not tan because of how they are going to view their body, but moreso how others are going to view it. Some people prefer to appear healthy and conform to society’s expectations, rather than curtail risk by avoiding sun damage [18]. The image one conveys through having bronzed skin is largely responsible for the ever-growing trend of tanning today [18].


Ultraviolet (UV) radiation AKA TANNING is commonly opinionated by environmentalists to be "the most prominent and universal cancer-causing agent in our environment."[3] The US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program Report on Carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) states that UV solar radiation, and use of sun lamps and sun beds are "known to be a human carcinogen." [4]. Some scientists have suggested recently that there may be an association between UVA radiation (the type of radiation that makes up most of the radiation in tanning beds) and malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.[5] There is persuasive evidence that each of the three main types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma, is caused by sun exposure.[6]Women who visited a tanning parlor at least once a month were 55% more likely to later develop melanoma than women who didn't artificially suntan. Those who used sun lamps to tan while in their 20s had the greatest later risk, about 150% higher than similarly aged women who shunned tanning beds. [7]

Exposure to UV radiation has a detrimental effect on the immune system. Exposure causes changes in antigen presentation by Langerhans cells and macrophages. Also, the activities of natural killer cells and T cells is reduced. Last, cytokine regulation is disrupted by UV exposure. [12] Ultraviolet radiation exposure may facilitate the growth of skin neoplasms and the spreading of skin-associated infections due to stimulation of suppressor T cells.[13]

While the dangers of UVB are widely recognized[14][15][16], the dangers of UVA are less understood. UVA is less likely to burn the skin, and it has been called the "bronzing light." However, it is clearly associated with inducing aging changes in the skin and in promoting the development of skin cancer. This is because UVA penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB, and therefore causes damage on a deeper level. Most aging of skin is due to UVA rays destroying collagen and connective tissue beneath the superficial layer of the skin. UVB rays do not reach as far below the skin. Excessive exposure to UVA radiation has its risks, which could may cause premature aging, including wrinkles, sunspots, and loss of skin elasticity.[17]

One study conducted amongst a college student population found that awareness of the risks of tanning beds did not deter the students from using them.[18]

Meaning they were all complete fucktards!



Although rare, it is possible for tanning beds to be a vector for infections of pubic lice, also known as crabs.[19] If the surface of the bed is not properly cleaned or if towels provided by the salon are not washed in hot water, crab lice can survive for several days on these surfaces. Crab lice are difficult to see on the acrylic of a dimly lit tanning bed, and they are not killed by anti-bacterial or anti-viral cleaning agents used in salons.[citation needed] They can only be killed by physical removal or by the use of insecticides such as pyrethrin.

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Tanning Beds vs. Natural Sunlight

Tanning beds have a different ratio of UVA to UVB radiation as well as a different overall UV spectrum than sunlight does. Furthermore, the radiation levels are more intense, requiring individuals to limit their exposure to very brief periods. One study found that the amount of UVA radiation, which penetrates deeper into the skin, was anywhere from about 3-8 times greater in the tanning beds than in the light from the sun. [20]

While there appears to be a link between indoor tanning beds and cancer[5][21][22], the connection is not possible to indisputably prove because people who tan indoors also tan outdoors. Furthermore, cancer shows up decades after exposure. Last, there is a genetic component to skin cancer. None of this changes the fact that there are risks (and benefits, such as vitamin D production) associated with exposure to ultraviolet.




So in Conclusion...

..Okay im going to make a poll here.

How do you want to live your life? I want to conform to society, follow the crowd, Tan it up, be "super smexi" to those superficial bastards from the ages of 12-25, and then after (or possibly before!) that age possibly develop skin cancer, get crabs, wrinkles, premature aging, and loss of skin elasticity (aka SAGGY GRANDMA SKIN) And those superficial bastards from before will dump me because of my grandma skin, leaving me in the dust. sad, alone, and dying. At least People will think im rich enough to afford that chemo! I want to go outside when i want, spend maybe a bit of time in the sun, not get too tan, stay cute and loveable, have great skin until I get to maybe 60-70 years old when there's no stopping the skin elasticity.. Oh yeah.. not get crabs, and not get skin cancer too...And.. If i find some guy who is nice and loveable and likes me for ME and not how tan my skin is, we will live together till we are 90 years old! He wouldnt care if i had grandma skin! View Results

Comments

[traroderick.livejournal.com]

Well, when I did King and I, the director made EVERYONE tan (but me, because i'm already asian) so when people tanned it really wasn't by their choice. Also, there is the option of spray on tan, and as far as I know, that doesn't have any negative reprocussions. Well, I don't care, as long as it makes them happy *shrug* it's not my body.

[caitaro.livejournal.com]

In that case, because it was FOR something and not just for a "Yay lets get laid" aspect...

Then it was okay.


I DO care what people do to their bodies.

I will not associate myself with someone who does drugs.

WOo it "makes them happy" or whatever.



Yes spray on tan doesnt have anything negative, but its still a "Yay look at me im rich and pulled a reverse MJ yet i still make fun of MJ for it!"

But it also makes them dumb.

[traroderick.livejournal.com]

Well, *shrug* I wasn't trying to be psudointillectual or anything. I'm guess i'm just less judgemental and superficial.

All, I know is, i'd never do drugs. I have tanned before, but it wasn't so i'd look 'all hot and sexi' to impress people.

You just have to think with an open mind, and if everyone did that, the world would be a better place.