Efforts to Reveal Truth About Tanning

Efforts to Reveal Truth About 
Tanning

LANSING - Now that summer is here, we will be seeing more people outside enjoying the sun and tanning but what that "healthy glow" is really doing to your skin, is not so healthy.

Almost everywhere you go, you can count on seeing a tanning salon and with the sun out for summer, people are easily exposed to these ultraviolet rays more regularly.

The Michigan Department of Community Health joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to promote "Te Burning Truth" campaign, providing awareness to the dangers of tanning. Public Information Officer, Angela Minicuci stands by this campaign.

"Essentially all it does is encourage residents to understand the risk that they're exposing themselves to when they expose themselves to UV rays of any kind," said Minicuci. "That includes indoor tanning as well as just being outside in the natural sunlight."

Tanning beds have given people the ability the tan all year long, even when the sun isn't out. Lansing Community College student Chelsea Carlisle says that used the beds more often in the winter months.

"I like going in the tanning beds more in the winter because there is no sun and I just want to be able to get some exposure to it," said Carlisle. "I definitely go a lot less in the summer just because I'm always out in the sun."

While the term "base tan" is commonly used and attempted, Minicuci shares that in reality, it does not exist and the exposure still harms your skin.

"What that is is an injury to your skin to begin with so not only are you creating an injury and then exposing yourself to more UV rays but you're not creating a protection."

Additional Resources
While you may be getting some color this summer, it is always important to protect your skin and be aware of any abnormalities. For more on "The Burning Truth" visit www.michigan.gov/mch.

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