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9 Secrets Tanning Salons Don't Want You to Know

Indoor tanning can cost you your healthy skin and your life, so how are these salons staying in business? Find out

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If you've ever set foot in a tanning bed salon, you've heard the hard sell. They push "tan accelerators" costing up to $90 a pop, a "package" of tans so your "glow doesn't go," and the promise that tanning beds are a "smarter" choice than baking out at the beach.

Skip to see the 9 secrets tanning salons don't want you to know now.

And apparently, you don't have to be a dummy to be sold. Nearly 30 million Americans a year tan indoors, allowing the industry to pull in a whopping five billion dollars per annum in revenue, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. That's a lot of willing costumers allowing a business to knowingly, and quite happily, damage their skin.

So what is this, an alternate universe? What happened to the idea that the beauty industry was one that promoted youth and health? Spending time in a tanning bed practically guarantees you'll eventually deal with skin problems like photo damage, brown spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Oh and hey, perhaps you've heard about this thing called melanoma, another not-so-lovely side effect of your tanning habit. Yeah, it's a deadly skin cancer that can spread throughout your entire body and kill you. Dead.

So why do Americans continue to subject themselves to the wrath of tanning beds and what are the secrets these salons are keeping from us in order to keep business booming? Read on.

See Next Page: Tanning indoors is more dangerous than tanning outdoors

By Anna Jimenez

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I use to work in the tanning industry for over 10 years and luckily I do not have any serve skin damage. I was highly addicted to tanning and always buying the most up to date tanning lotions and spending God knows how much wasted money on this crap!!! I'm now 36 years old although most people tell me I still look like Im 25 years old, I can personally see the brown spots on my skin, especially on my face! Thank goodness for full coverage make-up! But I do go to my dermatologist at least 2 times a year for check ups since I've tanned in the beds for so long! I'm scared that the years of laying in those "death beds" will eventually catch up to me! I know I cant turn back time, but If I could have it to do all over again, I would of never used those tanning beds nor would I have never worked in the tanning industry!!! Now I'm doing everything I possibly can to prevent any more skin damage on myself!!! I know I cant reverse what damages I have done to my skin, but I'm for sure taking the best care of my skin from hear on out!!! GREAT ARTICLE!!!

by PinkGirl76 Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 10:05PM Report as inappropriate

Very informative!

by lwagner120 Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 12:58PM Report as inappropriate

Tanorexia is for sure a real thing and I was this close to becoming one! Luckily i gave that crap up years ago!

by ladyboarder9669 Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 01:04PM Report as inappropriate

This was very informative. Personally, I think that tanning is not good for you in any form. We all need a little sun, but most go to extremes that will turn up on your skin later in life. It's best to get sun in any form in moderation.

by voyager24 Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 12:46PM Report as inappropriate

I still wouldn't call Tanorexia a "disease". Is more of a psychological/ social issue. There's no virus or bacteria ravaging their body... there's no genetic abnormality either. Unless you can it predisposition to be addicted a disease. tanning beds are scary. You are literally being baked like in a toaster oven. I wonder if any has ever tried to cook an egg in one or make toast. I seriously don't get how people wouldn't feel claustrophobic especially as bright lights are burning you slowly.

by Minimisfit Friday, January 6, 2012 at 01:15PM Report as inappropriate

"TANOREXIA" IS A REAL DISEASE. Wow, did not know that. Luckily, I don't tan at all. Maybe get a spray tan, but that's probably it.

by MissXu Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 04:14PM Report as inappropriate

I completely agree that tanning (whether indoors OR outdoors, by the way) is an unhealthy practice. Obviously. We all know the more you tan in any manner, whether indoor or outdoor, the more likely you are to develop skin cancer of some kind. It is also encourages early wrinkles and fine lines, as well as "leathery" skin. I know a young lady in her 20's that has tanned since High School and already has skin cancer. I also know of a bride-to-be (did not know her personally, but knew her friend) who was so obsessed with being tan for her wedding, that she went to 3-4 different tanning beds every day for a couple weeks. She died. This must be taken serisouly. BUT. Each of us are free to make our own decisions. I choose to not be pale. I tan indoors 1-2 per week. I use lotion to prevent my skin from drying out or becoming "leathery." Alcohol, smoking, overeating, not exercising, and tanning can all be extremely unhealthy practices. I suggest a bit of common sense and moderation. If you are an indiviidual that is unable to judge how much is too much- then you should stay away from all of these behaviours. Just be smart.

by ohiobeauty Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 03:51PM Report as inappropriate

I haven't been in a tanning bed since high school and do not regret that decision one bit. I honestly don't know why I ever went tanning indoors in the first place. What a waste of money.

by jordanmarie Monday, October 31, 2011 at 02:25PM Report as inappropriate

Tanning beds are just bad. I wish that I had never gone as a teenager because maybe I wouldn't be dealing with the results of it at this point in time. Tan skin wasn't worth it.

by taryn.romero Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 11:24AM Report as inappropriate