2008 Woodie Awards
Soaking up the artificial sun before break
Lisa Hofer '09
Issue date: 2/22/07 Section: News
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As spring break approaches, many students are doing extra crunches in the gym and cutting back on late night pizza runs. Some, however, are also turning to a less healthy option to shape up for bathing suit season: tanning. While the chilly New England winter continues to prevent a mass migration to the quad to 'lay out' in the sun, many students turn to artificial sunlight to get that 'healthy' glow.
Skin cancer is a serious risk associated with tanning beds and booths, not to mention unseemly premature aging, wrinkling, and leathering of the skin.
"Any time your skin cells change color is an indication of damage," said Katie Gates, health educator/wellness coordinator. "We always say there is no such think as a safe tan and recommend self-tanner."
Some people are beginning to recognize the risks and change their behavior.
"I used to go but I stopped because it's bad for you, and I don't want to die of skin cancer," said Nancy Do '09.
Others recognize the irony of paying to put one's health in danger.
"I get my cancer for free; I don't do tanning beds," joked Christiane Darby '09.
Despite the widely acknowledged dangers associated with tanning, the allure of golden glow remains strong for many young people. According to a recent survey by the American Academy of Dermatology, 26% of 18-25 year olds reported using a tanning bed or booth in the last year.
Based on an informal Cowl survey conducted this week of 128 randomly selected students, numbers are slightly higher than the national trend. Eighty-nine students, or 70 percent say they never go tanning, 30 students, or 23 percent go tanning one to six times a year, and nine students, or seven percent go tanning more than six times a year. Out of the latter category, some individuals reported tanning as much as once or twice a week.
Many students reported going tanning before a special event such as Junior Ring Weekend or spring break.
Skin cancer is a serious risk associated with tanning beds and booths, not to mention unseemly premature aging, wrinkling, and leathering of the skin.
"Any time your skin cells change color is an indication of damage," said Katie Gates, health educator/wellness coordinator. "We always say there is no such think as a safe tan and recommend self-tanner."
Some people are beginning to recognize the risks and change their behavior.
"I used to go but I stopped because it's bad for you, and I don't want to die of skin cancer," said Nancy Do '09.
Others recognize the irony of paying to put one's health in danger.
"I get my cancer for free; I don't do tanning beds," joked Christiane Darby '09.
Despite the widely acknowledged dangers associated with tanning, the allure of golden glow remains strong for many young people. According to a recent survey by the American Academy of Dermatology, 26% of 18-25 year olds reported using a tanning bed or booth in the last year.
Based on an informal Cowl survey conducted this week of 128 randomly selected students, numbers are slightly higher than the national trend. Eighty-nine students, or 70 percent say they never go tanning, 30 students, or 23 percent go tanning one to six times a year, and nine students, or seven percent go tanning more than six times a year. Out of the latter category, some individuals reported tanning as much as once or twice a week.
Many students reported going tanning before a special event such as Junior Ring Weekend or spring break.