As a sixteen year old female, Kelly felt the pressure to tan like many other teens. She went undercover as a CBC student News Day reporter to reveal the truth behind tanning salons. In this guest blog, she shares her findings and the dangers associated with indoor tanning.

I am a typical sixteen year old female. I strive to look good and feel confident. A year ago, I would have considered turning to a tanning bed to achieve what I was told a “healthy glow”. I always saw my favourite celebrities sporting a dark tan and I felt ashamed of my pale skin. I wanted to try out a tanning bed however my parents never allowed me to do so – and thank goodness they didn’t!

I recently took part in a journalism project where I discovered the unfortunate truth behind tanning salons. Working as a CBC student News Day reporter, I had the opportunity to go undercover into numerous indoor tanning facilities. Very shortly into my investigation I learned that many tanning salons were not following Health Canada’s Guidelines (which state that a waiver is required for individuals under the age of 16 to use tanning beds). Tanning salon operators ignored the waiver; even though I made it clear I was underage. I was told that no consent by my parents was required . I was also encouraged to tan more than once in a 24 hour period which doctors and dermatologists both consider extremely dangerous.

If there is one thing that I’ve learned it’s that there is no such thing as a healthy glow. There are various statistics one can argue, however there is absolutely no denying that there is a relationship between the harmful rays emitted by tanning beds and skin cancer. Think about it this way! Kids my age, hop into tanning beds left right and center for an awfully vain purpose and are potentially increasing their risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by 75%! Why would anyone increase their risk of developing the most deadly form of skin cancer on purpose?

We as teens are increasing our risk of skin cancer and the worst part is, we don’t even know it. It sickens me that this industry is targeted towards ill informed teens (like myself a only a short year ago).

The World Health Organization has suggested that all countries impose a ban on the use of tanning beds for individuals under the age of 18 . Ireland, France, Australia, New Brunswick, some states within the US and the Capital Regional District on Vancouver Island have imposed bans.

I understand that society portrays being tanned as being beautiful however this is a mentality we need to change. Embrace your natural skin.

~ Kelly, St. Thomas More Collegiate
Burnaby BC