 Do Tanning Beds Affect the Immune System? The positive remarks about tanning beds and the immune system have to do with both physical and mental aspects. It is believed that individuals that tan on a regular basis have less stress because they take time to relax and enjoy an activity that is for them. Their body is able to produce more endorphins and that improves their mood. They also have a better self image because they are proud of how their body looks with a tan. Those individuals who use a tanning bed will find their body naturally producing more Vitamin D. This will help to improve their body functions and keep the immune system built up. There are physical therapists who have documented improvements in their patients who begin using tanning beds. Their immune systems were boosted and they made remarkable progress in their recovery as a result. Now lets take a look at the other side of the coin when it comes to tanning beds and the immune system. Some research indicates that tanning beds harm the immune system because they harm the skin cells. This can lead to the individual developing a type of skin cancer. The body has to fight off the cancer and this results in a weakened immune system. Since tanning beds may be the cause for skin cells mutating, the immune system isn’t able to fight off the results of such changes. UV lights are believed to suppress the functionality of the immune system. This leaves the person susceptible to various types of skin infections, especially herpes in the form of cold sores. It also can leave some vaccines ineffective so you aren’t really protected against those illnesses that you think you are. If you are injured, your immune system might be slowed down because you use tanning beds. The DNA repair process could take up to twice as long. The person is also more likely to develop an infection because their immune system is below where it should be. Various medications are affected by the use of tanning beds. If you are taking medications that help fight off an infection they may not work as they are intended. Your immune system can become very weak trying to fight off the ailment on its own. Even birth control pills may not be as effective as they should be due to continuous exposure to tanning beds. Many dermatologists believe the immune system is weakened when a person uses tanning beds, resulting in various types of skin damage. Still yet, there are plenty of other studies that indicate using tanning beds may initially have an adverse affect on the immune system. Yet they also report that as the person continues to be exposed to the UV rays their immune system builds back up and eventually becomes stronger than before the person started tanning. As you can see, there is plenty of research that has taken place regarding the issue of tanning beds and their effect on the immune system. It is definitely an area that continues to be the center of controversy in the world of indoor tanning. There is still a great deal of research and clinical studies that have to be completed before a definite answer can be given about the benefits or harm that tanning beds have on the immune system. The best advice I can give anyone right now on the topic is that you need to be informed as to what the possible consequences of tanning are. If you decide to ignore the possible risks then be prepared to deal with issues relating to your immune system. Some people enjoy the results of their tanning experience so much they are willing to take the risk. Other people don’t pay any attention to the claims as they are still unfounded. It is a personal decision and one that should be made only after all the information has been reviewed.
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