As the weather is getting warmer, more students are making tanning a daily priority, stalking the UV index to make it a part of their routine. But some might wonder: is the tan worth the risk? While many students enjoy spending time in the sun, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that too much exposure to UV rays from the sun can damage skin cells and increase the risk of cancer.
For some students, finding time to tan can be difficult because of their busy schedules. Not all students can come straight home to tan because of commitments they have during the week. Sophomore, Ellen Kim, shares her view on how she fits tanning into her schedule
“I can only tan on weekends because sports take up most of my day,” Kim said.
Others take advantage of any free time they have when the weather is nice. Sophomore Ava Bevilacqua explains her view on tanning.
“If the UV is high, I love rushing home from school at the end of the day to tan,” Bevilacqua said.
While some students enjoy tanning, others make sure to wear sunscreen to protect their skin from long-term damage.
“I wear sunscreen and don’t use tanning oil because even if I use sunscreen, I still get tan; it’s not worth the skin damage,” sophomore Maya Snir said.
Not all students use the same approach when spending time outside in the sun.
“I understand the risks, but I enjoy tanning, so I try to balance sun exposure and being safe when I’m in the sun,” Kim said.
Students have many different opinions when it comes to tanning, while some focus on protecting their skin, others are more focused on getting a tan and being outdoors.
“If it’s nice out, I’d rather be outside enjoying the weather than staying inside,” Bevilacqua said.
