So you want that healthy glow for the summer? Thinking about tanning to get it, right? But as we all have heard too much sun can cause skin cancer and skin aging. But that's ok, we can tan indoors. Sadly, a lot of people still think that tanning indoors at tanning salons is a safe alternative to getting your tan from the sun. Unfortunately they are dead wrong.

Indoor tanning consists of lying down in a clamshell style tanning bed and lights from above and below the body are used to give you the tan. A lot of the older beds use UVB lights to give you the desired affect. UVBs are short wave ultraviolet rays that actually cause burning. More and more salon owners are becoming aware of the harmful effects of UVB radiation and are switching to UVA light source.

UVAs are long wave ultraviolet rays. This is giving tanners a false sense of security. Because of this change of light source tanners are feeling it is safe to continue their dangerous habit. While UVA rays are less likely to cause burning than UVB rays, UVA rays are suspected to have links to malignant melanoma and immune system damage. UVA penetrate more deeply and can weaken the skin's inner connective tissue.

Two types of skin cancer, basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer are treatable if they are detected early. Melanoma, another type of skin cancer, can be fatal. Long-term exposure to the sun and to artificial sources of ultraviolet light like UVB and UVA rays contributes to the risk of developing skin cancer. Many studies have shown that too much exposure to UV rays, including UVA rays, can damage the retina. Overexposure can burn the cornea. And repeated exposure of UV rays over many years can change the structure of the lens, forming a cataract. If left untreated, cataracts can cause blindness.

The FDA requires tanning salons to ask all customers to wear protective eye goggles. Some believe that closing your eyes, wearing ordinary sunglasses or using cotton balls protect you enough. They do not protect the eyes from the intensity of UV radiation in tanning beds. Long-term exposure to natural sunlight can also result in eye damage, but unlike in tanning beds, in the sun, people generally are more aware that their eyelids are burning. Under indoor tanning beds UV lights, exposed skin remains cool to the touch. Also, the intensity of the lights used in tanning beds is much greater - and potentially more damaging to the eyes - than the intensity of UV rays in natural sunlight. So let's be safe.

Skin cancer can be preventable if the proper precautions are used. Don't use tanning beds. They are not safe. Is it really worth your life to get the healthy glow? There are many alternatives out there that do not involve the harmful UV rays to get the desired look.

A word about sunscreens. If you spend some time in natural light it would be a good idea to use sunscreens with at least a SPF of 15. This will help protect you from UVBs. Some companies claim that they will protect from UVAs as well, but there is no way of telling how much because there is no system yet for rating UVA protection.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Tanning