Eight days separate students from the freedom of Spring Break, and there's no question about it — they're ready.
For some, their tans are ready as well. Tanning season has been in full swing since mid-October, but the peak of the season hits at a crucial time: the days between the middle of January and Spring Break, when many tropics-bound students develop their base tan.
The purpose of base tanning is to achieve the desired color of a tan before sudden, prolonged exposure to the sun. Developing a solid base tan is believed to prevent sunburn. Ultra Image tanning salon owner Becky Reece said she urges her clients to base tan for best results.
"It's good to prepare your skin," Reece said. "Get your color first, then go out in the sun."
But is this really beneficial?
Professionals have said no.
Lawrence E. Gibson, a dermatologist writing for the Mayo Clinic, said that there was "little evidence" that base tanners wouldn't sunburn. If anything, he said, they were at more of a risk for premature aging and skin cancer, since any type of tanning comes from being exposed to harmful UV radiation.
Freshman finance major Gabrielle Bunn said it annoys her when people try to discourage her from tanning by bringing up cancer.
"Most people who will say that are smoking or something. They're going to get lung cancer. You choose your poison," Bunn said.
Despite the warnings, many tanning salons continue to reap the sales benefits of pre-break tanners. An employee at Sunsations Tanning in Muncie said the number of tanners to the salon doubles from mid-January to mid-February.
The national number of tanners also remains steady in spite of studies published about the risks of cancer, proving that if medical facts aren't a deterrent to tanning, money will be. Ultra Image relies on a student demographic and Reece said her salon feels the affects of the economy.
"We aren't seeing as many tanners as we used to. Students are on a [tighter] budget," she said.
Bunn, who tans all winter, said tanning for six months costs her $120 at Tan U Very Much, and lotions cost her $30 dollars per bottle. The Sunsations Tanning employee estimated that the average tanner for the salon spends $6 to $7 per tan each time they tan.
But for those who can't give up the sun, it's recommended that only 20 minutes of sunbathing be spent unprotected. After 20 minutes, SPF 30 sunscreen should be applied liberally and often. It's also not worth shelling out the cash for anything higher than SPF 30; studies show there are no proven benefits of sunscreens with a higher SPF. Avoiding hours in the sun is key. Bottom line? All things in moderation.
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