Dangers of Overexposure to the Sun

Throughout history, the "ideal" image of people has changed significantly. From the white wigs of the 18th century to the blond dye of now, people have been expected to look differently over time, with different styles and fads. People have always enjoyed going to the beach and pool, spending time outside and relaxing. In recent years, however, the purpose of being outside has gone beyond just relaxing, and on to changing your image. Society has found an addiction with tanning. Everyone loves coming back from the beach with a nice, dark tan, however, they don't know the dangers entailed. I, personally, had to learn about the dangers the hard way.

For years, in health class our teacher would lecture us about overexposure to the sun. They would hand out packets and pamphlets about melanoma and skin cancer, but everyone would simply think, "Why would it happen to me?" Unfortunately, it has to happen to someone, but I certainly didn't expect it to happen to me.

After a long trip to Miami with my friends, I began to very much enjoy tanning, the activity as well as the look. When I came back to New York, there simply wasn't enough sun, or a good beach where I can go to keep up my tan. My friends and I began to go to a local tanning salon. We all found it awesome that we can go somewhere, pay a couple of dollars, and a few minutes later we had a great looking tan. We started to make usual visits, and we signed up for a year worth of tanning thanks to the very convincing salespeople at the salon. Whenever I had a few minutes, I would just go to the tanning salon. People would always compliment my tan, and ask if I just got back from vacation or where I was. I loved how I looked and I didn't see any problem with what I was doing...

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...s dangerous act. I think that the actual experience of having the piece of cancer removed was what really struck me that this is a real danger and that it can actually hurt people. I was lucky that my tumor was benign. After this experience, I decided that it's important to help others and prevent them from going through what I had to go through. I volunteered at my middle school a couple of times to talk to the health classes about the risks of sun exposure and the possibility of cancer. I could see in their eyes that by seeing someone who actually went through the pain and suffering causes by the sun and light, they understood the real, immediate and true risks of cancer. It was no longer some old person coming to speak to us, it was me, an 18 year old student who never thought it would happen to him. I hope that I actually made a difference in one of their lives.