When thinking of tanning, most people automatically assume the worst. “It damages your skin and is bad for you,” is the general consensus when discussing tanning. Many people look past the beneficial aspects tanning brings.

People understand that sun exposure makes people happier. It is a common fact that people feel better when the have a nice tan. People tend to feel healthier, prettier and all around better about themselves when they have a natural glow. Having a tan is one easy way to boost self-confidence. But many people do not realize that other than boosting one’s morale, sun exposure has many strong beneficial factors to it as well.

Most people should get a significant amount of Vitamin D because of its positive effects. The most effective and natural way to get Vitamin D is through sunlight. Vitamin D is necessary to utilize the calcium that we have in our diets. With a good amount of Vitamin D each day, the calcium it saves can help prevent osteoporosis. Another medical condition that Vitamin D helps fight against is psoriasis. It can reduce the unattractive appearance and discomfort of psoriasis. Vitamin D has also been shown to prevent many cancers including colon, prostate and breast cancers. It is a benefit to go tanning because with such harsh winters in New England we have less chances to get outside and enjoy the sunlight.

Tanning can be beneficial in the emotional department as well. Getting the recommended amount of UV rays (1,000 to 2,000 IU’s) per day can help fight against seasonal affective disorder. As the winter is steady upon us now many people start to feel low but doses of sunlight can help improve moods and fight depression.

Do you plan on going on a sunny beautiful trip during vacation? Well then, indoor tanning could become your new best friend. With controlled UV exposure from tanning beds a natural sunscreen is formed on your body. A base tan that is brought upon by controlled tanning minimizes the risk of sunburns. A base tan also makes your sunscreen more effective. By slowly building up a tan you protect your skin from sun damage and it forms a thicker outer layer of skin which makes the skin more resistant to sunburn. Tanning creates a natural protection against the sunlight.

According to tanningtruth.com, approximately one million indoor tanners were referred to tanning facilities by their dermatologists. Clearly, the benefits of tanning can outweigh the disadvantages of tanning and as more research is being done the results are proving that tanning is helpful to get necessary vitamins. As long as people tan in moderation and use common sense, indoor or outdoor tanning is extremely beneficial to one’s health.