about sunbeds

[IceBeing]

I probably am, because I just lost my DM to malignant melanoma. She likely got that because her own mother forced her as a child to wait out in the sun for her father to the point she was regularly blistered from sun burn.

But why on earth would anyone do this to themselves on purpose?

Why should people be allowed to make money from increasing people's chances of skin cancer?

[IceBeing]

giles again! Fags actually have short term benefits that cannot be gotten in a similar way safely. they contain actual drugs.

Sunbeds do not have this. you can get ALL the supposed benefits elsewhere.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Your being ridiculous comparing it with X-rays now. X-rays are for medical use only. They don't do anything else.

[Chippednailvarnish]

So what are the short term benefits of smoking?

[TequilaMockingbirdy]

Sorry no it's me, I meant the colour change is a result of the cells trying to protect themselves.

Upon contact with UVB light, skin cells called melanocytes begin producing melanin, a pigment that darkens the skin and absorbs harmful radiation before DNA damage can occur. UVB rays prompt the secretion of MSH, or Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone, from the pituitary gland. MSH binds to a receptor on the surface of melanocytes, triggering melanogenesis through the release of a chemical called cAMP. The more cAMP that is present, the greater the amount of melanin that is synthesized

[Thurlow]

This thread might have to win an award for the only thread I have ever seen that says cigarettes have benefits...

[IceBeing]

I think I probably actually believe that smoking should be banned too...

but it isn't half as stupid as using sunbeds.

it isn't a tenth.

People should realise that their health is more important than their appearance...certainly they should realise that sacrificing their health for the tiny difference between a sunbed tan and a fake tan is the act of a total idiot.

[MaidOfStars]

Tequila, a tan is produced when certain cells produce excess melanin in order to better absorb incoming UV rays. It's a normal biochemical process and nothing to do with DNA or mutation events. DNA mutations are induced when the incoming UV light causes a breakdown of one of the chemical bonds in DNA, which causes changes in DNA sequence.

[Chippednailvarnish]

I might try cigarettes and see if they help my acne like a sunbed does...

[Gileswithachainsaw]

They contain drugs to addict you! The rest are toxic chemicals that starve your brain of oxygen and raise levels of toxic gases in your blood.

Fags dp not make you feel good that's a psychological interpretation placed on something where the real benefits are five mins quiet and a distraction. A cup of tea would do the same

[MaidOfStars]

X-post, Tequila.

[IceBeing]

short term benefit of smoking is the drug high.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

They may stop you feeling worse from nicotine with drawl but they don't make you feel better

[IceBeing]

X-rays are for medical use

yes well I think UV radiation should also only be for medical use.

Its like lead really....just because you find it naturally in the environment doesn't mean you should expose yourself unnecessarily.

I don't know if lead has any medicinal uses...would be surprised if it didn't.

[TequilaMockingbirdy]

Yes maidofstars I've just said I was wrong and stated the colour change is a result of cells trying to protect themselves, increasing melanin, to better absorb UV light before DNA damage can occur.

[Thurlow]

And the benefit of how sunbeds make people feel is a high too.

I don't get your middle ground stance. Either people are that stupid we - as society - have a duty to protect them from themselves, in which case cigarettes, alcohol, ridiculously fatty foods, sunbeds etc should all be banned and the government tells us exactly what we should eat and how we get our little highs and enjoyments - or people are free to do what they want. Which, is smoking is allowed because it gives the smoker a short-term high, then sunbeds are allowed because they make the user feel better.

[TequilaMockingbirdy]

ah sorry :)

[IceBeing]

I wonder if paying for their cancer treatment would stop people worrying so much about the difference in quality between a sunbed tan and a bottle tan?

If you have ever used a sunbed (without the guidance of a medical professional) then you are liable for...hmm...10% of the cost of treatment of any skin cancer you develop.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Yes let's have the nhs fund tanning beds now then shall we?

[IceBeing]

thurlow because in some cases you are weighing pros and cons.
In the case of sunbeds you are weighing cons and cons. If people really can't work out if they should do something that only has down sides then we do really need to help them.

People don't feel better because they used a sunbed. They feel better because they like being warm (which can be achieved otherwise) or they like spending time on themselves (which can be achieved otherwise) or they like being more brown (which can be achieved otherwise).

[IceBeing]

giles why not?

MUCH cheaper than funding skin cancer care?

[Thurlow]

That argument about funding your own care again? It's a fail-safe one, definitely.

People who use sunbeds should pay towards their skin cancer treatment.

People who smoke should pay towards their treatment.

People who overeat should pay towards their diabetes treatment.

People who play sports should pay towards their treatments if they dislocate a shoulder or break a nose.

People who drive a less safe car should pay towards their treatments if they suffer injuries a more modern car would have protected them from.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Look I can understand why your angry.

And I have worked for establishments/industries which ht the blame for god knows what.

But people are not responsible for other people's stupidity.

Should we not drive as people are killed on roads. Should we not work in case we are hurt.

Infact let's not leave the house at all.

People are responsible for educating themselves and making informed choices.

No amount of banning things or closing shops will stop people from seeking what they want.

[Chippednailvarnish]

The sad thing is OP you had a reasonable argument at the start of this thread.

Unfortunately by saying that smoking has pros and short term benefits (which isn't true) and deciding that anyone who uses a sunbed is an idiot, and refusing to accept that some people do feel a benefit from using sunbeds, you've done nothing but make your argument sound completely unhinged.

[IceBeing]

thurlow again....sunbeds are different because there is no advantage whatsoever to using them.

People make lifestyle choices...fine. But using a sunbed isn't a lifestyle choice. It doesn't do anything for you that you can't do in other better ways. Using a sunbed is a simple choice to risk cancer with no tangible benefit to you or yours.

[MaidOfStars]

Tequila, I didn't start well by helpfully pointing out a misconception then failing to actually illuminate the subject in some way! We cool?