My lovely 5 inch scar on the back of my leg is a daily reminder of the dangers of tanning beds. Along with a scar on my groin where lymph nodes were removed to ensure the cancer didn't spread.
That wasn't the scariest part of developing melanoma. The absolute worst part was when I had to take my 2 month old in for a biopsy because it was likely I developed melanoma while I was pregnant. If the cancer were advanced enough, it could have spread to him. All I could think of while waiting for the results were that my baby could die and it was all my fault for trying to get that 'base' tan many years ago.
I became much wiser these past few years. Quit using tanning beds and always wore sunblock. However it was too late and the damage was already done.
Please, please educate yourselves on the dangers of tanning beds and sun exposure.
I am dying of laughter reading a thread full of unhelpful white people! (FTR, I am also white, and would be zero help)
Us white people are not well known for our usefulness in explaining our stupid behaviors.
I used to tan before a trip to get a base tan and avoid burning, but now I just sit in the shade whenever I'm not in the water. Honestly it is a PITA and I feel like a big party pooper but I damaged my skin enough getting burned many summers/vacations so now that I'm older and wiser I'd rather be lame than have cancer.