#wastedresources

After reading this article I have gained a much better understanding as to what sustainable fashion is and how its becoming a huge part of the future. I think sustainability is a great topic to include in my display as it is a huge movement at the moment. Water is also a resource being used by the fashion industry on mass and it could have a disastrous affect in the long run. 

What’s worse than pale skin? Cancer.

Living in Florida, it’s not hard to see the effects of sun damage. Women in there thirties seem to look twenty years older and yet they are still baking by the pool on hot summer days. My mother warned me of the negative effects of the sun and I always wore sunscreen and a hat to the beach. It wasn’t until high school that I realized- I just don’t look that great with pale skin.  Although I had heard about the dangers of these “cancer coffins,” I caved and signed for a membership. Not only do the sales women badger you endlessly into buying their products, but also then you wait in a long line only to sweat in a claustrophobic box and then burn.

Why do we do this? Self esteem.

We know that tanning beds are dangerous but they make us look better which in turn makes us feel better about ourselves. It’s also addictive. Quitting during the summer is easy, because you are outside in the sunshine often anyways. But when it comes time for a formal event or spring break, it seems like the only choice. The American Cancer Society suggests people to try bronzing or self-tanning creams instead of tanning beds; however, they leave streaky and looking like an oompa loompa. The tanning bed is the only solution.

 Upon further research, I discovered that the international cancer experts have placed tanning beds into the top cancer risk category. Analysis of over 20 studies has proven that the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before they are 30. 75% less risk can be avoided by not being tan? To me, the choice was simple and I canceled my membership. Skin cancer is a disease that used to be more common in older people. But with tan skin associating itself with beauty, young people are willing to sacrifice the damage.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is now considered to be as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas.This seems like an extreme sacrifice just to achieve the perfect beach bod.

The use of tanning beds impacts the environment because people who are diagnosed with a preventable disease because of voluntary exposure to UV radiation are wasting time, money, and resources of trained professionals who could be helping others. It could also be argued that if the demand for skin cancer treatment due to tanning beds were not present, the resources and money could be used in other issue, such as environmental issues. Eliminating the population of patients who have acquired the disease because of their intentional exposure would also greatly reduce strain on the medical community.

 Remember when people were proud to be pale? Marie Antoinette was known for her beauty and strove to keep her skin fair. She even used white powders and did not go out in the sun often to stay pale. The good news is there may be hope for pale skin in the future. Recently, hollywood actresses such as Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and Gwyneth Paltrow stated, “that paleness equals class. And it’s sexy.” Also, “According to a recent report from the University of Toronto, men are more attracted to fairer-skinned women in all races, as they appear innocent and pure.” Lee Pycroft, a celebrity make-up artist belives that “Alabaster skin is a chic, classy, beautiful look that’s been gunning for a renaissance” and states that “It’s been cherished by the fashion world for several years – think of all those Prada campaigns with Karen Elson – and now it’s taking centre stage.” Whether you are naturally bronzed or have milky white skin, it’s important to learn to embrace what you were given instead of taken harsh measures to change. Tanning beds may give you a temporary glow, but the long-term effects are much more detrimental than being bronzed at winter formal

"Skin Cancer Foundation." Tanning. N.p., Mar.-Apr. 2012. Web. 01 March 2013.

Odell, Amy. "This Just In: Tanning Beds Are As Bad for You As Smoking." The Cut. N.p., 29 July 2009. Web. 01 March 2013.