Increasing every year in popularity, tanning indoors is consuming the lives of young men and women.

The effects from tanning are harmful in more ways than just one. Russellville has many tanning salons to choose from and at these various salons you will find a Tech student signed up at each one.

Tanning beds were brought to America by Friedrich Wolff in 1978, and unregulated in America until 1988.

Tanning beds emit ultraviolet radiation to give users a cosmetic tan.

In an attempt to mimic the sun, tanning beds use several fluorescent lamps made of phosphor to emit UV.

Many of the new tanning beds emit the same amount of UVA as natural sunlight. The radiation levels are more intense in tanning beds, which is why they have a time limit that is not to be exceeded in one session. Most tanning beds have a time limit of 20 minutes.

People who suffer from psoriasis and eczema are often told by doctors to treat themselves in a tanning bed. Tanning beds are also used in dermatology cases as well as depression cases.

In cases of depression doctors say the one benefit to a tanning bed is that the warmth releases serotonin in the brain, which makes the patient happy.

Craig Kilburn, personal trainer at Maxx Nutrition, said "I believe tanning is bad because you can develop skin cancer very easily, as well as wrinkles, and it makes you age quicker. The harms from tanning are endless," he said.

"It's bad all the way around. And most people don't follow the safety precautions and use the proper safety goggles as instructed."

A good 60 percent of the members at Maxx Nutrition have a tanning membership. Maxx has three different tanning beds to choose from and they are occupied the majority of the time.

Kilburn added that the members at Maxx that tan do at least three times a week.

According to cancer.gov "almost everyone who frequents a tanning salon or exposes themselves to the sun are putting themselves at risk for skin cancer."

The risks are greater for people who are fair skinned, with red hair, blonde hair, and light colored eyes.

Also if skin cancer runs in the family, frequent tanners are at a higher risk for skin cancer.

The Health Care Bill from the Obama administration  imposed a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning. That was expected to bring in $2.7 billion over the next decade. With this tanning tax the Obama administration anticipated that indoor tanning would decrease.

But most people are unaware of the new tax, and keep on tanning.

A frequent tanner, Megan Milam, sophomore history/political science major from Rogers, said "I tan because I like to look dark, which in turn makes me feel better about myself. It increases my self esteem.”

“I tan around 7 times a week. If I tan any less I feel extremely pale and self conscious,” she added.

“I understand there are harmful effects that come along with tanning but I think it is worth the risk to look good."

Regarding the tanning tax Milam said "it isn't the government’s business whether or not I tan. This tax is not going to stop me from tanning. I have my own health insurance anyways."

Those who want to avoid getting skin cancer while still having the tan look should avoid tanning beds and opt for a spray tan.