Are you a sun worshiper? Do your friends call you Helios, the Greek god of the sun? What do you do during those long, cold, cloud-filled State College winters? This freezin' season has not been the most gratifying for the solar hearted! Is a tanning center your solution?

The decision to use tanning beds can be tricky. There is a desire to look tanned and healthy versus the hazards of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds. Most of us strive to look healthy; we welcome that dark tan that's so appealing. But we need to weigh the risks of being golden brown.

Tanning is a growing industry that enthusiastically encourages a 10- to 25-minute baking session. Many tanning centers downplay the existence of significant health risks from tanning and disagree with the views of medical experts. I would have to say, however, that I was pleasantly surprised to find that a majority of the State College tanning locations did post numerous, easily noticed, clear warnings about the health hazards of tanning.

There are two forms of damaging ultraviolet wavelengths of light transmitted by the sun -- UV-B and UV-A rays. Tanning bed manufacturers use UV-A bulbs. Although they make you less vulnerable to bad burns, UV-A rays can cause far worse damage to your skin because they are longer and can penetrate deeper into the dermis. They can actually cause cellular DNA damage, and damage collagen and elastin fibers (hello wrinkles!) and dermal blood vessels.

So while you're being sun-kissed (sounds like a raisin ad, get it?), be aware of these tanning facts:

• Skin cancer -- you're looking at seven times the increase in your chances for skin cancer, including malignant melanoma, and basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. A tan is like a callus; it's the body's natural way of protecting itself.
  
• Wrinkles -- until about age 40, you'll never realize what that ultraviolet exposure did to you when you were a teenager.
  
• Leathery skin -- that beautiful, 19-year-old skin you have now fades away to sun damaged middle-aged skin -- not so healthy and attractive later in life.
  
• Decreased immunity -- Ultraviolet light, particularly UV-A, diminishes the ability of T-cell function.
  
• Superficial blood vessel formation -- Ultraviolet rays can damage blood vessels.
  
• Skin discoloration -- you can easily become blotchy if you're taking hormonal medications.

There are other risks that you may not know about. For example, certain medications can increase your reaction to ultraviolet radiation, including some antibiotics, blood pressure medications, tranquilizers, birth control pills and oral diabetes medications.

Consider the risks; are you really sure you still want that tan? If so, here are some suggestions for safer tanning:

• Don't overdo it. Start with short time intervals and slowly build up exposure times. Did you realize that a 20-minute tanning session is equivalent to one entire day at the beach?
• Wear eye protection. Use goggles made for tanning in a booth. Malignant melanoma of the eye is also associated with the use of sunlamps and tanning UV-A rays. Research indicates that UV radiation levels to the eye could be over 100 times greater in tanning booths than the outside sun. Corneal burns, cataracts and retinal damage can occur.
• Avoid direct contact with the bulbs.
• Your skin type is very important. Your tanning ability is genetically controlled and cannot be altered. For example, someone with a Celtic background may burn easily and is at greater risk for skin damage. Even black skin can burn; damage can ensue, though the risks are diminished.
• Make sure there's an attendant nearby to help in case of an emergency.
• Cleanse the tanning bed with the appropriate cleansers before and after tanning. These will usually be provided by the tanning center.
• Sunscreens are partially effective, depending on the UV length and the proper and liberal use of sunscreen. Sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher can more safely assure that healthy glow.
• Teens should avoid using tanning salons on a regular basis. The earlier they use the tanning bed, the earlier the damage will occur.

So before you decide to slither into that tanning bed, take a good look in the mirror and know that your beauty isn't skin deep. No amount of UV rays can make you more appealing; however, they can compromise your splendor and expose you to health risks. Enjoy the radiance of your youth; let the sun shine from within!