When the new year begins and spring break is suddenly around the corner, unnaturally tanned skin and meal replacement bars become all too familiar sights among young people. The trends of visiting tanning salons and unhealthy crash diets become even more popular in college-aged adults as winter comes to a close.\nIn a world obsessed with low-carb diets and toned bodies, teenagers and young adults alike often feel the pressures to conform to an ideal body image, especially in the months prior to spring. Eating disorder therapist Jan Taylor said she understands the increased pressures this time of year, but warns students not to fall into traps like crash-dieting and excessive tanning. \n“January and February are the months where people become very self-conscious of their bodies and begin to take drastic measures to improve themselves,” Taylor said.
“People go absolutely crazy over spring break.” \nAlthough crash diets may seem to deliver easy weight loss just in time for spring break, it can cause long-term dangers for the body. Low-carb diets can be especially harmful, Taylor said. \n“The problem is that carbohydrates are the body’s main source of fuel and eliminating them can set a person up for malnutrition,” Taylor said. “Most people don’t know that when you lose weight too quickly, you become overly dehydrated and begin to lose muscle. Similarly, diet pills can be hard on your heart.” \nYoung people hoping to lose weight from crash dieting might actually be gaining weight instead, Taylor said. Because their metabolisms are slowing down, their weight gain is increasing, she said.\nBut excessive tanning can be just as dangerous as crash dieting. If not starving themselves, young people are feeding the $2-billion-a-year tanning industry, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation Web site.\nBecause warmer climates are popular spring break destinations, people sometimes visit tanning beds for weeks before they leave to begin grooming their bodies for the white-sand beaches. But Health and Wellness Center Director Cathlene Hansen thinks young people should reconsider their trips to the tanning salons. \n“It is tempting to want to get a head start on tanning to look good on the beaches while it’s frigid here in Indiana,” Hansen said. “As with anything, the ‘quick fix’ just isn’t worth the greater health risk, whether it’s dieting, cramming for midterms or especially tanning.” \nAlthough the immediate outcome of lying in a tanning bed may look appealing, the damage being done can cause more serious problems to the skin in the future. Dr. Ravi Krishnan, assistant professor in the department of dermatology at the IU School of Medicine, encourages people to protect their skin. \n“As far as the dangers of tanning, the more exposure to ultraviolet rays you are getting, the higher your risk of skin cancer increases,” Krishnan said. “Tanning also results in photoaging of the skin.” \nAlthough it was previously believed that tanning machines were safer than outdoor tanning because of their “controlled” exposure, the UVA rays used are carcinogenic and tanning salons often exceed safe UV limits. Studies have shown that tanning beds actually increase the risk of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, Krishnan said. \nSeeking out safer alternatives in the preparation for spring break is a much wiser choice to assure long-termed health of your skin. Using spray tan and cream products are encouraged and most are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Krishnan said. \n“Even though some products may cause mild allergic reactions to individuals, over-the-counter products are usually safe,” Krishnan said. “Sunless tanners are definitely, without question, a safer alternative.” \nRather than harming the body to prepare for a few days on a beach, Hansen said healthy conditioning is the safer option. \n“I think the best way to prepare for spring break is getting a little time in the winter sun by exercising outdoors,” Hansen said. “A healthy diet, plenty of fluids and good exercise will give the skin a natural glow and the body a good form.”
