Self-image is an important thing for many people, but is it worth all the risks? In 2012, 8,650 people died from melanoma, each person who has or has used an indoor tanning bed has a 74% greater risk of contracting melanoma than someone who has never tanned before (“Skin Cancer Foundation”). Tanning beds were actually invented by accident; they were initially created to provide more vitamin D to people who didn't get enough from being outside. This lamp, used to help people who needed vitamin D, soon became something used primarily to stimulate people's thoughts about their appearance. Incredibly, in the past, tanning was not considered a good thing like it is in today's culture. Being tanned most commonly meant they were lower class and always worked outside. If anything, people wanted a pale complexion. Tanning is very different today than in the past and is a never-ending discussion among people. Over the history of tanning, it has evolved a lot. In today's world tanning beds have become very popular and common among teenagers and even older adults. According to "aspentan.com", the first form of tanning was a lamp invented in Germany in 1900 ("Tanning Truth"). The main purpose of tanning beds was to help people who did not have enough vitamin D in their bodies. Over the years, tanning has been taken to a whole new level. People in the past tanned to actually help their health and get more vitamins, while today it is proven that tanning negatively affects health when real tanning beds came into being they were very different from today's tanning beds."These beds Original American tanners were not developed with the technology we see today... middle of paper......length of bed you use them in both play a big role in the risks you are exposing your body to Works Cited." History of Indoor Tanning." Help Your Skin, Tan Safely, n.d. Web, Nov. 11, 2013. HUTCHISON, COURTNEY and ABC News Medical Unit via Good Morning America. "A Healthy Tan: Darker Skin Is Considered More attractive." ABC News Network, n.d. Web. November 13, 2013. "Indoor Tanning Is Physically Addictive, Study Says; UV light activates brain's reward centers." New York Daily News. Np, nd Web. November 18, 2013. “"Safe" tanning beds? Think again." The Dr. Oz Show. Np, nd Web. November 17, 2013."Skin Cancer Foundation." The Tale of Tanning. Np, nd Web. November 11, 2013."Skin Cancer Foundation." Indoor Tanning Increases Melanoma Risk by 74 Percent.Np, nd Web November 06, 2013. "The Truth About Tanning".. 2013.