I started this blog a little over a year ago and when
looking back on what has happened over the year, I think this has been a good
experiment. Over the last few months I have neglected posting because I have
been transitioning to a new job and working my old job until a suitable
replacement was found. I am happy to report, I finished training that suitable
replacement and I am down to one job now. So I have more time on my hands, I have been thinking about if I feel writing
about my tanning experience has been worthwhile and if I should continue. Based
on the feedback I have had from friends and strangers, I am going to keep
blogging, and I plan to put more effort into keeping it up because I believe my
experience has actually helped people.
I have been amazed at how many people have contacted me
after reading my blog, or have messaged me on Facebook after reading a comment
I have made on an article. I hear from people who have been diagnosed with
Vitamin D deficiency with levels in single digits or low numbers like my own
when I started tanning. This is a widespread problem and I can’t help but think
about the dermatologist testifying in Denver about how Vitamin D deficiency isn’t
all that common and it is just a red herring.
He was very wrong. I am just a
small time blogger and I have heard stories from dozens of people over the last
year that have the same deficiency story I had. I am not an isolated incident and I know that
because of the feedback over the year.
I have heard from people that tell me that their doctor
recommended tanning to treat their deficiency, but they are afraid to tan
because they think it is an automatic skin cancer sentence. They don’t
understand that moderation is the primary goal in a professional salon. After
reading my story, they have a little different perspective. I am not here to
sell anyone on tanning, I just want to spread the word that there is more to it
than what the media and medical industry want them to know. I want people to
know the other side and research the benefits of moderate, responsible tanning.
Then they can make a more informed decision about what is right for them.
There are some people I know personally that have decided to
tan in a professional salon because of my experience. They have come to me
asking questions about salons I recommend and how I got started. I have been
approached by strangers asking about how long and how often I tanned. I always
tell them to find a salon they are comfortable with and make sure they get a
tanning schedule based on their own skin type.
What worked for me will not work for everyone and a trained professional
would be better at helping with those kinds of questions than I would. I’m just
here to say that tanning is a viable option for people like me and that there
can be successes and benefits if that is the path they choose.
So I feel good about having had a little influence over
turning around some of the negative connections people make to tanning. I hope
to continue to tell my story and at least get some people to think twice before
just assuming the worst. Tanning worked for me, and I am not alone, it is time
our stories are heard.
