My reflection in the mirror was ghostly -- so blinding that I could hardly adjust my eyes to the light. My skin was pale, borderline colorless. But like so many other college students, I dreamt of a dark, fit body for spring break.
I had to get a tan, and I had to do it quickly.
The signs on the windows of Celebrity Tanning promised fast change. They were neon and sexy -- so appealing that I couldn't resist a sneak peek at the office. The tanning salon could change the way I looked; it could transform me and save my spring break image.
I had to go in.
Kat Robinson, 18, an employee of Celebrity Tanning and an economics and finance freshman, welcomed me as I strolled into the room.
She explained that business had nearly doubled in the weeks prior to the spring vacation, especially among men and dorm students.
"It's been packed all day. We've had a steady flow of people since we opened this morning," she added. Eager college students account for about 85 percent to 90 percent of Celebrity Tanning's clientele, according to Robinson.
People crowded the entrance room. Young men in the waiting section sat with dark faces and looked at ease. There were women who looked equally as comfortable, as if they had made frequent visits to the salon. I felt out of place.
I asked one of the guys what you're supposed to wear in the booths.
"You just go in naked, man," he told me.
"You mean you don't even wear underwear?" I asked. "Is that safe?"
"Yeah, they disinfect the beds after every use. It's cool. The only things you have to worry about are getting burned and contracting skin cancer, but that can't happen from one or two visits."
The brochure for Celebrity Tanning says that outdated UVB booths are no longer in use and that the B rays (which are thought to cause cancer) are now filtered. Citing a 1979 study by Fritz Hollwich, the brochure also says tanning can be beneficial -- that vitamin D is processed during tanning and frequent bathing can even boost your metabolism.
But frequent exposure to rays can also cause skin cancer.
I was having second thoughts about tanning when my friend, Rebecca Hutcherson, a 19-year-old journalism sophomore, came out from one of the tanning rooms. She, too, dreamt of a spring break tan.
"Have you been here before?" I asked her.
"Yeah, but this is my first package," she said.
Rebecca wanted to be tan for a trip to San Diego. Even though she's a self-proclaimed anti-tanner, she dropped $50 on a two-week, unlimited tanning package. They call it the gold package, she said.
The beds in the salons have hard, plastic boards and UV rays that shine with intimidation. They look like closed caskets, ready to put victims to death. They are uninviting.
I asked Rebecca if tanning was worth it. I asked if dark skin was really that important during spring break, if it was worth the possible negative side effects such as burns and cancer.
"Yeah, I guess so," she said, "as long as you have a coupon. Do you think it's worth it?"
I looked in a mirror and once again saw my white body. I thought about spring break.
"You know, I don't think it is," I said, as I walked back to my car.
Ty Thompson is a journalism sophomore. Reach him at tyler.w.thompson@asu.edu.
