Some people have already given up with creams and lasers in relation to their unsightly stretch marks. Have these people completely given up? Not so. Many are actually going back to a pre-laser technology concept to “treat” their stretch marks. Of course, having stretch marks is not really like having a disease that you need to get some real medical attention. But you get what we mean, right?

Now, what are people doing about their stretch marks? The answer is so simple you might laugh out loud when you hear about it: tanning. That's right, the age-old habit of getting a bronze hue with the help of UV rays is fast gaining ground among those who have given up on other approaches. The stretch marks will actually stay where they are, but nonetheless, they will still be hidden to a certain extent.

While the darkened hue of the skin might be a sign of health for many people, it's time that we face facts before we go headlong to regular tanning to hide our stretch marks. Did you know that a tan actually implies skin damage, and not health? That's right, getting a dark tan actually means that skin was damaged or “cooked”, that's why it became dark.

Melanin is the natural substance in the skin that shields the human skin from excessive damage from direct sources of harmful wavelengths, such as ultraviolet wavelengths. The increase in production means you get a darker tan. But what actually is happening to the skin? UV or ultraviolet rays are short and powerful wavelengths that are emitted by the sun. The shorter the wavelength, the more powerful and damaging it is to the skin. The more damaging it is to the skin, the faster the body will produce melanin to protect the body's largest organ from complete burning.

Squeamishness aside, we should all accept the fact that this is what we get for wanting to hide stretch marks. What exactly do we get when we go to a tanning salon or a tanning booth? The salons themselves will tell you that everything is safe and has been tested, and that thousands of people go about their daily lives without a fuss or a muss after getting an artificial tan. But notice that with this spiel you never really hear what would be bombarding you within a tanning machine.

To keep it simple, you will be bombarded with either UVA or UVB, two types of ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light is what the ozone layer diminishes when the sun strikes the topmost layer of the Earth's atmosphere. Given that some of this filters down to the ground, the amount is decidedly less than the first time it struck the surface of the atmosphere.

Is it safe? The answer to this question will inevitably lead to a yes and a no. Yes, you are still safe for now, and no, because UV is still UV however you might dress it up, it still can cause premature aging and dangerous skin cancer. If you are still willing to undergo artificial tanning and you have assessed the risks, then it's time to strip down and step in a tanning booth.