Each year in the United States, nearly 30 million people tan indoors. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, of these 30 million, more than one million people are diagnosed with skin cancer. Despite this, hundreds of thousands of people still visit tanning salons today. Skin tone and age don't matter when it comes to your chance of getting skin cancer. Among the many existing causes of skin cancer, ultraviolet radiation from tanning salons is by far at the top of the list. There are studies linking ultraviolet radiation to the deadliest form of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about one in five Americans develops skin cancer in their lifetime. Tanning is the result of injury and damage to the skin. It is the response when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation that causes the skin to produce extra pigments to protect itself from the radiation. This pigment makes skin appear darker and is what gives people the appearance of tan (Dangers of Tanning). The New York State Department of Health states that ultraviolet radiation is a form of energy from natural sunlight or an indoor tanning device. Ultraviolet radiation is classified as a human carcinogen and is not visible to the human eye. It is also the leading cause of skin cancer. Not only is skin cancer a disease in which malignant cells form in skin tissues, but it can occur anywhere in the body (NY State Dept. Health). The skin is made up of several layers, of which the two main ones are: the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the starting point of skin cancer and is made up of three types of cells: squamous (top layer), basal (middle layer), and melanocytes (bottom layer). The pigment darkens to form a tan... center of paper......tistics/diseases/cancer/skin/report/2009/>."Stats on Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer." Tanning information, articles, tips and reviews on tanning beds. Network. March 12, 2010. "Tanning booths: indoor tanning booths are safe." Women's Health Issues - Women's Health Questions and Answers - Women's Sexual Health. Network. 12 March 2010. "Information sheet on the risks of tanning". New York State Department of Health. Network. March 12, 2010. "World Health Organization: Tanning beds pose serious cancer risk - KDVR." Denver News, Colorado News, Weather, Sports & Traffic | FOX31 Denver-KDVR. Network. March 12. 2010. .