With spring break two days away, students going to warmer climates have been buying swimsuits, sandals and tanning sessions.

“Spring break is the most popular time for us,” said Kim Reklau of The Hot Spot, 628 Water St. “We have well over 100 clients right now.”

With such a rush to become a bronzed beauty, sometimes the consequences of tanning are overlooked.

“All tanning is damaging to your skin. The best thing would be to not do it,” said Richard Kark, senior physician with UW-Eau Claire Health Services.

With potential side effects, such as skin cancer, wrinkles and sunspots, tanning can be considered a high-risk pleasure.

“Moderation tanning risks are smaller,” Kark said. “Tan as little as possible before a trip, but don’t overdo it.”

Senior Jill Fisher said she thinks tanning is really relaxing, but agreed that moderation is pretty important.

Frequency is key in determining potential harms, Reklau said.

“When people start tanning, they need to start slow and start with little time,” she said.

Other advice for tanners include using a tanning lotion specially made for tanning booths and to always wear eye protection, Reklau said.

Most tanning salons provide goggles or some form of eye protection to clients to protect their eyes from the bulb’s rays, she said.

Sunlight contains two types of ultraviolet light — UVA and UVB, as stated on the American Cancer Association Web site. Tanning beds and sun lamps generally emit 93 to 99 percent UVA radiation, increasing the benefits of a tan. This is three times the UVA radiation given off by the sun.

“I got fried the first time I went tanning,” sophomore Sarah Bates said. “Now I’m a little more cautious with the amount of time I go.”

There are many reasons to tan besides before going on a sunny adventure. It’s not only relaxing, but it helps relieve some stress, junior Emily Farber said.

Senior Amy Peterson agreed with Farber, adding that she likes the look of a slight tan.

“You look healthier and, in the winter, it nice to have an instant heater on you,” Peterson said.

Another prescribed reason for tanning is for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder, as stated on the SAD Association home page. SAD is a form of depression that some people get due to a lack of sun in their lives. Some doctors prescribe going to tanning booths during the winter months to help aid in the healing process.

The Hot Spot offers tanning packages varying in price by the number of minutes you want to buy. The Tannery, 427 Water St., has packages that are valued on a points system in which 10 minutes equals half a point, said receptionist Lindsay Lee, a sophomore.

Some students who don’t want to dish out the cash for the packages can go for the cheaper and healthier glow of a fake tan from a bottle. Many beauty companies, such as Estee Lauder and Clinique, are offering self-tanning lines.

Self-tanning is a safer way to get that bronzed look, but some precautions are needed when applying. “If you don’t put it on evenly it can look streaky,” sophomore Britta Suppes said. “It’s safer then tanning beds, but it’s not as relaxing.”

Tanning has its pros and cons, but, for many, the positive of having tinted skin outweighs the negatives.

“I’ve heard all the bad stuff, but if you only go once a week I think you’ll be OK,” Peterson said.

Whether students want to be a dark shade of brown, or during these cold days don’t mind a normal winter glow, the risks can weigh the decision.”I only go once a week,” Fisher said. “Some people go everyday. I just don’t think that’s healthy.”