I’ve pondered possible blog topics for the past three weeks, and the best I can come up with (not related to the Global Credit Crisis, how much I hate school, or how poorly I function without caffeine) is a link from BBC Health News. Bear with me. This low-point can’t last forever.

We’ve heard or read the claims: having a little color on your face is good for you! Using a tanning bed is healthier than going to the beach! Sun exposure helps clear up blemishes!

Well, surprise, scientists have done a gazillion more studies and found that, actually UV exposure, from the sun or from a tanning bed is BAD. According to a study published in the Journal of Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research, exposure to UV radiation is the “most avoidable” cause of skin cancer.

Advocates are calling for the government to ban children using of tanning beds and advertising claiming that tanning beds are safer than natural sun exposure. They also want to get the word out that burning is the worst thing you can do for your skin’s health and dramatically increases melanoma risks.

None of this is surprising. But it does remind us all that an few minutes in the tanning bed every few days or weeks, while probably good for the law student’s psyche, is terrible for our health. We’re all probably doing enough that is bad for our health (caffeine, sleep deprivation, oreos for dinner, wine for dessert) that we’ve got to do what we can. Use sunscreen.