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Dangers of Tanning

Modern day tanning beds emit about 95% UVA and up to 5% UVB. That combination is especially dangerous. The UVB damages your DNA; and while the small amount coming from the bulbs usually isn’t enough to cause a burn, it is sufficient to do serious damage to your skin cells.

The UVA that comes out of tanning bed bulbs is far more intense than what comes from the sun.

— Whitney Bowe, MD, F.A.A.D.

The Hard Truth About Tanning

Many people don’t realize the dangers of using tanning beds. The truth is tanning beds are far more risky than sun exposure. Consider these facts

The World Health Organization has determined that UV rays from tanning beds are human carcinogens that cause cancer.
The more you tan and the younger you start tanning, the more likely it is that you will get melanoma. The increased risk of melanoma associated with tanning bed use is 59% for people whose first exposure to artificial UV rays in a tanning bed occurred before age 35 years. That risk increases with the number of tanning bed sessions per year.
Using a tanning bed for 20 minutes is equivalent to spending one to three hours a day at the beach with no sun protection at all.
Tanning beds emit 3-6 times the amount of radiation given off by the sun.
For most people, 5-10 minutes of unprotected sun 2-3 times a week is enough to help your skin make Vitamin D, which is essential for your health. Getting more sun won’t increase your Vitamin D level, but it will increase your risk of skin cancer. Safe sources of Vitamin D are milk, fish, some fortified orange juices, and supplements.

2.5 million teens use tanning beds each year including 35% of girls age 17. Many start as early as age 13.

Tanning beds emit mostly UVA rays. UVA rays penetrate the skin and damage your cells’ DNA at precisely the place where most melanomas begin. Tanning beds also emit some UVB rays, which increases your chances of getting melanomas as well as other types of skin cancer (basal cells and squamous cells).

Plain and simple: avoid tanning. There’s no such thing as a “healthy tan.” Tanned or burned skin is damaged skin, period.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO PRACTICE SAFE SKIN

Learn more about the dangers of tanning at these websites:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

World Health Organization

American Academy of Dermatology

Skin Cancer Foundation