Tanning Beds Are NOT a Safe Alternative to Sunbathing!

Tanning beds are not a safe alternative to the harmful rays of the sun. Studies have found that using tanning beds increases the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. One indoor tanning session can increase your risk of melanoma by 20%, squamous cell carcinoma by 67%, and basal cell carcinoma by 29%. It is estimated that the tanning industry makes about $4 billion per year.

About 97,000 cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year. Overall, melanoma is more common in men. However, cases in those under 40 are more likely to be in women, most likely due to the increased use of tanning beds among women in this age group. In the past, there was an average 20-year period from the time of greatest sun exposure to the development of melanoma. In recent years, melanomas have been diagnosed at younger ages. More melanomas are being diagnosed only a few years after exposure. Natural sun exposure and sunburns will add to a person's risk of developing skin cancer in their lifetime.

Both UVA and UVB (ultraviolet) rays can cause damage to the skin. Tanning bed light sources emit both. The UVB emitted by tanning beds is at a high enough level to cause melanoma. The high level of UVA emitted by the light sources is known to cause DNA damage by producing free radicals that contribute to cancer formation. In addition to cancer, UVA and UVB rays can cause long-term skin damage, such as premature aging, wrinkles, and dark patches (lentigos, sometimes called age spots or liver spots).

Tanning, both indoor and outdoor, causes more cases of skin cancer than smoking does of lung cancer. Many states and Washington D.C. have created laws to prohibit people younger than 18 from using indoor tanning devices unless it has been prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Learn more from the Skin Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society.