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Tanning Beds: The Safer Tan?

Published: Friday, May 1, 2009

Many people believe that tanning beds are safer than direct sun, but that is a myth. A total of 50,000 tanning facilities are used by 28 million U.S. citizens annually, and on an average day more than 1 million people visit a tanning salon. The popularity of artificial tanning has led to tremendous growth of the indoor tanning industry since beginning in the 1970s. Of those indoor tanners, 70% are Caucasian girls and women, aged 16 to 49 years.

The incidence of all types of skin cancer has increased over the past three decades in the United States. Increased skin cancer risk is associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Sunlight includes both visible and ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light consists of UVA, UVB and UVC rays. UVA rays cause tanning and wrinkling. UVB rays cause sunburns, aging, wrinkling and skin cancer. Although UVC rays do not reach the earth’s surface, all three rays are classified as probable human harming agents. The World Health Organization has stated that tanning beds emit both UVA and UVB. The UVB light in tanning beds is used to produce higher levels of radiation to speed up the effects of each tanning session.
A published study in a recent journal reported that study participants who used artificial tanning:

• Were 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma than people who did not use tanning beds.
• Were 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma compared with those who did not use the devices.
• Were more likely to develop basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma the younger they were when they began using tanning beds.

 

In 2004, the National Cancer Institute reported that women who use tanning beds more than once a month are 55% more likely to develop malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that any use of tanning beds was positively associated with melanoma. First exposure before the age of 35 significantly increased the risk of developing melanoma.

One particularly dangerous practice is the use of tanning beds as a “pre-tan” activity prior to vacation. Not only does this lead to extra radiation during the pre-vacation period, but it also leads to decreased use of sun-protection precautions during vacation as people falsely believe that their tan will protect against the harmful rays of the sun.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and a time to become aware of how to protect your skin. To learn more about the effects of the harmful UVA/UVB radiation and your skin health, please join the Cancer Institute’s Sun Screeners program at Messiah Lutheran Church on June 15 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for a Skin Cancer Awareness Program to include free skin cancer screenings. An additional Skin Cancer Awareness Program and free skin cancer screenings will be at the Cancer Institute at UT Medical Center on June 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

For more information or to register, please call 865.305.6055.

Read why tanning beds might be hurt you. 

For more information on sun safety and skin cancer, visit the Cancer Institute.

 

Resources
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. Vol. 14, March 2005.
Pediatrics. Vol. 121 No. 5 May 2008, pp. 1040-1042
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The World Health Organization