While tanning beds offer quick cosmetic results, the potential health risks, including skin cancer & premature aging, are substantial. Many health organizations recommend avoiding them entirely in favor of safer alternatives, such as sunless tanning lotions or sprays. These are some health concerns you may want to consider before laying in a tanning bed...
UV Radiation- Tanning beds use ultraviolet light, primarily UVA & UVB rays, to darken the skin. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, causing tanning, but also contributing to skin aging & cancer, while UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburns & also contribute to skin cancer.
Increased Cancer Risk- Tanning beds significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, & squamous cell carcinoma. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), indoor tanning is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it's known to cause cancer in humans.
Melanoma Risk- Using a tanning bed before the age of 35 can increase the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by up to 75%!
Premature Aging- Frequent & even mild use of tanning beds can lead to premature skin aging, known as photoaging, which includes the development of wrinkles, fine lines, leathery skin, dark spots & pigmentation issues due to the breakdown of collagen & elastin in the skin.
Eye Damage- Exposure to UV radiation from tanning beds can harm the eyes, leading to photokeratitis (inflammation of the cornea), cataracts, & even long-term damage to the retina. Eye protection is essential but often not adequately used. Photokeratitis is often referred to as "snow blindness" when caused by sun reflection off snow, but it can also happen from direct UV exposure in tanning beds. It is a painful condition with symptoms like redness, tearing, pain, blurred vision & a feeling of grit or sand in the eyes. Cataracts are cloudy areas that develop in the eye's lens & can lead to vision impairment. UVB rays are a significant factor in cataract development. Prolonged UV exposure from tanning beds can accelerate the formation of cataracts. People who wear contact lens may have an increased risk of eye irritation & infection if they use tanning beds. It is recommended to remove contacts before tanning to avoid complications. Some users experience temporary blurriness or light sensitivity after using tanning beds due to the intense UV exposure. This can be disorienting & may indicate the onset of damage to the cornea or retina. However, the effects of eye damage from UV radiation may not be immediately noticeable. Serious eye conditions can take years to develop, making the early consequences of UV exposure in tanning beds easy to overlook. Unfortunately, there are more conditions than just cataracts & photokeratitis that come from the use of tanning beds. Chronic exposure to UV rays from tanning beds can increase the risk of macular degeneration (MD), a major cause of blindness. UV radiation is also the leading cause of Pterygium (Surfer's Eye). This is the growth of tissue on the white part of the eye that can extend onto the cornea, potentially affecting vision.
Addiction Risk- Some individuals can develop a dependence on indoor tanning, a condition sometimes referred to as tanorexia. People with this condition feel compelled to tan frequently despite knowing the risks, likely due to the release of endorphins caused by UV exposure. Making it as dangerous as any other addiction type.
Not Safe Source of Vitamin D- A lot of people use tanning beds in the belief that it helps the body produce vitamin D. However, the UV radiation in tanning beds is not a reliable or safe source of vitamin D. The risks far outweigh any potential benefit. It is much safer to obtain vitamin D from diet or supplements. There is also a common misconception about tanning beds & that they offer a "controlled" or "safer" way to tan compared to outdoor sun exposure. However, the intensity of UV rays in tanning beds can be up to 15 times stronger than the midday sun.
Impact on Skin Health- Tanning beds cause the production of free radicals in the skin, which can damage DNA & lead to mutations that cause cancer. Tannin beds also weaken the skin's immune response, making it harder to repair damage & fight infections or even tumors. People with fair skin/ freckles are particularly at risk when using a tanning bed. This is because tanning beds increase melanin production, which darken the skin temporarily, but repeated exposure can cause irreversible skin damage regardless of skin tone.
Pregnancy Risks- Pregnant women are advised to avoid tanning beds, as the UV radiation can harm the skin & increase the risk of hyperpigmentation (melasma), a condition common during pregnancy. This condition involves dark patches of skin, particularly on the face & this can be worsened by UV exposure from tanning beds. Overheating in tanning beds are another safety issue, as high body temperature is dangerous for the developing fetus. Lying in a tanning bed can affect blood circulation & potentially lower blood pressure, which may cause dizziness or fainting, especially during pregnancy when blood pressure can already fluctuate. Pregnant women often experience changes in circulation, & laying flat on the back in a tanning bed may reduce blood flow to the heart & baby.
