The Truth About Indoor Tanning

Which is safer - tanning in a salon or tanning in the sun? The answer is neither. Ultraviolet rays are ultraviolet (UV) rays, whether they come from the beach or a tanning bed.

There are two types of UV light - UVA and UVB. UVB lights were used in older tanning salons, but caused burning. Now, most salons use UVA lights. Because UVA lights don't cause burning, some people believe that tanning salons are now safe. However, UVA rays are still linked to skin cancer.

Eye problems

In the sun, you can feel your eyes burning; in a tanning salon, they remain cool to the touch. UVA lights are stronger than the rays in sunlight. Overexposure to these rays can damage your retina and burn your cornea. It can even cause cataracts.

The FDA requires tanning salons to supply customers with protective goggles. Closing your eyes or wearing sunglasses won't help.

Wrinkling

Overexposure to UV rays causes thinning of the skin, wrinkling and sagging. Too much exposure in youth can lead to leathery, wrinkled skin when a person reaches middle age.

Skin problems

With certain cosmetics or soaps, UV rays can cause burning or rashes. Certain medications (e.g., birth control pills or antihistamines) can make skin more sensitive to UV light. Tanning can also trigger cold sores in people who are prone to them.

Skin cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), more than one million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer this year, and more than 59,000 with melanoma. Women who use tanning beds are 55 percent more likely to develop malignant melanoma - the most deadly form of skin cancer - than others. Ultraviolet radiation is a definite risk factor for non-melanoma skin cancers.

There are three types of skin cancer. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers can be treated if caught early. The third type, melanoma, can be deadly.

Precautions

The National Cancer Institute recommends that you stay away from tanning salons. Safer sunless tanning alternatives are lotions, creams and sprays. DHA, a color additive that darkens skin, is FDA-approved as an over-the-counter cream, lotion or spray, though not as a full-body spray as used in tanning salons.

Related Articles Skin Cancer, Non-Melanoma What Causes Skin Cancer? Treating Skin Cancer Making Sense of Sunscreen

External Sources Federal Trade Commission U.S. Food and Drug Administration National Cancer Institute U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - womenshealth.gov

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.

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