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Beware If You Are
Using Sun Beds!



Indoor tanning by the use of tanning device like sun beds is popular. It is estimated that 28 million Americans are tanning indoors annually and approximately 10% of the population of North Europe use tanning device on a regular basis for tanning purposes.



The Tanning Device

The most popular device used in tanning salons are called sun bed, tanning bed or tanning booths.

Natural ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface consists of approximately 95% UVA and 5% UVB radiation. Tanning bed use different tanning lamp which emits different composition of UVA and UVB. Many tanning device manufacturers are now offering relative amounts of UVA and UVB that mimic the natutal composition in sunlight.

How does tanning bed works? The tanning lamp emits UV radiation that causes the tanning. Tanning is the skin's natural reaction to UV radiation, the cells called melanocytes produces the brown pigment - melanin which darkens the cells of the epidermis (outermost layer of the skin).

Here are some claims commonly made about indoor tanning:

  • "Tan indoors with absolutely no harmful side effects."

  • "No burning, no drying, and no sun damage."

  • "Unlike the sun, indoor tanning will not cause skin cancer or skin aging."

  • "Tan year round without the harmful side effects often associated with natural sunlight."

  • "No harsh glare, so no goggles or eye shades are necessary."

  • "You can achieve a deep year-round tan with gentle, comfortable, and safe UVA light."

U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautioned that:

Tanning lamps have become a popular method of maintaining a year-round tan, but their effects can be as dangerous as tanning outdoors.

World Health Organization highlighted that:

Sun bed radiation can produce adverse health effects similar to those of natural sunlight, most notably in fair-skinned persistent users.



Is Sun Beds for You?

Studies have been undertaken to systematically assess the dangers of sun beds, and the picture remains equivocal. Sun beds for self-tanning purposes have been available for the last two decades and due to the long latency period for skin cancer and eye damage, it has been difficult so far to demonstrate any long-term health effects.

In general the sunlight or any source of ultraviolet radiation can damage the DNA of epidermal cells of the skin, triggering enzymes that race to repair the damage. However, these enzymes do not always repair DNA successfully and all this unrepaired damage can lead to mutations that increase the risk of skin cancer.

Repeated, unprotected ultraviolet radiation exposure can cause photoaging - wrinkles, liver spots and skin aging. Take note that there is no such thing as a safe tan. However there are alternative in sunless tanners.

Being informed about how to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation is the best defense against skin cancer and photoaging.



Precaution When Using Sun Beds

In a nutshell, exposure to UVA or UVB radiation can cause sunburn, eye damage and other health effects including an increased risk of skin cancer. If you choose to use sun beds or any tanning device, you should be aware of the hazards so you can take steps to minimize your risk.

The following steps will help minimize your risk:

  • Read the warning labels

  • Do not exceed the recommended time limit per tanning session for your skin type.

  • Because sunburn takes 6 to 48 hours to develop, you may not realize your skin is burned so allow at least 48 hours between each tanning session.

  • Start slowly and use short exposure times to build up a tan over time.

  • Always use protective eyewear that is recommended for the type of lamp that you are using.

  • To prevent heat burns, be sure there is a physical barrier such as clear acrylic sheet between you and the tanning lamp.



Who Should Not Use Tanning Device

The following groups are at particularly high risk of incurring adverse effects from UV-emitting appliances:

  • children (that is less than 18 years old)

  • people who have very fair skin

  • people who burn easily or tan poorly

  • people who have had skin cancer or have a family history

  • people who have a history of frequent childhood sunburn

  • people with lots of freckles or moles

  • people using medication that could make the skin more sensitive to UV light


Take a QUIZ! A tan acquired using a tanning booth will offer good skin protection against sunburn for a holiday in a sunny location? YES or NO?

The answer is NO! In reality, a tan acquired using tanning booths offers only limited protection against sunburn. It has been estimated that the tan offers the same protective effects as using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor(SPF) of only 2-4. But more importantly, a tan is no defense against long-term UV damage such as skin cancer.



Related Articles

For greater understanding about sun damage to the skin.

Health effects of ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure.





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