Unhealthy Glow: The Dangers of Tanning Beds

Before you hop in a tanning bed to get a little color on your skin, consider this: “There is just no such thing as a safe tanning bed visit,” says dermatologist Matthew Janik, MD.

In fact, using a tanning bed even one time before the age of 35 raises your risk of developing melanoma by a stunning 75% — and every visit after that adds to your risk.

Let’s take a closer look at the health concerns connected to tanning beds.

Why tanning beds are bad for you

Tanning beds try to mimic the blazing sun by emitting ultraviolet (UV) radiation, typically in UVA wavelength rays. These rays cause tanning by penetrating deep into your skin and darkening pigment.

But UVA rays don’t just leave a little color. They leave damage, too — especially in the high concentrations seen in tanning beds.

Here’s the harm they can cause.

1. Increased risk of skin cancer

Studies have linked tanning bed use to an increased risk of all forms of skin cancer.

We’ve already mentioned the link between tanning beds and melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Indoor tanning also increases your risk of squamous cell carcinoma (by 58%) and basal cell carcinoma (by 24%), reports the American Academy of Dermatology.

The risk is so great that the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Cancer Research classifies UV-emitting tanning devices as a cancer-causing carcinogen on the same level as asbestos and tobacco.

Many connect a rise in skin cancer cases among younger people — particularly among younger women — to tanning bed use. Melanoma cases are increasing faster in the under-30 crowd than in any other age group, according to the Melanoma Research Foundation.

“It’s hard to know exactly what to attribute that increase to, but probably the biggest thing we’re seeing is that younger women are the ones most likely to be using tanning beds,” says Dr. Janik.

2. Eye problems

You know those little plastic goggles that cover your eyes during a tanning bed session? They might not be enough to protect against the ultra-high concentrations of UV radiation toasting your body.

Tanning bed use can damage the internal structure of your eyes and eyelids, putting you at increased risk for conditions like:

• Cataracts
• Ocular melanoma (eye cancer)
• Photokeratitis (sunburn of the eye)
• Macular damage (including macular degeneration)
• Pterygium (surfer’s eye)

3. Premature skin aging

Most people go tanning because they think the “glow” it provides makes them appear younger and healthier. But it’s safe to say that the long-term effect of tanning is not the look you’re going for.

Deep-penetrating UVA rays can damage the collagen and elastin in your skin. Eventually, that can cause dark age spots, deep-set wrinkles and leathery skin — adding years to your appearance.

“The more UV exposure you get, the more photoaging you do to your skin,” explains Dr. Janik.

Are tanning beds worse than the sun?

Both tanning beds and the sun emit harmful UVA rays — but tanning beds emit far more of them. In fact, older yet oft-cited research shows that tanning beds can emit 10 to 15 times more UVA rays than the sun.

“Tanning beds are just as harmful as the sun, if not more harmful,” emphasizes Dr. Janik.

So, what’s the best way to keep your skin healthy and looking its best?

Protect it.

You can do that by taking precautions — like wearing sunscreen, protective clothing and sunglasses — whenever you’re in daylight.

But another positive step for your skin is simply resisting the urge to lie inside a tanning bed for any amount of time.