The Dangers of the Sun and Tanning Beds

I remember the first time I used a tanning bed. I was fourteen years old and wholly unaware of the risk I was taking.  I was suddenly conscious of the obvious tan lines I had naturally developed over the summer. Insistent on correcting the imperfections, off I went to the tanning salon. My mom attended my first session to provide written consent, but after that, my sister was my tanning salon chauffeur. 

As my tan lines began to blend, I felt successful and validated in my decision. Thus, began an on and off again relationship with the tanning bed. I went through phases of going while leading up to special events, then prior to travel to “get a base”, even tanning on vacation if the weather turned sour, and eventually going regularly and year-round. I did this for about eight years before finally taking the time to educate myself on the risks. What previously had felt like a solution, quickly revealed itself as a danger that I had been inflicting upon myself.

When the skin is exposed to UV (ultraviolet) light, it enters the cells and causes both short-term and long-term health risks. 

Short term health risks: 

• “Sunburn” or red, dry, itchy skin

• Nausea

• Reactions to medications

Long term health risks: 

• Skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, actinic keratosis)

• Eye problems (eye melanoma, cataracts)

• Premature aging (wrinkling, dark spots, thick leathery skin)

Two types of harmful UV rays are emitted from the sun: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are responsible for deeper skin damage and tanning while UVB rays cause sunburn. Like the sun, most tanning beds provide both UVA and UVB radiation. However, tanning beds emit UVB light in smaller amounts lowering the risk of sunburn but increasing the risk of deeper skin damage. 

A common misconception is that tanning ahead of planned sun exposure can help “get a base” and prevent damage. This is incorrect. Every time the skin is exposed to UV light, invisible damage to the skin cells occurs. Additionally, people tend to not be as diligent about sun protection when they feel safer in the sun, leading to even more damage.

With each exposure, the damage to the cells accumulates. Therefore, the earlier someone begins to tan, the higher the risk of developing skin cancer at some point in their life. While this does typically occur many years after exposure, some tanning bed users have developed skin cancer as teens and early adults. 

Fortunately, in accordance with recommendations from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), many states have prohibited the use of tanning beds in minors, while the states that have not, do require parental consent. Unfortunately, this does not mean that these rules are always enforced. 

So, the next time you are looking for that sun-kissed glow, book a spray tan or give that sunless tanning cream you’ve been eyeing at the store a try. And remember, anytime you are exposing yourself to UV light, SPF is your BFF!