Tanning beds are not safe, and there is no such thing as a safe tanning bed, tanning booth, or sun lamp. Indoor tanning can increase the risk of developing the two most common types of skin cancer — squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24% . Using tanning beds before age 20 can increase your chances of developing melanoma by 47%, and the risk increases with each use. Tanning beds have more UVA rays than natural sunlight, and these UVAs go deeper into the inner layers of the skin, which then damages the skin tissues and fibers. Every time you tan or burn, you also damage the DNA in your skin. The more you damage your DNA, the greater your risk of getting skin cancer. In emergency rooms across the United States, people are treated for burns, loss of consciousness, and eye injuries caused by indoor tanning.
Although some people believe indoor tanning is better than going out under the sun to get sunlight, sun beds even pose more UVA rays danger than the sun. Tanning beds provide some benefits, such as pain relief, mood boosters, relaxing agents, and vitamin D production. However, tanning beds used in moderation are suitable, especially during winter when sunlight is needed for the body.
Some tanning lotions contain ingredients that may react negatively with the materials used in tanning bed construction. Using a tanning bed is known to cause major health problems, including skin cancer. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from indoor tanning devices is thought to cause melanoma and other negative health consequences.
In conclusion, tanning beds are not safe and can increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Although some benefits come with using tanning beds, they should be used in moderation, and people with certain skin conditions should avoid them.
