Tanning Beds And Cancer

Some people seem to believe that there is no link between tanning beds and cancer. People can be unaware of the dangers of indoor tanning. Spending 20 minutes in a tanning bed is roughly equivalent to spending 4 hours in the sun. 

Although sun beds use UV-A rather than UV-B rays, UV-A has the longest wavelength and penetrates more deeply into the skin than UV-B. It can penetrate the skin down to the dermis, beneath the four layers of epidermis. It is responsible for most of the visible signs of aging as it causes damage to collagen and elastic fibers of the connective tissue of the dermis. UV-A radiation does play a role in the development of sunburns and skin cancer. Tanning beds emit a large amount of UV-A rays to generate tans, the American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend their use.

Skin cancer is the world's most common form of cancer. If current trends continue about 45% of people who live to the age of 65 are likely to develop some type of skin cancer. In some cases the dangers of indoor tanning are ignored, the root cause is over use of sunbeds.

Tanning Beds And The Risk Of Skin Cancer

Today, tanning salons account for a $5 billion a year industry that just keeps on growing.

If you were to look at commercials, magazine advertisements, and many high society people, you see toned and tanned bodies. However, all of this is merely portraying a false sense of health and beauty. There are dangers of indoor tanning, causing burns, suppression of immune systems, damage to the cornea, cosmetic and drug-induced photosensitivity, and a higher risk of developing melanoma cancer.

Because there are no laws governing the use of tanning beds, people are free to use them as long and as often as they like. Keep in mind that the majority of tanning salons do have restrictions about usage but these are rules set up by the salon, not the government. Sadly, we see teenagers having restrictions on them for smoking cigarettes, which cause cancer, yet the link between tanning beds and cancer that has also been proven has no such structure.

The bottom line is that every person interested in developing a tan via indoor tanning needs to have a full understanding of the link between tanning beds and cancer so they can make educated and safe choices. For example, most tanning beds release very high and dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation, which has been shown through massive testing to cause premature aging while increasing the risk of skin cancer.

Tanning beds have become an extremely popular option for maintaining a year-round tan. Just remember that in exchange for that golden glow, the body is negatively affected. In fact, because tanning beds emit from 50% to 100% the amount of UV rays from natural sunlight, you would be safer lying out on the beach for a few hours. If you want to tan, be careful about the amount of time and the frequency of using indoor tanning beds.