People think that tanning beds are safe. That you cannot get sunburn from a tanning bed. That they are a safe alternative to sunbathing. But studies have shown those claims are not true. There is no such thing as a safe tan. Skin injure at earlier ages is becoming more common with the use of tanning beds and lamps. More pre-cancerous lesions are being found in 20 and 30 year olds.
In the United States, 1 in 3 cancers is skin cancer. They are caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. The sun emits two kinds of ultraviolet light, UVA and UVB. Both cause wrinkled skin, cataracts, and damage to the retina of the eye. UVA goes deeper into the skin.
The majority sun lamps and tanning beds typically give off UVA radiation. These are less likely to reason sunburn, than UVB from sunlight. But, that does not signify they are secure. The lights act as a radiation multiplier. This increases the risk of skin cancer. UVA radiation is classified as a human cancer-causing agent.
The number of skin cancer cases has been increasing over the years. Experts say this is due to increasing exposure to the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps. More than 1.3 million new skin cancer cases are possible to be diagnosed in the United States this year.
The number of cases of melanoma is growing also. Studies have shown that people who used tanning beds before the age of 35, have a melanoma risk eight-fold higher than people who have never used them. Even occasional use approximately tripled the chances. Using commercial lights also more than doubled the risk. Melanoma, with a supposed link to UVA exposure, is frequently fatal if not detected untimely.
A 2002 study of participants who used tanning beds, found increases in other types of skin cancer also. Those who use the tanning beds were:
- 2.5 times more probable to develop squamous cell carcinoma
- 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma and
- more likely to develop basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, the younger they were when they began using these tanning devices
When out in the open to tanning beds, the skin becomes red right away. This peaks at just about 8hrs and continues for 24 to 48 hrs. Burning with blisters can take place with this type of tanning too, if not cautious.
When exposed to the rays, the skin tries to protector itself. It thickens and produces a substance called melanin. This pigment darkens cells and, over time, causes:
- premature aging of the skin
- an increased risk for skin cancer
- red, itchy, dry skin
- sagging, wrinkly skin
- burning of the skin and
- damage to the immune system
The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Dermatology have warned people for many years about the dangers of tanning. They desire to ban the sale and use of tanning equipment for non-medical purposes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention give confidence people to keep away from use of tanning beds and sun lamps.