Every day in the United States, more than one million people use artificial tanning booths. Most of them are young women. Half of college students and 17 percent of teenagers have used artificial tanning at some time.
Artificial tanning is dangerous
The tanning industry tells us that tanning can be good for your health, but this is false. Tanning is dangerous in both the short and long term. Ultraviolet radiation from tanning booths is just as harmful as that from the sun. Moreover, some tanning booths emit even more powerful ultraviolet light than the sun. Many tanning salons allow customers to program the booths or enter them without goggles. All of this increases the damage to skin and eyes.
Immediately, tanning can cause skin redness (erythema), sunburn, dry skin and itching. It can also cause nausea and trigger reactions to medications, including many of those used to treat acne.
Tanning causes premature aging of the skin in the form of brown spots and wrinkles. It can also damage eyesight, in the form of cataracts, ocular melanoma and other problems.
Finally, medical research has proven that artificial tanning increases the risk of all types of skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the most aggressive form. Skin cancer often does not develop until many years after exposure. However, some users of artificial tanning booths have developed cancer in their teens or shortly thereafter.
Frequently asked questions about artificial tanning
Is there a problem if we tan only on special occasions?
Yes. Every time we tan, we are damaging our skin and increasing the risk of developing skin cancer. People who have used artificial tanning booths before the age of 35 are more likely to get skin cancer than people who have never used them. The risk of melanoma increases with each use.
What’s the truth about “base tanning?” “I only use the tanning booth before a vacation to get a base tan that protects my skin.”
There is no such thing as a “base tan” that protects our skin from ultraviolet rays. Every time we tan, we damage our skin. When we go to a tanning salon before a vacation, we injure our skin. Therefore, what is more damaging is the false sense of security when we expose ourselves to the sun and do not protect our skin properly.
Is there a safe way to tan?
There is no safe way to tan. Tanning damages the skin and can cause cancer and premature aging of the skin.
Is it false that self-tanning creams and sprays are safe?
There are many “sunless tanning” creams and sprays that give the skin a tan-like appearance without damaging it. It should be remembered that these products do not protect the skin from the action of ultraviolet rays. They are only cosmetics similar to makeup and, therefore, it is still necessary to use a sunscreen.
Can tanning raise vitamin D levels?
It is true that ultraviolet rays help our body produce vitamin D, but since this radiation causes skin cancer, it is preferable and safer to get our vitamin D from a healthy diet or through vitamin D supplements.
What do experts think about artificial tanning booths?
Most health organizations, such as the World Health Organization, have established that artificial tanning causes skin cancer. This means that artificial tanning booths are in the same category as cigarettes. Today, artificial tanning is banned in many countries for people under 18 years of age. In some countries, such as France, a complete ban is being considered.