The Dangers of Indoor Tanning Beds and Lamps

In December 2005, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology warned against the use of indoor tanning salons that operate tanning beds and sunlamps. Experts, without yet any hard evidence, advised against going to indoor tanning salons because tanning beds and lamps emit ultraviolet radiation that can lead to skin aging and skin cancer. The Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) reacted violently as the announcement affected the then $2 billion industry. This was four years ago.

Now, the World Health Organization's (WHO) faction on cancer research, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), has confirmed that indoor tanning salons' use of tanning beds and sunlamps can definitely cause premature skin aging and can damage the skin's immune system that can ultimately lead to skin cancer. This happens when these indoor tanning devices emit UV rays that penetrate into the upper and lower layers of the epidermis. In fact, the IARC has already raised the category for tanning devices from "probably carcinogenic to humans" to "carcinogenic to humans."

Studies even show that natural outdoor sunbathing is even safer than that of using indoor tanning devices, such as tanning beds and lamps. This is because the intensity of UV rays being emitted by tanning beds and lamps is greater. In this sense, the skin is exposed to a greater concentration of UV rays than that coming from the sun. it has even been asserted that just ten sessions in indoor tanning salons can cause the skin's immune system to weaken considerably. This makes indoor tanning salon patrons to have a notably increased risk for developing skin cancer.

The scientific findings irrevocably stating that indoor tanning beds and lamps are carcinogenic devices have made their use obsolete. So what about the billion dollar indoor tanning industry? And what about the tens of millions of indoor tanning clients who still want to become tan without having to make the effort to sunbathe? The answer lies in the development of sunless tanning and self-tanning technologies that give a realistic and lasting tan without exposing the skin to harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer.

The indoor tanning industry has bounced back from the catastrophe presented by the labeling of tanning beds and lamps as carcinogens with the innovation of self-tanning and sunless tanning products that are not only safe to use, but also reverses the aging effects of UV rays. With such products as sunless tanning lotions, self-tanning anti-aging creams and sunless tanning mitts, Caucasians can still sport healthy tans without the risk of skin cancer and premature aging.