Tanning Beds: Is your tan worth your health?

Written by: Dr. David Bloom

California just passed a law banning minors from spending time in tanning beds.

The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, modifies current regulations which had allowed anyone between the ages of 14 and 17 to pay for yearlong sun-kissed skin with written permission by their parents.

Those that fought for the bill’s passage at the state capitol cited adverse health effects, including skin cancer, from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays as the reason for pushing through this new regulation.

How does a tanning bed work?

While German researcher Friedrich Wolff was studying the beneficial effects of ultraviolet light on athletes, he noticed a side effect: tanned skin. His discovery was brought over to the United States during the late 1970s.

Tanning beds emit ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) waves, similar to the rays of the sun, which in turn tans the skin by darkening the skin’s pigment melanin.

While exposure to some UVB rays is beneficial for humans and help keep vitamin D in the body at healthy levels, many scientists and researchers warn against excessive exposure.

For or against?

The World Health Organization warns against the use of indoor tanning beds, citing the increased risk in “the development of skin cancer, cataracts and other eye conditions” and the possible suppression of the immune system and premature skin aging.

The organization further classifies the beds as carcinogenic and recommends banning the use for children under 18. According to recent data, approximately 1 out of 5 teenage girls have used an indoor tanning bed at least once.

The Indoor Tanning Association agrees that there are risks for certain skin types and overexposure to ultraviolet light may have adverse consequences. Although visits are often for cosmetic reasons in the United States, the Tanning Association asserts the industry’s roots are therapeutic and many still visit for that purpose (such as for psoriasis or certain types of eczema).

Indoor tanning beds, the association argues, helps minimize the risk of a sunburn while still keeping tanned skin (not necessarily an accepted medical fact).

Alternatives

Spray tanning is an alternative to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays and can be done at home or by a professional. The worry with spray tanning, as with bronzing lotions, is keeping your “tan” even, especially around the joints.

Another alternative is to spend some time out in the sun, protected by sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. We do live in OC and you can visit the beach all year long without getting too chilly.

Is it safe or not?

Overall, there is no “safe tan.”  Any tanning induces some amount of skin damage and photo-aging.  And the more exposure to these harmful rays the higher one’s risk of cancer.   As in most of our daily choices we must weigh any benefits against the risks.  And at least now in California, such decisions are left to an adult.   Just as buying and smoking cigarettes are illegal for those under 18, so is choosing to use a tanning bed.