Tanning Bed Causes Cancer

Do Tanning Beds Really Cause Cancer?

There are no two ways about it- indoor tanning damages your skin and causes serious health risk. So, why do so many people choose to go to tanning salons? This is in part attributable to the advertising hype surrounding the tanning industry and the myths propagated by tanning salon owners.

One common misconception about indoor tanning is that UVA calibrated bulbs in tanning salons are safer than natural exposure to UVB light. Both UVA and UVB light (natural and artificial) can have potentially harmful side effects. In fact, UVA light penetrates the skin more deeply and damages the connective capability of the body’s tissue. Exposure to UVA light has been linked to melanoma, the most fatal form of skin cancer, immuno-surpression , cataracts and cold sores.

The effects of UV exposure are cumulative. Indoor tanning can compound the already negative effects of natural UV light. Over a long period of time, UV light hinders the skin’s ability to heal itself and regenerate. If you’ve been tanning for a long time, you may notice unwanted lines and wrinkles. You may also notice that your skin has acquired an unattractive tough and leathery texture. Over time, there is no amount of moisturizer that will be able to reverse this cosmetic damage. While the redistribution of melanin as a result of indoor tanning can minimally protect against further damage, this mechanism will eventually backfire over time.

While it is still too early to say whether tanning beds themselves actually cause skin cancer, excessive use can certainly put you at a higher risk. The three main types of cancer are squamous, basal cell and melanoma. Squamos and basal cell cancer are relatively curable if detected early, whereas melanoma is much more serious and often fatal. Basal cell cancer most commonly occurs on the face, head or neck, while squamous cell cancer can occur on the back of the hands, exposed scalp and lower lip. All three forms of cancer are a direct result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation.


Some common symptoms of skin cancer include the following:

 Sore or lesions that do not heal.
 Itching or bleeding skin
 A mole that has changed color or shape

If you have a history of skin cancer in your family or have particularly fair skin, you are at a greater risk for contracting this disease. It is particularly important that fair complected individuals avoid UV exposure, as their natural defenses against UV radiation are weaker than most. Applying sunscreen regularly, wearing protective clothing and avoiding the sun during peak times can help to prevent this harmful condition.

Tanning beds can cause skin cancer in the sense that they elevate risk factors associated with the development of the disease. However, many people still continue to tan indoors with no thought for the long term effects of this process. Hopefully, as standards of beauty are challenged and the public becomes better informed, the potential risks of indoor tanning will be taken much more seriously.

About the Author

Andrea Pellettiere has been has been a freelance writer for a number of years.  She is a regular a contributor to http://tanning-beds-n-tanning-lotions.com.

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Health Risks from Indoor Tanning
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Do Tanning Beds Really Cause Cancer?

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