Safety of Tanning Beds Questioned

Although tanning beds have been marketed as a possible safe alternative to outdoor sun, evidence shows that ultraviolet (UV) rays are harmful, regardless of where they come from.

 

Three recent papers published in the journal Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research suggest that the UV rays in tanning beds increase the risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. According to the authors, UV rays harm the skin by causing DNA damage, photo-aging and skin cancer.

 

A review article by Marianne Berwick, an epidemiologist at the University of New Mexico, suggests that tanning beds are not safer than sun exposure. In fact, Berwick concluded that tanning beds may be associated with an even higher risk of melanoma. She calls for future studies and states "because of this uncertainty, the data do not support a claim that sun beds are safe, and such claims should be should be considered misleading."

 

These papers come just months after the Indoor Tanning Association launched a nationwide campaign questioning the link between UV exposure and melanoma. They claimed that tanning actually improved health since UV exposure helps the body produce vitamin D.

 

David Fisher, president of the Society of Melanoma Research and lead author of one of the studies, claims that these purported health benefits are overstated, and the potential risks outweigh any possible benefit. Fisher argues that people can maintain healthy levels of vitamin D by eating a healthy diet and possibly taking supplements.

 

"Whereas genetic and other factors undoubtedly contribute importantly to skin cancer risk, the role of UV is incontrovertible, and efforts to confuse the public, particularly for the purposes of economic gain by the indoor tanning industry, should be vigorously combated for the public health," David Fisher and his colleagues wrote.

For more information about tanning, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness database. 

Comments

[Jess]

I am totally surprised by the statement issued by the Indoor Tanning Association! This is just going to confuse people and prevent them from taking the risks associated with tanning beds seriously! Although there may not be a direct link between tanning beds and melanoma, they probably contribute to the risk! I think the Indoor Tanning Association went a little too far in saying something like this just for the sake of protecting their business. This would be like cigarette companies telling people that all of the sudden cigarettes aren’t as harmful as once thought and could be beneficial in preventing lung cancer!

[sharon]

I definitely agree that UV rays are harmful no matter where they come from -- the sun or a tanning bed. I’ve learned that ~15 minutes/day (not prolonged sun exposure) in the sun is good for a person because it allows the person to produce Vitamin D. I don’t know if staying in the sun (or UV exposure) for longer periods of time actually adds more benefit (more production of Vitamin D) or not; and therefore, for the Indoor Tanning Association to link the Vitamin D to tanning beds, I think, is misleading.

Personally, I like to tan moderately in the summer on a nice sandy beach with the waves rolling in the background, but with lots of sunscreen reapplied a few times! The sun makes me happy; much happier than any artificial light. I think others can relate and that is why there is such a thing called Seasonal Affective Disorder.

[PK]

I almost didn’t read this article since my initial response was to think it was another instance of a study to illustrate to obvious. Then I realized that this type of study is needed to disprove the absurd claims of the Indoor Tanning Association. Vitamin D is critical for the absorption of dietary calcium, and studies have shown that people with less sun exposure tend to have a relative vitamin D deficiency. However, supplementing our diets with this vitamin is a far safer alternative than increasing our risk of developing life threatening melanoma.

[jenna]

I think that when it comes to tanning, we need to seriously consider the risks and benefits. I rarely go tanning, except once in a while in the dead of winter when I need a bit of a boost after a long week of gray, cloudy days. It has been shown to help with vitamin D production, but the risk of vitamin D deficiency is much less severe than the risk of melanoma, and I think people really need to keep this in mind when thinking about going tanning for cosmetic reasons.

[Phil]

This article really is a reinforcement of daily protection from dangerous UV rays. I do not know where the Indoor Tanning Association got their information from, but as far as I know, there is no experimental basis for a claim that UV ray is safe. Though it may promote vitamin D production, tanning beds should be discouraged since research found that tanning beds have higher risk of melanoma than natural UV rays.

[Bridget]

Does anyone know if tanning places have any sort of guidelines and limits on how much tanning you can do? I have never been to a tanning salon, but a lot of my friends go -- and pretty frequently actually -- but I wonder if they are warned about the potential dangers? I'm definitely going to tell them about this article!

[liz]

I cannot believe the Indoor Tanning Association claim of health benefits. I do not know anyone who goes to a tanning saloon to get vitamin D. The potential risk outweighs any possible benefits of using tanning beds. It is much safer to get vitamin D from diet, 20 minutes in the sun or just use vitamin D supplements.

[K.Kelley]

Tanning beds can only be considered an alternative to outdoor sun without the fun. They cannot be considered safe from harmful UV rays. The Indoor Tanning Association is correct that exposure to the sun or UV rays help the body produce vitamin D, but a minimum of 15 minutes of sun exposure is required every day. The risk of getting melanoma far out weights the benefit of helping the body produce vitamin D. You can get vitamin D from a very healthy diet or with supplements. The daily recommend requirement for vitamin D was just increased in June 2008 from 400mg per day to 1,000mg per day. Forget the tanning beds and take vitamin D supplements.

[Tamara.S]

I think that tanning beds use artificial light and need to be properly understood in order to provide safe tanning! The advertisements' claims that these beds are totally safe in comparison to the sun are not true!!

A medical opinion should probably be sought before using tanning beds. This is because some conditions -- diabetes, lupus and herpes simplex (cold sores) -- are worsened by UV exposure.

[SUMA]

This blog states that “According to the authors, UV rays harm the skin by causing DNA damage, photo-aging and skin cancer.” I think that the Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research journal should be considered a reputable source.

I was not familiar with the Indoor Tanning Association or their campaign, so I decided to check out their Web site. What I found was that they did offer a FAQs page with a lot of information that I felt may be confusing to the public and the focus/resources seemed to be primarily on vitamin D and its benefits and not so much on the effects of tanning.

However, there was a question and answer section that touched upon this. The resources also discussed what may occur if one was vitamin D deficient. I found it interesting that they referenced Dr. Michael Holick: ”According to the nation’s leading expert in the field, Dr. Michael F. Holick, a professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics at the Boston University School of Medicine…”

I agree with David Fisher, president of the Society of Melanoma Research that “these purported health benefits are overstated, and the potential risks outweigh any possible benefit.” People can and should maintain healthy levels of vitamin D by eating a healthy diet and possibly taking supplements and whenever possible getting exposure from natural sunlight.

[Anna]

I certainly think that full information should be given to users of tanning beds, and after reading these reports on the dangers of UV rays, then it is up to them if they are willing to take this risk. I would not expose myself to these harmful UV rays.

It is disturbing to me that extensive investigations are not carried out on products before being offered to the public. Products that, in the beginning, seem to have positive benefits, in the end, often turn out being dangerous for our health.

[tara]

I think most people who tan do so because they believe the bronze glow or tan makes them appear healthy, and yet, how healthy is this all really? Set aside the UV rays’ damage to the skin, what about the possibilities for burns? It’s not just the UV ray’s harmful effects on the skin that should be questioned, but also other potential damaging effects on other areas of our bodies we may or may not know of.

[iris]

To answer Phil’s question whether the tanning places have guidelines regarding the limitation of how much tanning one can do, I don’t think that there is guideline; otherwise we would not see reports on high prevalence skin cancer among tanners. I believe there should be practical guidelines for tanning beds -- not only addressing the risk of cancer but also on hygiene (cleanness) to protect the customers.

[margie]

Ultraviolet radiation, sun or artificial, has always been a known cause of cancer. If that’s not convincing enough, check out the article recently published in the Herald Sun, a paper published in Australia. According to the article, 43 deaths were caused by melanoma, and 2,600 were the result of skin cancer diagnoses. The government there is debating about banning or limiting the use of tanning beds. This is a real and known risk. I’m surprised that the safety of tanning beds is even questioned.

[matt]

Although I do agree that going tanning in order to get vitamin D is a tad ridiculous, I don't think this is the only benefit of tanning. The effects of UV light on mood are also something to be considered. A patient with seasonal affective disorder could greatly benefit from a few minutes on a tanning bed. With the proper UV protection, an occasional trip to the tanning salon in the winter could really bring up someone's mood on a gloomy day.

[stacey]

I’d like to add to Anna’s comments. The toned and tanned bodies from tanning beds falsely portray sense of health. In addition to burns and the risk of developing melanoma cancer, the public should also be aware of other harmful effects like suppression of the immune system, increased photosensitivity caused by drugs and cosmetics and damage to the cornea. And if these effects on health don’t concern you, consider this -- if you have a tattoo, I’ve learned that tanning dulls the ink.

[sam]

Who wouldn't like to have a tanned, sleek and toned body? However, a tan is the body's response to DNA damage from ultraviolet radiation, which can cause sunburn, aging and wrinkled skin. So ladies, it is best to exercise restraint while exposing your bodies to them. Otherwise you might look older than your are.

[kelly]

I have been to tanning salons a few times, and the salon owners even note that many customers have tanned for years. If this were a real concern, why have tanning salons been in business for x amount of years? Tanning beds are safer than the sun because you are monitored and would not burn so easily. We should trust in newer technologies equipped in these tanning salons now. Like a diet, take in moderate portions!

[Becca]

Contrary to what some tanning lovers might believe, it seems that tanning beds do NOT offer a safe alternative to natural sunlight. Exposure to UV radiation damages your skin whether it comes from tanning beds or natural sunlight. Not only does the damage increase your risk of cancer but it also increases premature aging. Tanning beds emit UVA, which leads to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Tanning companies will not always tell the public the truth about the dangers of tanning beds. If you're looking for that healthy natural glow, sunless tanning is the safest alternative.

[maureen]

I have to disagree with Kelly. Tanning is not safer than the sun; it says directly in this article that "tanning beds are not safer than sun exposure" and that "Berwick concluded that tanning beds may be associated with an even higher risk of melanoma." Despite the belief that tanning beds are monitored for such risks, they are not. Just take a look at the people who are working at the salon; they are generally extremely tan (from their free tanning sessions) and are clearly not monitored themselves. They make a recommendation of how long you should go in based on experience, and that is the only monitoring that is done as far as I've ever seen in my few tanning salon experiences.

[dan]

I’ve never been to a tanning salon and have no plans to go anytime soon. Since there’s so little evidence of tanning salons actually being safe, the risk far out weighs the benefits. Although it’s sometimes difficult, especially in the winter, to get a natural tan outdoors, there are safer alternatives people can try. I’ve tried tanning spray with reasonable success.

[Deb]

Tanning is not safer than the sun. Anything added to the body in excess cannot be safe. As posted earlier, "Take in moderate portions," be it natural sunlight or at the tanning salon. The remarks of the Indoor Tanning Association need to be taken with a grain of salt. Of course, they want to promote tanning! They want to add to their $2 billion/year industry and encourage more than the 28 million Americans who get indoor tans.

[sandy toth]

How much more information do people need to get the message that UV rays - natural or artificial - can cause skin cancer? Both of my parents underwent procedures for the treatment of skin cancer on their faces this year, and they grew up in a time where the dangers of UV were not understood. It amazes me that in a time when we know what the hazards are there, that people continue to ignore the danger. It's also hard to believe that anyone with a conscience would make a living either selling or promoting tanning booths, knowing the danger.

I don't think we should live in caves, but there are steps we can all take to protect our skin -- using sunscreens and protective clothing, avoiding peak hours of sun exposure, teaching our children to do the same, etc. Lying down on a tanning bed isn't one of them. I'm assuming it's mostly young people who use these? It seems like the information is not trickling down to them, and we need to find other avenues to deliver the message about UV safety.

[K. Kelley]

Tanning beds can only be considered an alternative to outdoor sun without the fun. They cannot be considered safe from harmful UV rays. The Indoor Tanning Association is correct that exposure to the sun or UV rays help the body produce vitamin D, but a minimum of 15 minutes of sun exposure is required every day. The risk of melanoma far outweighs the benefit of helping the body produce vitamin D from the sun. You can get vitamin D from a very healthy diet or with supplements. The daily recommended requirement for vitamin D was just increased this June, 2008 from 400mg per day to 1,000mg per day. Forget the tanning beds and take vitamin D supplements.

[FC]

I agree with Sharon when she said no matter where UV rays come from they are harmful.

When I was in high school I did go to a tanning salon once, and I came out looking terrible and feeling terrible. My freckles had come out, my skin was blotchy and red, and I was very dehydrated. It was a terrible experience. I tried it because I suffer from Season Affective Disorder (SAD), and the gloomy winters depress me.

I have since found out that I can still reap the benefits of vitamin D safely with only 15-20 minutes of sun exposure daily. It’s supposedly enough to get vitamin D, yet not enough to cause any skin problems.

It does surprise me that although this is not new news, so many people want to look tan all year round so badly that they will jeopardize their health in order to do it.