Indoor Tanning Beds: How Safe Are They?
A tanning bed is a cosmetic device that emits ultraviolet
radiation such as UVA and also UVB to generate artificial
tanning. Historically, medical devices that emit UVA were
developed and adopted for modern indoor tanning. Since UVA
(Ultraviolet A of the sun) has less biological effects such as
reddening of the skin than UVB (Shortwave Ultraviolet rays),
these early tanning beds were considered to be "safe". However,
it was soon realized that continued use of these devices could
also cause sunburns, wrinkles, skin cancer, and were not very
effective at inducing tans, so they were eventually phased out.
Today, devices that emit a combination of UVA and UVB are
predominantly used.
One of the strongest criticisms to the use of indoor tanning
beds occurred in December, 1994, when the American Medical
Association (AMA) adopted a resolution calling for a ban on the
sale and use of tanning equipment, except for medical purposes.
However, this resolution was rejected by the United States
Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an organization that regulates
the sale and marketing of indoor tanning equipment.
It has now been established that modern tanning beds and sun
lamps typically emit about 93% to 99% UVA radiation - three
times the UVA radiation given off by the sun. Tanning occurs
when the skin produces additional pigment (coloring) to protect
itself against burn from these ultraviolet rays. Continued
exposure to UV rays can result in a number of unwanted
complications such as eye injury, premature skin aging,
light-induced skin rashes, and chances of developing skin
cancer. UVB can even cause actual skin burning.
There are three types of common skin cancers - basal cell
carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma - and they are
all linked to UV radiation. The first cause, according to
medical research, is mutations caused the damage inflicted to
DNA. Secondly, UV also activates oxygen molecules that damage
DNA and other cellular structures; and lastly, localized
immunosuppression, that blocks the body's natural ability to
protect itself from cancer. The first two types - basal cell and
squamous cell - are treatable if detected early but malignant
melanoma is often fatal.
A study conducted in Sweden concluded that people who used
tanning beds more than 10 times a year were seven times more
likely to develop malignant melanoma than those who did not use
tanning beds as often, establishing the fact that tanning beds
are a major factor that contributes to the development of
malignant melanoma.
Other studies have shown that over exposure to ultraviolet rays
can also burn or damage the retina, and alter the structure of
the lens forming a cataract, which if left untreated may result
in complete blindness. Ultraviolet rays can also cause premature
skin aging since a tan is damaged skin that is more likely to
wrinkle and sag, and when in combination with certain cosmetics
and medicines, may cause adverse skin reactions such as rashes
and cold sores.
In spite of all the health risks associated with indoor tanning
beds, it is estimated that 28 million Americans are tanning
indoors annually at about 25,000 tanning salons around the
country. The indoor tanning industry in the United States also
continues to thrive, raking in as much as $2 billion a year.