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By Diane Griffith, Staff Writer
Which is safer - tanning in a salon or tanning in the sun? The answer is neither. Ultraviolet rays are ultraviolet (UV) rays, whether they come from lying on the beach or using a tanning bed.
In July 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer moved tanning beds from "probable carcinogens" into the top cancer risk category. They are now in the same league as such cancer-causing agents as tobacco and arsenic. When a person starts using tanning devices before age 30, his or her risk for skin cancer increases by 75 percent. Because young women are the biggest users of tanning beds, they are at the greatest risk. It's especially alarming that 25 percent to 40 percent of older teen girls are thought to have used indoor tanning services.
Skin cancer
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that more than one million Americans will be diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer in the coming year. Plus, about 69,000 cases of melanoma - the most serious type of skin cancer - will be diagnosed. This will account for the majority of skin cancer deaths in the year to come.
Other risk factors for skin cancer
Aside from overexposure to UV rays, there are other factors that can raise your risk for skin cancer. You are at a higher risk for non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer if you have:
- A fair complexion
- A history of exposure to coal tar, arsenic compounds, radium, pitch or creosote
- A family history of skin cancer
- Multiple moles or moles that seem abnormal
- A history of a severe sunburn when you were a child
More tanning bed dangers
Tanning beds can cause other health problems besides skin cancer. These include:
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Eye problems. In the sun, you can feel your eyes burning. In a tanning salon, they stay cool to the touch. UVA lights are stronger than the rays in sunlight. Overexposure to these rays can damage your retina and burn your cornea. It can also cause cataracts. The FDA requires tanning salons to supply customers with protective goggles. Closing your eyes or wearing sunglasses won't help.
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Wrinkling. Overexposure to UV rays causes thinning of the skin, wrinkling and sagging. Too much exposure in youth can lead to leathery, wrinkled skin when a person reaches middle age.
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Skin problems. With certain cosmetics or soaps, UV rays can cause burning or rashes. Certain medications (such as certain antibiotics) can make skin more sensitive to UV light. Tanning can also trigger cold sores in people who are prone to them.
Play it safe
If you want to tan, do it without UV rays. Safer sunless tanning alternatives are lotions, creams and sprays.DHA, a color additive that darkens skin, is FDA-approved as an over-the-counter cream, lotion or spray, though not as a full-body spray as used in tanning salons.
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This article was reviewed and updated
08-01-2009.
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