A recent study found significantly higher levels of a DNA damage marker in skin exposed to small and large amounts of tanning bed radiation.

This marker is also found in skin exposed to sunlight. Finding the marker after exposure to tanning bed radiation suggests that sunlight and tanning beds both harm the skin in similar ways.

Manufacturers of tanning beds and many consumers have believed tanning beds are safer than sunlight. Radiation from tanning beds is 95%UVA, 5% UVB. UVA causes the tanning, while UVB causes sunburn and skin damage. Sunlight contains a much greater percentage of UVB.

It is interesting to note the presence of the DNA damage marker not only after ten tanning bed exposures, but also after just one. This may occur because a 30 minute exposure to to tanning bed radiation equals that of a whole day at the beach.

Older tanning beds produced UVB. The recent changes by manufacturers to 95% UVA radiation was accompanied by reassurances to consumers of increased safety. This study strongly suggest otherwise.

These results imply the exposure to tanning bed radiation will have the same long term effects as prolonged sunlight exposure: wrinkles, thickened skin, sun spots, actinic keritosis, and increased passivity of cancerous changes.

References

New Study Links Tanning Beds with Skin Cell Damage, AAPA News, July 15, 2001, p. 5

Tanning Salon Exposure and Moslecular Alterations, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, May 2001, pp. 775-780.

See also

American Academy of Dermatology, 888-462-DERM