Tanning beds, which are very popular with teenagers, are a known cause of many health risks. Like the sun, tanning beds subject your skin to UVA and UVB rays. Dr. David E. Fisher, M.D., expressed his belief that using a tanning bed puts anyone's health at risk to Teen Vogue magazine.
Cancer
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, adults using tanning beds have a 75% higher chance to develop melanoma which can ultimately kill. Squamous and basal cell carcinomas, which are types of skin cancer, have also been associated with using indoor tanning beds. Even though squamous and basal cell carcinomas are less likely to be fatal, the surgeries to remove them can leave lasting scars.
Premature Skin Aging
UVA rays penetrate the skin and even if you do not get burned in a tanning bed, the Food and Drug Administration states that the long-term damage done to the skin is the same as if you had been sunburned. UVA rays that penetrate into the skin can cause destruction at the cellular level according to the Health Central website. The destruction of the skin can also lead to a loss of skin elasticity.
Who Is At Risk
Teenagers are at the highest risk for developing cancer or skin issues due to the use of indoor tanning beds. Only half the United States have regulations regarding teens using tanning beds and due to the aggressive advertisement campaigns put on by tanning salons, teens believe that they are not hurting their skin or health by using tanning beds according to Teen Vogue. Some salons state that using a tanning bed is a safe way to get the recommended amount of Vitamin D but a teen's doctor can do a simple test and recommend a multivitamin for teens lacking vitamin D.
Anyone with a family history of skin cancer is also at a greater risk for developing skin cancer from the use of tanning beds. Dr. Vilma Cokkinides, Ph.D., the director of risk research for the American Cancer Society told Teen Vogue that there is no way to reverse the damage done by tanning beds but that over time the harm caused will diminish.
