Tanning beds can give you a golden glow that warms up pale or pasty skin and may improve your appearance, but are they safe? Before you book an appointment at a tanning salon, be sure you have information on tanning beds so you can make the choice that's best for your personal health.
Identification
Tanning beds are electronic devices that people use to tan their skin. People use tanning beds by lying flat inside the closed tanning bed while it is turned on. Tanning beds are often operated by tanning salons, which people visit for one or more sessions to achieve a tan. Some people buy tanning beds to use in their own homes.
Function
A tanning bed works by using ultraviolet radiation to stimulate melanin production in the skin, causing the skin to darken or tan. The ultraviolet radiation penetrates about 1/16 inch into the surface of the skin, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, so its affects are limited to the skin itself. Different people respond to tanning beds differently, so some people may tan more quickly or be more likely to burn when using a tanning bed than others.
Risks
According the National Cancer Institute, women who tan more than once a month are 55 percent more likely to develop skin cancer than women who bypass the tanning bed. Like spending time in the sun without the protection of SPF sunscreen, spending time in tanning beds increases your risk for skin cancer, especially if you are naturally fair-skinned, burn easily or have a family history of skin cancer.
Prevention/Solution
If you use a tanning bed, be sure to use an SPF sunscreen product that offers protection against radiation. The National Cancer Institute recommends that people forgo tanning beds entirely and opt for self tanner or spray tanner treatments instead.
Expert Insight
Whether you use tanning beds or not--but especially if you have used them--the National Cancer Institute recommends doing a monthly self-exam to check for skin abnormalities that could be early indicators for skin cancer. Check for any bumps or sores and take note of any changes in the size, shape or color of your moles. Enlist a friend to help check the skin on your back.
