Indoor tanning's popularity began in the northern countries of Europe in the 1970s. These sun-deprived Europeans used sun lamps to receive ultraviolet rays when it wasn't possible to get it from the outdoors. In the late 1970s, Americans caught on, and the first indoor tanning facility opened. During the 1980s and 1990s, indoor tanning popularity grew exponentially, and today there are over 25,000 indoor tanning facilities across the United States. Potential users of indoor tanning should be aware of the facts about indoor tanning before using one of these facilities.
Function
Indoor tanning is a cosmetic service. Indoor tanning gives users tanned skin, which is attractive to most people. Some people use indoor tanning regularly to keep skin dark year-round, while others use tanning beds to prepare for a single event, such as a formal dance or a trip to the beach.
Significance
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), over one million people use indoor tanning beds daily. Caucasian girls and women aged 16 to 29 are the largest group to use indoor tanning, making up almost 70 percent of indoor tanners. The AAD found that more than 28 million people tan indoors yearly; 2.3 million of the tanners are teens. The estimated revenue of the indoor tanning industry is $5 billion, which is up 500 percent since 1992.
Warning
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, indoor tanning prior to turning 35 raises the risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent. Several studies show that it also increases the risk of non-melanoma cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The United States Department of Health and Human Services and the International Agency for Research on Cancer declared exposure to ultraviolet rays from sun or indoor tanning lamps as known carcinogens, which are cancer-causing agents. The AAD also lists premature aging, wrinkles and immune system problems among indoor tanning risks, as well as eye damage such as ocular melanoma and cataracts.
Considerations
The United States Senate is considering a 10 percent tax on all indoor tanning. This revenue is to discourage individuals from using tanning beds, since evidence proves it is unhealthy and leads to several health problems as well as to raise money for the government. The Senate earmarked the funds to go toward health-care funding.
Misconceptions
Although indoor tanning does help the body produce vitamin D, there is no reason to get into a tanning bed to accomplish an increase in this vitamin. The AAD insists that all the body needs in order to produce the correct amount of vitamin D is a healthy diet and supplements if necessary. The AAD does not recommend exposure to ultraviolet rays to increase production of vitamin D, and considers the risk of cancer to far outweigh the benefits of any increase in vitamin D from tanning.
Benefits
According to the Indoor Tanning Association, a group who represents the interests of indoor tanning manufacturers, distributors, indoor tanning facility owners and members from the indoor tanning support industries, there are benefits to indoor tanning. Not only does the Indoor Tanning Association list vitamin D increases in the benefits of indoor tanning, but also includes psychological benefits from increased production of serotonin and endorphins, tanning without burning and control over ultraviolet exposure.
