More than 1 million people visit tanning salons each day in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA). Adolescent girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 29 make up the majority of tanning salon customers. The AADA says skin damage is among the risks associated with indoor tanning.
UV-A & UV-B Radiation
All types of indoor tanning equipment (beds, lamps, bulbs, booths) send out ultraviolet (UV)-A and UV-B radiation, according to the AADA. The amount of radiation emitted during indoor tanning is comparable to that of the sun, and in some cases the strength may be greater. Proponents of indoor tanning devices claim they are less dangerous than sun tanning because the intensity of UV radiation and the time spent tanning are controllable. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says there is no proof for this argument.
Indoor Versus Outdoor Tanning
The FDA says sunlamps may be more damaging to the skin than the sun because they can be used at the same high intensity year round, whereas the strength of the sun's rays will fluctuate depending on time of day and time of year. The FDA requires a sunlamp product's label include a recommended exposure schedule of no more than three sessions during the first week of use.
Damaging Effects
Indoor tanning enthusiasts may believe a tan gives their skin a "healthy" glow. But FDA scientist and international expert on UV radiation and tanning Sharon Miller says a tan is actually indicative of skin damage. Excessive exposure to UV radiation during indoor tanning leads to premature aging of the skin. Indoor tanning can cause a number of problems, including eye damage (cataracts), immune suppression and ocular melanoma (melanoma of the eye). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the International Agency of Research on Cancer panel, UV radiation artificial sources (tanning beds and sun lamps) are known carcinogens (i.e., cause cancer).
High-Risk Practices
According to the FDA, tanning beds increase the risk of skin damage, and people who fail to take certain precautions are at even greater risk. For example, failing to wear protective eyewear can cause temporary and in some cases permanent eye damage. Individuals who don't adhere to manufacturer-recommended exposure times for their type of skin are more prone to skin damage.
Restrictions
The American Academy of Dermatology Association is opposed to indoor tanning. It favors a ban on the production and sale of indoor tanning equipment for nonmedical reasons. According to the FDA, some states are considering laws that would prohibit minors from using tanning beds.
