For years the effects of tanning beds have been debated by health care officials. According to the World Health Organization, UV emitting tanning beds rank on the same list as plutonium in cancer- causing forms of radiation. There is no doubt that tanning beds have an adverse effect on the body. However, these side effects may be more unusual and problematic than you may have once thought.
Premature Aging
KidsHealth.org reports that about 80 percemt of people under 25 think that they look better with a tan. As a result, people have been baking themselves in the sun and tanning beds for a number of years. This frequent tanning has a serious effect on a person's skin. According to The American Academy of Dermatology, tanning beds can cause premature aging. This can result in skin that wrinkles earlier than it should and may even appear leathery. People who frequently use tanning beds to maintain a certain skin tone are at an increased risk for premature aging. With prolonged use of tanning beds, a person's skin may be irreversibly damaged even if he or she stops using the tanning bed. No amount of cosmetic surgery or miracle lotions can restore skin to its previous state.
Skin Cancer
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a recent study from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, England, reports that tanning beds are a direct link to the most dangerous form of skin cancer--melanoma. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that melanoma appears to be caused when ultraviolet (UV) rays found in tanning beds break down the genetic codes in the skin cells. This leads to genetic mutations in the skin, and cancerous lesions such as melanomas can develop.
Immune System
Tanning beds can have an impact on the body's immune system. According to KidsHealth.org, UV light can penetrate through the skin and into the delicate blood vessels and nerves that are found underneath the skin. Because of the damage to these sensitive tissues, a person's immune system can be damaged, making it more difficult to fight off serious diseases such as cancer. It can result in more frequent illnesses and decreased ability to perform usual tasks. It may even lead to premature death.
