Just like laying out in the sun too long, there are many dangers of using tanning beds. Tanning beds omit the same UVA and UVB rays as the sun. Sometimes, tanning beds will have lamps in them that actually omit more damaging rays in them than the sun does itself. We need to be careful when choosing to use tanning beds.

What Kind of Lamps Does Your Salon Use?

Most tanning salons have switched to much safer lamps and bulbs that emit both UVA and UVB rays in them to make for a safer, more balanced tan. However, some salons do still use lamps that omit mostly UVB rays, which are the most dangerous. Ask your salon owner what kind of lamps and bulbs they use and how much UVA and UVB rays they give off. You might be better off going to a different salon.

Dangers of Ultraviolet Rays

The sun naturally gives off both UVA and UVB rays, which causes damage to our skin. Both the sun’s rays and a tanning bed’s rays can and does cause skin damage, and if exposed for periods of time over years, it can cause skin cancer. A tan is actually one sign of skin damage, just as a sunburn is. It can also cause damage to your eyes, your immune system, and more. However, skin cancer is the most common risk factor in using tanning beds, especially for those with naturally fair skin and/or red hair. That does not mean that those of darker colored skin tones are off the hook. We should all take the same precautions when using a tanning bed. There are three types of skin cancer tanning can cause. These include Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Squamos Cell Carcinoma.

Increasing Risks of Skin Cancer

Years before, skin cancer was mostly seen in the elderly. However, more and more teens are getting skin cancer probably due to the overuse of tanning beds. The World Health Organization along with the National Institute of Health released a statement about this very problem saying that they do not recommend the use of tanning beds in anyone under the age of eighteen.

Although there are no laws in place for the use of tanning beds, most tanning salons do enforce their own rules about tanning. Stay safe and healthy.