Can You Get Skin Cancer From Tanning Beds?

There is a fascination with achieving the perfect tan and a golden glow. However, did you know that tanning beds use harmful cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) light, just like the radiation from the sun? If you use tanning beds regularly, damage from the UV light can build over time and eventually lead to skin cancer.

A recent study in the journal JAMA Dermatology showed that indoor tanning rates are finally declining. However, melanoma remains the most common cancer in women ages 25–29 and the second most common in ages 30–34, and some of these cases are still due to tanning bed use.

Why Should You Avoid Tanning Beds?

While most people know about the harmful effects of the sun on your skin, many may not know that indoor tanning is even worse for your skin. The World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified ultraviolet light emitted from tanning beds as carcinogenic to humans. Tanning beds have been placed in the same category of carcinogens as radium and plutonium. Moreover, using tanning beds can triple your chances of developing skin cancer.

Tanning can also be an addictive habit. This is likely because tanning releases endorphins – chemicals that can relieve pain and produce a feeling of happiness. Some people continue to visit tanning studios even after a skin cancer diagnosis.

Remember that making lifestyle changes and protecting your skin are conscious decisions you must make if you want to minimize your risk of skin cancer.

How Do Tanning Beds Cause Skin Cancer?

When UV rays from the sun or tanning beds penetrate the lower layers of your skin, it prompts the skin cells to create a brown pigment called melanin, which darkens the skin to protect it from further sun damage. This darkening is a by-product of the protective process and results in your skin being tanned. At the same time as the pigment is produced, the cells are getting damaged, thus increasing the risk of skin cancer.

Tanning Bed UV Rays and Melanoma

While you may enjoy the tan and its lovely glow, it also has more unfortunate consequences. Sustained exposure to intense UV rays can change the DNA in your skin cells and result in cancerous growth.

Each time you get in a tanning bed, your risk of developing skin cancer increases. Furthermore, tanning beds can put you at high risk for the most dangerous of skin cancers, melanoma.

Studies show that exposure to UV radiation is associated with approximately 65% of melanoma cases and 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Are Tanning Beds Safer Than the Sun?

People often think that tanning indoors is safer than staying out in the sun. Sadly, tanning studios usually promote this false idea.

Evidence suggests that indoor tanning can be even more dangerous than tanning caused by the sun. This is because indoor tanning exposes your skin to higher levels of UVA light than natural sunlight, which is more intense than UV rays and penetrates the skin deeper.

While any type of UV exposure is harmful to your skin, tanning beds tend to pose a much higher risk for the onset of skin cancer.

Using Tanning Beds at a Young Age Increases Skin Cancer Risk

Skin cancer may seem like a disease that only affects older people, but the reality is that it affects many young people as well. Melanoma is the most common type of skin cancer seen among people aged 25 to 29 and is also common in the 15 to 29 age group. Today, melanoma is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women aged 25 to 30.

According to the IARC, using tanning beds before the age of 30 increases your risk of melanoma by 75%. Other studies suggest that women who use tanning beds even once are six times more likely to develop melanoma in their 20s than women who have never used a tanning bed. Because of the serious risks associated with indoor tanning, several states in the US have banned its use for minors.

Ask yourself this: Is your tan worth getting skin cancer over? We believe the answer is quite simple.

How to Get the Indoor Tanning Look Without the Bed

If you still crave that tanned look, the only truly safe way to sport a golden glow is with a self-tanning product. The active ingredient in self-tanners is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is FDA-approved since it is not harmful to the body. DHA has been FDA-approved and is safe for the body, as it doesn’t involve harmful UV exposure. Self-tanners are available in various forms—lotions, sprays and even mousse — so you can choose the one that best fits your routine. They offer a range of shades to suit different skin tones, allowing you to customize your tan from a subtle sun-kissed effect to a deeper bronze. Additionally, using a self-tanner is convenient and quick, giving you a summer glow any time of year without the risk associated with UV rays from tanning beds.

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Are You Worried About Skin Cancer From Tanning Bed Use?

Schedule a consultation with one of our dermatology providers for a comprehensive skin examination or skin cancer screening today. We can put your mind at ease and give you information on good prevention habits to maximize your chance of living a healthy, cancer-free life.

Call Schweiger Dermatology Group at (844) DERM-DOC to schedule a consultation today. To find a location near you, check out our clinic pages.

Originally posted 05/10/2018. Updated 11/19/2024.