Tanning beds – not as safe as supposed
There were already more than enough warnings:
1. The American Academy of Dermatology says most bulbs used at salons emit UVA and small amounts of UVB rays. It is also believed that this is contributing to a variety of cancers.
2. According to Nicholas Lowe, author of Skin Secrets, using a tanning bed will not offer the limited amount of protection that a little sun will provide. The melanin that is produced by a limited exposure of the sun will offer a little protection… although you had to damage your skin to get it.
The UVA rays used with tanning beds does not work in the same way. Natural sun will cause the skin to thicken and that is where the protection comes into play. The UVA rays used in a salon has no effect on the thickening of the skin.
3. Neil Izenberg MD also believes the amount of UVA rays that are emited are very dangerous and advises that teens stay away from the salons. Source: Kidshealth.org
4. Sid Kirchheimer, a health and medical writer and editor for two decades, believes that by visiting a salon once a month could increase your chances of cancer by fifty five percent. Are you willing to take the chance? Source: Webmd.com
5. “Indoor tanning before the age of 35 has been associated with a significant increase in the risk of melanoma. Yet on an average day, more than one million Americans tan in tanning salons,” said Arielle N.B. Kauvar, MD, FAAD, dermatologist and chair of the Academy’s Council on Communications.
“Research shows 70 percent of indoor tanners are female, primarily 16 to 29 years old — the age group that’s particularly at risk for developing skin cancer. We especially hope women who are using or considering using tanning salons will think twice about partaking in this risky behavior.”
I used them in Russia for a short time and the thing which was clear was that the receptionist or some other girl was usually given the job of running the tanning beds, having neither the time nor the knowledge of exactly how it operated and I remember thinking at the time that it was perhaps best not to continue.
When there were burns on the arms which shouldn’t have happened in so short a time, I discontinued doing it.
Filed under: Leisure & travel
Never done sunbeds and I always sit in the shade rather than the sun.
Better for you, Cherie.
I’ll steer clear of the things. Phototherapy was enough
‘Morning. I’m trying to find my way round here. Are tanning booths any safer? I succombed this year for the first time in decades – not that it made much difference. “The only safe tan is a fake tan.” At least the summer’s over and I can stop worrying about it.