Indoor tanning
Indoor tanning is a practice that involves using artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation, typically through tanning beds or booths, to achieve a bronzed skin tone. This method can mimic the effects of natural sunlight, stimulating the skin to produce melanin, which darkens its appearance. However, exposure to UV rays from indoor tanning devices can pose significant health risks, including an increased likelihood of developing melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. Notably, studies indicate that young people who use tanning beds face an elevated risk of melanoma, with those under twenty being particularly vulnerable.
In contrast to traditional tanning methods, alternatives like spray tanning and sunless tanning products provide options that do not involve UV exposure. These methods use dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to temporarily darken the skin without the associated risks of UV radiation. Despite being viewed by some as safer, spray tanning also carries its own risks, particularly related to inhalation or ingestion of the DHA chemical.
Regulatory bodies, including the FDA, have classified tanning beds as moderate to high-risk medical devices and have issued warnings about their use, especially among minors. Many states have enacted laws restricting access to indoor tanning for individuals under eighteen, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety and health implications of this practice. Overall, while indoor tanning may appeal to some for its immediate cosmetic results, the potential long-term health consequences warrant careful consideration.
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Indoor tanning
Indoor tanning typically involves the use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to bronze the skin. Individuals may use tanning beds or booths to expose their body to artificial UV rays to achieve a tan that mimics one that natural sunlight exposure would create. This method of indoor tanning may expose individuals to unsafe levels of UV radiation. Other indoor tanning methods, such as spray tanning or tanning lotions, do not use UV radiation and are generally considered a safer alternative to tanning beds and booths.
Background
Indoor tanning usually refers to tanning beds and booths that are equipped with lamps that emit UV radiation. These UV lamps stimulate the skin to emit melanin, which darkens skin tone. Individuals can lie down or stand up, depending on whether they choose a bed or a booth. The UV radiation hits both sides of the body to create a consistently darkened skin tone. This type of indoor tanning imitates outdoor tanning in that the lamps emit UV radiation just like the sun. However, tanning beds provide stronger and more direct UV radiation exposure, which speeds the tanning process compared to natural outdoor tanning. Additionally, this tanning equipment offers different levels of UV radiation, with the highest levels creating the darkest tan. Therefore, this artificial tanning can be appealing for individuals who want to achieve a tan quickly.
Spray tans are another type of indoor tanning technology. Instead of using UV radiation to darken the skin, spray tanning booths coat the skin in the chemical dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which darkens the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin to simulate a tan. The spray tan typically lasts for a few days to a week before fading. Airbrush tans are similar to spray tans in that a DHA spray is used to coat the skin. However, this method uses a salon technician, rather than a machine, to apply the spray. During the process, care is taken to cover the eyes, nose, and mouth to ensure the DHA is not unintentionally inhaled or ingested, which can be harmful.
Individuals hoping to achieve a tan can also use sunless tanning products that are available for purchase over the counter. Like spray tanning, many of these products contain DHA to darken the skin. Sunless tanning lotions, gels, sprays, and wipes can be applied to exfoliated skin, which will best absorb the DHA to gradually darken the skin. Bronzers, which are available as powders, creams, and lotions, are a temporary sunless tanning option because they rinse away easily with soap and water.
Overview
Many individuals use indoor tanning because they believe it is a safer alternative to outdoor tanning. However, indoor tanning has many health risks and lacks the benefits, such as vitamin D absorption, of sun exposure. Many research studies have noted the dangers of indoor tanning and indicate that the UV radiation emitted from indoor tanning devices can increase an individual’s risk of melanoma, a malignant form of skin cancer. Additional studies revealed that indoor tanning can also increase the risk of other types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, by 58 percent and 24 percent, respectively. Other studies have focused on the health risks of indoor tanning in young people, a population that is more likely to use tanning beds and booths. These studies reported that tanning bed use before age twenty can increase melanoma risk by 47 percent, and women younger than thirty who use tanning beds and booths are six times more likely to get melanoma than those who do not. Additionally, those individuals who do get skin cancer as a result of indoor tanning may experience permanent scarring from the removal of the cancerous spots.
Indoor tanning has other risks as well. Tanning beds and booths can damage the skin’s DNA cells. This damage can result in premature aging, fine lines and wrinkles, and dark spots. The skin may appear dehydrated, resulting in a leather-like, weathered appearance. If tanning beds are overused and result in sunburn, the skin may itch, peel, or flake. Individuals who pick at this burned skin may incur permanent scarring. Finally, misuse of tanning beds or booths may require emergency treatment. Individuals may experience skin burning, loss of consciousness, or eye injuries that require medical care.
Spray tanning is also not without risks. The chemical used in spray tanning, DHA, is approved for use on the skin, but it should not be inhaled or ingested. If individuals are not using proper safety equipment to cover their eyes, nose, and mouth, they may unintentionally inhale or ingest this chemical, which is unsafe.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state governments, and healthcare organizations have spoken against indoor tanning devices, such as tanning beds and booths, due to their inherent risks. Notably, the FDA recommends against the use of tanning beds by minors. The organization has also classified tanning beds and booths as Class II medical devices, indicating they are moderate to high risk. These devices must be labeled with warnings about their use. Additionally, many states have limited the use of indoor tanning devices for individuals under the age of eighteen. According to the Aim at Melanoma Foundation, forty-four states have statutes in place that limit or prohibit minors from using indoor tanning beds. While some states simply require parental consent to use indoor tanning equipment, other states have total bans on their use for all individuals younger than eighteen.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) encourages states to pass legislation that prevents minors from using tanning beds. Also, the organization has voiced opposition to the use of indoor tanning equipment and discourages tanning facilities from using misleading claims that market indoor tanning as safe. The World Health Organization offers the same guidance, stating that minors should not be allowed to use indoor tanning equipment, including tanning beds and booths.
Bibliography
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Garone, Michael, John Howard, and Jordan Fabrikant. “A Review of Common Tanning Methods,” The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, Feb. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4345932/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
“Indoor Tanning.” American Academy of Dermatology Association, www.aad.org/media/stats-indoor-tanning. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
“Indoor Tanning Restrictions for Minors.” Aim at Melanoma Foundation, www.aimatmelanoma.org/legislation-policy-advocacy/indoor-tanning/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
McCoy, Krista. “Sunless Tanning: What Are Your Options?” NYU Health Langone, Oct. 2013, froemkelab.med.nyu.edu/surgery/content?ChunkIID=101793. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
“Tanning and Your Skin.” Skin Cancer Foundation, July 2022, www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/tanning/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.
Venosa, Ali. “Indoor Tanning 101: Do You Know the Risks?” Skin Cancer Foundation, 18 July 2022, www.skincancer.org/blog/indoor-tanning-101-do-you-know-the-risks/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023.