Until recently dermatologists suspected tanning beds were harmful, but there was little proof to support this belief. Now a recent study provides solid evidence that shows if you are one of the roughly one million Americans who seek a “safe” tan at your local tanning salon, you face the same risk of skin cancer as those who soak up the rays of the sun.
The study, conducted by researchers in Britain and at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, found that exposure to the ultraviolet rays used in tanning beds produces cell damage in the skin that can potentially lead to skin cancer - just like outdoor sun exposure.
As a result of exposure to ultraviolet bulbs, participants in the study had alterations in certain parts of their DNA and in certain skin proteins. For some dermatologists, this study shows that tanning salons may in fact be more harmful than sun exposure, especially for people who frequent tanning salons all year round, unlike many sun-worshippers who limit their tanning to the summer months.
Learn what other iVillage Beauty women have to say about safe tanning by visiting our Tanning and Sun Safety message board.
