The dangers of tanning beds have long been underrated. Tanning salons play down the adverse affects of tanning beds and promote them as a healthy way to get your vitamin D intake. However, the UVA and UVB rays emitted in a tanning bed are far stronger than anything needed to get your daily intake of the vitamin. A study from the International Journal of Cancer found that using the tanning bed before age 35 boosted the risk of getting melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75 percent.Not only does it increase your risk of getting skin cancer, it prematurely ages you. Sun damage will cause sun spots and give you wrinkles, neither of which are reversible. Expensive injectables such as Botox and Restaline can reduce the appearance of fine lines, but a wrinkle is permanent.

A golden tan has, for a long time, been a symbol of health and wellness. However, did you know being tan is a sign of the same damage as a sunburn? Even one blistering sunburn raises your risk of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.  A tan is another indication of sun damage. Although it isn’t as serious as a bad burn, the effects of UV damage can be severe and the more UV exposure you get, the more you increase your risk of skin cancer.

More resources on the Dangers or Tanning

Why Tanning is Dangerous:

• The Skin Cancer Foundation: The Dangers of Tanning
• Dr.Oz on The Dangers of Tanning
• USA Today: Tanning beds are now listed among top cancer risks
• Teen Vogue: Burn Notice: The Dangers of Tanning Beds
• 20/20: An interview with tanning salons that downplay the dangers of skin cancer

Tanning Myths:

• Tanning Myths: What’s True? What’s Hype? WebMd tackles many of the myths when it comes to tanning both outdoors and in a tanning bed.
• Discovery Health’s Top 5 Tanning Myths : Don’t believe it until you hear it from the mouths of professionals.
• The Doctor is In: Why a “base tan” won’t protect you from sun damage.