Your Body Almanac

Indoor tanning

Tanning beds, booths and sunlamps for a year-round tan.

Tanning beds give off ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the same kind that comes from the sun, often at higher intensity. A tan is a sign of skin damage, not protection. Indoor tanning is linked to melanoma and other skin cancers, early skin aging and eye damage, and the risk is highest for people who start young. The only way to remove this risk is to stop indoor tanning. Sunless tanning products give color without UV.

01

Skin cancer risk

Using tanning beds raises the risk of melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, as well as basal and squamous cell carcinomas. The more sessions, and the younger you start, the higher the risk.

SourcesThe Risks of Tanning (FDA)Indoor tanning statistics (American Academy of Dermatology)Sunlight (National Cancer Institute)
Check your skin for changesAs neededLook over your whole body on a regular schedule for new spots or moles that change, itch or bleed.
02

Early wrinkles and sun spots

UV breaks down the collagen and elastic fibers that keep skin firm. Regular tanning leads to wrinkles, leathery texture and dark spots years earlier than you would otherwise see them.

SourcesThe Risks of Tanning (FDA)Tanning (MedlinePlus)
Wear sunscreen every dayDailyPut broad-spectrum SPF 30+ on exposed skin each morning and reapply every two hours outdoors. Wear sun-protective clothingAs neededCover up with a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses and tightly woven long sleeves when you are out in the sun.
03

Eye damage

Without the goggles provided, UV from tanning beds can burn the surface of your eyes and over time contribute to cataracts. Closing your eyes is not enough. Always wear the FDA-compliant goggles the salon provides, and check that they fit snugly and are not cracked.

SourcesThe Risks of Tanning (FDA)Tanning Products (FDA)
Get a comprehensive eye examYearlySee an optometrist or ophthalmologist every one to two years, and every year once you are 65 or at higher risk.

When to see a professional

See a dermatologist for a mole or spot that is new, changing, bleeding, itchy, or looks different from your others, or a sore that does not heal. If you have tanned often, ask about a regular skin exam.