Indoor tanning uses artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light, rather than sunlight, to tan the skin. People may feel that a tan makes them look good and that a tan looks "healthy." But being exposed to the light from tanning beds isn't safe. The light from a tanning device can cause skin cancer.
Tanning beds use ultraviolet ( UV ) radiation , which can damage the DNA in your skin cells and increase your risk of skin cancer . Additionally , tanning beds can also cause premature aging , eye damage , and weaken your immune system .
From the American Academy of Dermatology, ``Science tells us that there's no such thing as a safe tanning bed, tanning booth, or sun lamp. Indoor tanning can increase the risk of developing the two most common types of skin cancer -- squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%.
According to Dr. Peter Katz, board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology, “there is no such thing as a healthy or safe tan. Tanned skin is a result of damage to the skin cells, your skin producing pigment in response to UV damage in an attempt to protect itself.
Moderate tanning of 2-3 sessions a week is OK for everyone else but ensure you rest the skin for a minimum of 24 hours between each session and at least 48 hours for skin type 2. The European Standard advises not to exceed 60 sessions per annum.
Ten minutes in a sunbed can be roughly equivalent to 1-2 hours in natural sunlight, depending on factors like sunbed intensity and skin type. However, this varies widely based on geographical location, time of day, and weather conditions. Always adhere to recommended exposure times to minimise skin damage risks.
The only way to tan safely is by using self-tanning sprays or lotions. Fortunately, self-tanners have come a long way since the days when they left skin streaky and the color of orange cheese-puffs. Self-tanning products are safe and generally don't cause irritation to the skin.
Another option is a spray tan, which can give you a beautiful all-over glow without harmful UV exposure.
Indoor tanning speeds up skin aging
Indoor tanning is known to cause wrinkles, brown spots and thick leathery skin. Indoor tanning ages your skin 3 times faster than sunlight: indoor tanning can emit up to 15 times more UV radiation than sunlight.
Avoid using harsh or fragranced products immediately after tanning, as they may further irritate the skin.
Tanning beds can increase your risk for skin cancer, damage and deplete your immune system, cause clinical eye issues, result in photodamage (damage to the skin from unprotected exposure to UV radiation), and accelerated photoaging, or premature aging of the skin caused by repeated exposure to UV radiation.
It's crucial to recognise that the health benefits associated with exposure to natural sunlight, such as heightened Vitamin D production, diminished inflammation, improved skin conditions, reduced blood pressure, and enhanced heart health, can be effectively replicated through sunbed use.
How long should I wait to shower after sunbed tanning? You do not have to wait to shower. However, bronzers that contain DHA are best when left on for at least 4 hours before showering.
While different tanning beds emit variable amounts of UVB and UVA (varying in both the absolute flux and the ratio of UVB to UVA), there is extensive in vitro evidence that both UVA and UVB have anti-inflammatory effects (Tables 1, 2).
There is NO safe way to use a sunbed ! The WHO has classified sunbeds as a group 1 carcinogen—this means they are proven to cause cancer1. They are not suitable as a source of vitamin D. Any vitamin D you might get through using a sunbed is outweighed by the harms of using sunbeds.
Indoor tanning is more addictive than you might think. The allure lies in the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals triggered by exposure to UV rays. When you're basking under those warm lights, your brain gets a surge of these mood-enhancing chemicals, creating a euphoric sensation.
It doesn't. The bulbs used in tanning beds emit mostly UVA light; however, your body needs UVB light to make vitamin D. To get vitamin D safely, board-certified dermatologists recommend that healthy adults get vitamin D from their diet.
Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.
UVB rays can be harmful to your skin if exposed for a significant amount of time. Luckily, level 4 tanning beds feature significantly less UVB rays in comparison to lower level beds.
After extensive testing, we determined the highest rated self-tanner to be the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse. It's an airy mousse that's easy to apply and blend and leaves you with a natural-looking glow. You can also customize the depth of color based on how long you leave it on your skin.
If you apply sunscreen before hopping into a tanning bed, it will limit the amount of UV radiation that reaches your skin, which in turn, reduces the effectiveness of your tanning session. So you shouldn't use sunscreen before your tanning session. Clear, product-free skin is ideal.
Health Benefits
Several health benefit claims such as improved appearance, enhanced mood, and increased vitamin D levels have been attributed to tanning. Furthermore, the Indoor Tanning Association claims that “catching some rays may lengthen your life” [5].