Indoor tanning
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There’s no safe way to get a tan. Just like the sun, tanning beds and sun lamps release ultraviolet (UV) rays that trigger the tanning process in the skin.
This causes skin damage, such as sunburns, premature aging and cataracts. |
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Also, long-term exposure to UV rays, sunburns either from the sun’s rays, tanning beds or sun lamps, can put you at greater risk for non-melanoma or melanoma skin cancers.
Who’s at risk
Never use a tanning bed if:
- You’re under 18 (The WHO recommends that people under 18 shouldn’t use tanning beds or lamps. We support that recommendation.)
- you're fair skinned, have freckles or moles or burn easily
- you’ve had skin cancer
- there's a family history of skin cancer
- you're using medications that increase your sensitivity to UV
Tall tales
You’ve probably heard them all, but here are a few ‘tan tales’:
Having a tan is healthy
No it’s not. It might make you feel good but when your skin colour changes, you’re damaging your skin and that can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. If you have to have that tan, try a sunless tanning cream. It will last about a week. Just remember that when you’re using a fake tanning product, you’ll still need your sunscreen.
My tan protects me from the sun
I don’t think so! A tan offers very limited protection from sunlight or burning. Some tanning beds can expose you to five times as much radiation as the sun. So it’s definitely not a reason to be spending time in a tanning salon.
I’ll get my vitamin D by going to the tanning salon
You could but you don’t need that much exposure to UV rays. A few minutes a day of unprotected sun exposure is usually all that is needed for people to get enough vitamin D. For most people a little sunlight goes a long way. In the fall and winter, a supplement is a much safer and cheaper way to get your vitamin D.
What’s the bottom line?
Whether you’re going to a tanning salon or outside without sun protection, you’re damaging your skin. And when the tan fades, the damage will still be there. So is it worth it?
More information on tanning booths
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Other information on indoor tanning
Canada
Health Canada – Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection
Guidelines for tanning salon owners, operators and users
International
American Academy of Dermatology Association – Position Statement on Indoor Tanning
Last modified on:
13 December 2009
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