Indoor tanning

Indoors or outdoors, there’s no safe way to get a tan. Tanning beds and sun lamps release ultraviolet (UV) rays that start the tanning process in the skin – just like the sun. Tanned skin is damaged skin. And when the tan fades, the damage is still there.

Indoor tanning causes cancer

When you expose your skin to UV rays – whether from the sun, tanning beds or sun lamps – you increase your chances of getting skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer.

It’s also one of the most preventable. To reduce your risk of getting skin cancer, don’t use tanning beds or sun lamps.

The World Health Organization upgraded the classification of UV-emitting devices, such as tanning beds, from a probable carcinogen to a known carcinogen. In other words, tanning beds are no longer something we think probably causes cancer – we know they cause cancer. And research done by the International Agency for Research on Cancer shows that being exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning equipment before the age of 35 increases your risk of melanoma (skin cancer).

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.

Read more about using SunSense to protect yourself from harmful UV rays and safe ways to get enough vitamin D.

Common myths about indoor tanning

Indoor tanning is never safe. These myths can hurt you, so don’t get caught up in them.

“Having a tan is healthy.”

No, it’s not. When your skin colour changes, it’s damaged and that can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. If you have to have that tan, try a sunless tanning cream. Don’t forget that when you’re using a fake tanning product, you still need to use sunscreen when out in the sun.

“My tan protects me from the sun.”

Think again! A tan offers almost no protection from sunlight or burning. Some tanning beds can expose you to 5 times more radiation than the sun. Getting a tan from a tanning bed doesn’t protect you from the sun – it does more harm than the sun. Use sunscreen to protect yourself instead.

“I’ll get my vitamin D by going to the tanning salon.”

Tanning beds are not a safe way to get your vitamin D. It is safer to get it from the sun, supplements and your diet. In the fall and winter, a supplement is a much safer and cheaper way to get your vitamin D. Find out more on getting the right amount.

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: 27 May 2011