Staggering Statistics That Will Keep You Out of a Tanning Bed (2023)

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Staggering Statistics That Will Keep You Out of a Tanning Bed? ›

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%.

Using sunbeds for the first time before the age of 35 increases your risk of melanoma by 60% Sun beds are just as dangerous for young people as they are for older people, even though the damage to the skin is less visible.

Most indoor tanning experts recommend three sessions per week until a tan develops, then two sessions per week after that to keep the tan. To avoid skin damage, wait at least 48 hours between tanning sessions.

More than 419,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year are linked to indoor tanning, including about 245,000 basal cell carcinomas, 168,000 squamous cell carcinomas and 6,200 melanomas. More people develop skin cancer because of indoor tanning than develop lung cancer because of smoking.

Using a sunbed just once a month can increase your risk of skin cancer by more than half. Regular sunbed use under the age of 35 years increases the risk of skin cancer by an alarming 75%.

The Bottom Line: Evidence suggests that tanning greatly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. And, contrary to popular belief, getting a tan will not protect your skin from sunburn or other skin damage.

You can protect your face in a tanning bed by wearing a face mask or using a self-tanner on your face. Face masks will protect your skin from the UV rays and help to keep it hydrated. Self-tanner will give you a nice, even tan without the risk of UV damage.

- Hydrate- While drinking water isn't directly related to lightening tan lines, it can help hydrate your skin, flush out toxins, and even out your skin tone. Tan lines can naturally fade away in 1-4 weeks depending on its intensity, however, do keep your skin away from sun exposure as much as you can.

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.

What is 7 minutes in a tanning bed equivalent to? ›

While the intensity of UV radiation from tanning beds can be higher than that of the sun, the duration of exposure is generally shorter. One minute in a high-pressure tanning bed is equivalent to 2-4 minutes of sun exposure, while 10–20 minutes in a low-pressure tanning bed is equivalent to 2 hours of sun exposure.

If you went under tanning lamps without applying additional tanning products, you could shower less than 30 minutes after your session without worrying about your tan fading. If you used a tan accelerator before your tanning bed session, you'll have to wait at least two hours before getting into the shower.

The Risks. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the risks of tanning beds and to limit how much time you spend on them. It is recommended that you should not spend more than 20 minutes in a tanning bed. In terms of UV radiation exposure, 20 minutes in a tanning bed is equivalent to 4 hours in the sun.

Sunbeds and cancer

Even one sunbed session can increase your risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer by 67% and basal cell skin cancer by 29%. Even more importantly is the increased risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. If you have ever used a sunbed your risk of melanoma increases by 20%.

The amount of radiation produced during indoor tanning is similar to that of the sun, and in some cases can be stronger. Indoor tanning before age 35 can increase your risk of melanoma by 59%; and the risk increases with each use. Occasional use of tanning beds triples your chances of getting melanoma.

Sunbeds in moderation

And while it's true that regular use of sun beds causes accumulation of UV radiation, the UV that we are exposed to in a single session on a sunbed is notable enough to cause damage in just one sitting.

They report that sunbeds increase the risk of skin cancer by up to 20 per cent, and also state that they have no positive benefits to our health. Cancer Research back this statistic, adding that " there is no such thing as a safe tan from UV radiation".

One minute in a high-pressure tanning bed is equivalent to 2-4 minutes of sun exposure, while 10–20 minutes in a low-pressure tanning bed is equivalent to 2 hours of sun exposure. You can also use tanning beds to treat certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis, by exposing the skin to UV light.