Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer

Tanning beds and skin cancer are closely related. The ultraviolet (UV) radiation from tanning beds is a known cause of cancer. Frequent tanners get about 12 times the UV dose compared to those who just receive sun exposure. Up to 30 million people tan indoors every year and 2.3 million of those are teenagers.

People who use tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to get squamous cell skin cancer. They are 1.5 times more likely to get basal cell cancer. The revenue of the indoor tanning industry is about 5 billion dollars.

All skin cancer types are more likely if a person uses a tanning salon. Even malignant melanoma is more likely using indoor tanners. Of all the skin cancer types, malignant melanoma is the deadliest.

Banning Tanning Beds

Because tanning beds and skin cancer are so closely related, some people are trying to ban indoor tanning for minors. This would happen even with a parental signature. Many young teens are going to tanning beds and are getting burned in the process.

There are some groups of people, such as dermatologists, that want to ban indoor tanning altogether. They say that all skin cancer types will be reduced if there are no tanning salons. Tanning beds and skin cancer could be history.

Ideally people should use sunscreen in tanning booths to get a more natural tan. This is not happening and, in many cases, people are using tanning accelerators. Tanning accelerators only make you more likely to burn and get squamous cell skin cancer, basal cell cancer or malignant melanoma.

If you tan frequently…

If you are a frequent tanner, you should check your skin for changing moles and other signs of skin cancer every month. Use a mirror to see your scalp and your back. The backs of your legs are important, too.

Have a skin cancer surgeon or dermatologist check your skin every year. Tell the doctor of your tanning bed exposure so that she knows to look carefully and expect sun damage. Early sun damage can turn into squamous cell skin cancer or other type of cancer later in life.

Some early skin damage, such as actinic keratoses needs to be removed using cryotherapy or curettage. This will get rid of the cells that would turn into skin cancer later. Your skin cancer surgeon can do this procedure.

If You Develop Skin Cancer from Tanning Beds

Because tanning beds and skin cancer are closely related, you can get skin cancer from tanning frequently.

Your skin cancer surgeon will remove the cancer and will recommend radiation or chemotherapy if necessary. The major part of the procedure is to remove the tumor and a margin of healthy skin around it. Radiation or chemotherapy helps if the cancer can’t be completely removed.

Radiation or chemotherapy is frequently used on malignant melanomas to make sure that the cancer doesn’t grow back. If malignant melanoma is allowed to spread, it can travel to other parts of the body.

If You Burn in a Tanning Bed…

If you burn in a tanning bed, you shouldn’t attempt to tan again for many weeks. Allow your skin to heal before trying to tan again. Use a higher SPF sunscreen in the tanning booth. Since tanning beds cause skin cancer, you might want to forego a tanning beds forever.

Those with pale skin, red hair or many freckles are not good candidates for tanning beds. These are people with a high risk for all skin cancer types. Sun tanning is not really a good option.

Written by: Dr. Christine Traxler
Edited by: Margaret Stenerson
July 13, 2010