What’s the safest way to indoor tan? How about not do it at all? There’s no amount of indoors tanning that’s considered safe. Any ultraviolet radiation from any type of tanning device can raise your risk of different types of skin cancer including basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and melanoma.
In fact, back in 2009, UV-emitting tanning devices earned a Group 1: “Carcinogenic to humans” designation from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization. Yeah, while being in Group 1 when boarding an airplane may be good, being in Group 1 in the IARC classification scheme is definitely not. It’s the highest risk IARC designation that a device can get, worse than being in Group 2A “Probably carcinogenic to humans”, Group 2B “Possibly carcinogenic to humans” or Group 3 “Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans.”
That Group 1 classification resulted after an analysis of over 20 epidemiological studies revealed that exposure to tanning devices before age 30 was linked to a 75% increase in the risk of cutaneous melanoma. Scientific studies had shown that an association with ocular melanoma as well. Plus, studies in other animals besides humans had demonstrated the carcinogenic effects of different types ultraviolet radiation including UVA, UVB, and UVC.
So why then would someone use a sunbed, a tanning booth or some other type of indoor tanning device? Well, there is the belief that tan skin looks healthier, with an emphasis on the word “looks.” Tan skin or a tan body is not necessarily healthier than paler skin or a paler body. A doctor won’t look at you and say, “Well, you look really tan. No need to do any lab tests or a physical exam.” This is a situation where chasing looks could literally kill.
Another argument for indoor tanning is that it will provide a “base tan” that makes it less likely for sunburn to occur once in the sun. However, avoiding sunburn should not be your only objective. Skin damage can occur even if you do not suffer a sunburn.
A third argument can be considered a D-light-full one. When UV radiation hits your skin, it can trigger your body to synthesize more vitamin D. Vitamin D is important since it can prompt your intestines to absorb more calcium and facilitate bone growth and remodeling. Vitamin D may also reduce inflammation and help with cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function and glucose metabolism. But this argument for indoor tanning earns a grade of D or worse, since you can get enough vitamin D from normal sun exposure, eating different foods and supplements if needed. The risks of indoor tanning greatly outweigh the Vitamin D benefits.
Now if you absolutely have to use an indoor tanning device, despite all of the above warnings, you can do some things to reduce your risks. First of all, never use such a device without wear well-fitting goggles that protect your eyes against the UV radiation. UV radiation can lead to not only different types of cancers in and around the eyes but also cataracts and macular degeneration.
Secondly, follow the manufacturer’s directions as listed on the box or the accompanying materials. This is not the time to “think outside the box” and wing it when using the device.
The other things you can do all have the same common theme of avoiding indoor tanning as much as possible. These include keeping exposure times as short as you can and the intensity as low as you willing to go. If you are 18 years or younger, you really should not be doing any type of indoor tanning at all. The younger you are, the more time there is for skin damage and cancer risk to accumulate. In time, you will realize that it really doesn’t matter what your fellow teenagers think about you and your body.
The same applies if you are older. So why put your future at risk just for some likes on social media or someone to say, “Hot bod.”
