The real deal about indoor tanning equipment
 

Just like the sun, indoor tanning equipment emits harmful ultraviolet radiation that can cause skin cancer.

Indoor tanning has become more popular among teens looking to get that “healthy glow”. Unfortunately, many teens (and parents too!) think that getting a tan indoors is safer than tanning in the sun. This isn’t true.

Why is indoor tanning dangerous for teens?

Indoor tanning isn’t safe at any age. Tanning beds give off ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the same as the sun. UV rays are known to cause cancer. Some tanning beds can give off UV rays at levels that are 5 times stronger than the mid-day summer sun.

Tanning beds are in the same cancer-causing category as the dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes.

There a number of reasons why using indoor tanning equipment is especially risky for teens:

• New information released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) indicates that using tanning equipment before the age of 35 increases a person's risk of developing melanoma by 75%.
• Skin burns easier before the age of 18. 
• A tan is a sign of skin damage; once the skin has been tanned, the damage lasts a lifetime. This puts your son or daughter at risk for skin cancer both early and later in life. 

Read between the lines

Here are some common myths and realities about tanning beds:

Myth: Taking my children to a tanning bed before a family vacation will help protect them from the sun.

Reality: Having a tan gives your children little or no protection from the sun. You can protect your family by:

• putting on sunscreen regularly 
• having fun in the shade 
• wearing a wide brimmed hat and loose fitting clothing that covers the skin

Myth: The benefits of Vitamin D are more important than the risks of tanning.

Reality: There are safe ways to make sure your family is getting their Vitamin D which include:

• a few minutes of unprotected sun exposure
• foods, especially those fortified with vitamin D 
• a vitamin D supplement (talk to your doctor) 

What you can do

Learn what you can do to help protect your children from the dangers of indoor tanning.