Don't be fooled: Indoor tanning isn't pretty
Research has found that the use of indoor tanning equipment before the age of 35 increases an individual's risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent. Here's more on why this country needs legislation
By Dr. Denise Wexler, President of the Candian Dermatology Association
You’ve probably seen the roadside signs with giant fluorescent letters advertising “Special: New clients get three tans for $3!” or “Unlimited tanning for one low monthly price!” In fact, there scarcely goes a day when we don’t see ads for indoor tanning. They’re in magazines, bus shelters, newspapers and online banners, not to mention those pesky Facebook ads. But indoor tanning is not as safe as advertisers would have you believe.
In 2009, a report from the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO–IARC) announced that the agency had moved indoor tanning to its highest cancer risk category—“carcinogenic in humans.” This puts indoor tanning alongside 107 other cancer-causing substances like tobacco, arsenic, radon and plutonium!
The IARC also reported the scientific evidence linking indoor tanning to melanoma to be “sufficient and compelling.” Extensive research has shown that melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from both the sun and indoor tanning equipment. One fact advertisers may have forgotten to tell Canadians is that some indoor tanning equipment can emit UV rays that are five times more concentrated than the sun during peak hours. In fact, it is estimated that about 90 percent of melanomas are associated with severe UV exposure and sunburn.
A 2006 analysis study conducted by an IARC working group, entitled “The association of use of sunbeds with cutaneous malignant melanoma and other skin cancers: A systematic review,” found that the use of indoor tanning equipment before the age of 35 increases an individual’s risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent. While it is impossible to completely avoid sun exposure, it is very easy to avoid the use of indoor tanning equipment and by doing so greatly reduce your risk of developing skin cancer, which is a preventable disease.
Common myths
Advertisers often make claims that indoor tanning is a safe way to tan; in truth, no tan is a safe tan, regardless of whether it’s obtained indoors or out. At most, a tan provides a sun protection factor (SPF) of two to four, which is not enough to protect you while you’re outside. Research has shown that the regular use of indoor tanning equipment causes photoaging of the skin and irreparable DNA damage, as well as melanoma. Melanoma can result in disfigurement following the excision of malignant tumours from the skin and even death if it’s not detected and treated early.
The arguments have also been made that indoor tanning will help to solve vitamin D deficiencies, which are prevalent among Canadians. As it happens, most Canadians receive enough UVB radiation during sunny months through incidental exposure to produce the amount of vitamin D needed to maintain healthy levels. During the winter months, the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA), along with Health Canada and WHO, recommends taking a daily vitamin supplement or making dietary changes to increase vitamin D levels.
It is the position of the CDA that, in the interest of protecting young Canadians, the government institute formal regulations regarding access to indoor tanning equipment. Tanning advocates argue legislation is not a reasonable means to regulate indoor tanning and that a system of parental consent is more suitable and in line with current practices. However, a 2008 study by the Canadian Cancer Society found 60 percent of tanning facilities didn’t ask customers for proof of age.
In early 2011, the city of Victoria passed a landmark bylaw in Canada making it illegal for those under the age of 18 to use tanning beds. In May 2011, the province of Nova Scotia followed suit and imposed province-wide legislation to ban teens from using tanning salons. Formal legislation is also being pushed for in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba. There is some progress, but Canada is falling behind; countries that have a ban in place for teens at the national level are France (1997), Scotland (2008), Austria (2009), Germany (2009) and the United Kingdom (2010).
The government must address the issue of access to indoor tanning equipment by introducing legislation as it did for both alcohol and tobacco. As for any known carcinogen, Canadian children and adolescents should be protected from UV radiation emitted by tanning beds. To that end, a private member’s bill was introduced in Parliament at the close of the winter session calling for stricter labelling of tanning equipment as well as restrictions on access to the equipment for those under age 18. The CDA fully supports this initiative, and on Melanoma Monday (May 7), the CDA, along with media partner Best Health magazine, will hold an awareness event on Parliament Hill. The hope is that this bill will become legislation in the next year.
Editor's Note
Best Health magazine is proud to be a vocal supporter of legislation to ban tanning beds for teens in Canada. We’ve been passionate about the importance of sun safety since 2008 when the magazine launched, and in our May 2009 issue we called our readers to action in the article, “Let’s Outlaw Tanning Beds For Teens.” It’s encouraging to see that real progress continues to be made in Canada, but we can still do more. Let your MP know that you support the new proposed legislation.
This article was originally titled "Don't be fooled: Indoor tanning isn't pretty" in the May 2012 issue of Best Health. Subscribe today to get the full Best Health experience–and never miss an issue!
Best Health Magazine, May 2012
BLAH BLAH BLAH Dr. Know it all! I'm 72 and have been tanning my whole life and I look great, not old and wrinkled as you seem to put it, consentrate on curing cancer not assuming your facts are correct, first off you use people who are super fair skinned and have trouble tanning regardless if its inside or outside. shame on you to think you are the God of all human's.... go find a cure instead of babbling what you want people to believe, you are a drmatologist that want money so you tag up with pharmacutical companies to scare people... get yourself some sun block and enjoy the sun, you've bocome an isolated lab rat!
I don't understand all the fuss about tanning beds. If they truly are that bad then why do dermatologists use them in their offices to treat certain skin disorders. Wake up people this sun scare message is insane imagine life without sunshine we'd all die, it's called moderation. Vitamin is a necessity we weren't meant to take pills for it, it was invented to make money. All these ads are paid for by cosmetic companies. Remember when coppertone advertized a tan? now the money is in sunscreen so they make sunscreen. Again, why do dermatologists use them in their office, yet against them? because they lose money to tanning salons. Yes they treat psoriasis with a tanning bed, same tanning bed as a tanning salon.
Sorry, but it IS NOT THE BURN that causes cancer. It is the tan, whether light, medium, or dark. A tan is damaged skin, not dead (or it would flake off), and getting a tan is not a preventative measure against burning. As to cancer only happening on protected skin, my father has had squamish cancer removed from the top of his head four times, each being the size of a loonie. It may be because he played golf for 40 years with no hat, and has thin hair. I've had it myself on my forehead, and it was only detectable under a magnifying glass - just a dry patch, I thought. So you just need to protect yourself, be sensible, and still get your skin checked yearly.
I have a question - how is a tan "damaged skin" - I can see a burn as being damaged, but a Tan? If that is the case then I am confused, most of the people that live around the equator are dark skinned, most of the people living in northern climates are white skinned. How is that we elvolved like that. (probably from sun exposure I would think) does that mean dark skinned people are unhealthier then white skinned people. Yet skin cancer death rates are lower in Aftrica then in the U.S. Now I am really confused? If it weren't for the sun...we would not be here today....yet people say it is killing us? I am so confused
sorry about your loss Margaret.....but as your husband said "that yearly burn".....that is what caused the skin cancer NOT the tanning.....thats why people indoor tan....SO THEY DO NOT BURN.... your body is not designed to burn then tan....I get a get tan in the summer and never burn.....I start with indoor tanning slowly and build it up so I never burn....it's the burn that causes skin damage and cancer....again the public needs to be better educated
I work in a medical office and we routinely remove moles caused by sun-damage. Most of them are either basil cell or squamous cell, however, there has been an alarming increase in the number of melanomas that have been diagnosed after removal.
The tanning beds are dangerous. They really are. and your sunscreen will not protect you from the uv rays that damage the dna in your skin. That's a fact.
With SAD sufferers, of which I am one, there is a company in Canada called Northern Lights Technology that makes SAD lamps, with filters that stop the damaging rays before they get to your skin. These lamps work.
We have to change our thinking. Tanned skin is UNhealthy skin. It is damaged skin. Not just on the surface, but right down to the bottom.
Please try bronzer and an authentic SAD lamp, or maybe you will be the next person who suffers melanoma. It may start out as a mole, but it travels into your nearest lymph node and spreads everywhere in your body. This is the truth. Please stop tanning.
My husband was diagnosed with melanoma 4 years ago, he required surgery and just when his life should be great, he was faced with walking to the specialist office to hear if he was going to live or die. His words "at the moment, you realize your yearly sunburn to get the tan started was not worth death" Death is what awaits you and because of your inability to listen to reason, your wife, your children, your parents gets to suffer because of your vanity. Stop tanning, save yourself some wrinkles, cancer and the horror of knowing you self inflicted this pain on everyone.
There are way too many walking baked potato's these days.
you keep saying 'Research' has shown blah blah blah.
Why not be professional and provide a link to the research.
You have obviously done no research whatsoever on the subject and are just regurgitating propoganda by dermatologists who are paid by SPF lotion producing companies to scare people into using their products.
Also as you are obviously an expert on this subject can you explain why the majority of cases of malignant melanoma appers on areas of the body that almost never has exposure to UV light?
Slow down everyone ~
I've been regularly using a tanning salon for over 4 years, I've never had a sunburn it hasn't made me peel either; I use the recommended protection and skin conditioner.
My doctor has not only diagnosed me with vit D deficiency but I also have SAD and suffer from depression.
For 30 minutes a week of suntanning I feel good, look good (med tan) and it helps me to fight the SAD and depression ~ does my doctor know ~ she does and hasn't found a reason yet to tell me to stop.
It is no different than anything else in life, if used correctly and not overindulged in it is good for you...poor judgement and lack of training by staff is a major problem..
be a smart critter NOT a crispy critter :)