Are Tanning Salons Safe

Are Tanning Salons Safe?

The health community seems to be pretty much split over whether tanning in tanning beds is safe. Some doctors say that tanning for any period of time is unsafe, while others say that if it is done in moderation, the benefits outweigh the risks. According to recent studies, there are many reasons you may once again look at tanning salons in a positive light.

Indoor Tanning May Reduce Cancer Risks

In recent studies, it has been found that sun exposure may aid in the prevention of colon cancer and breast cancer. The sun is a constant source of Vitamin D, which is believed to help block the formation of cancerous cells or slow the reproduction rate. This research is based on facts that in parts of the world where there is little sunlight, the cancer rates are very high. In general, most tropical locations experience fewer cases of cancer than areas in cold northern climates.

Regular Sun Exposure Reduces Risk

It has been shown that those who have regular sun exposure have lower incidence of developing melanoma. People who are only exposed to the sun every once in the while will be more likely to burn and experience damage to the skin. This has been proven when you compare people with regular exposure to those with very little. Those with less exposure have much higher rates of the development of melanoma.

Indoor Tanning Can Reduce the Risk of Outdoor Burn

People who burn very easily outdoors in the sun can reduce their risk by first getting a base tan in a tanning bed. Using an indoor tanning bed allows you to tan for very short periods of time to reduce the risk of burn. Once a base tan is developed slowly over time, the risk of an outdoor burn will be much less. It is believed that those who tan indoors before being exposed to the sun will be 85% less likely to burn.

Risks of Indoor Tanning Are Less than the Risks of Cancer

Because indoor tanning does have many benefits such as providing a base tan and increasing Vitamin D in the body, it is believed the benefits outweigh the risks. When you consider that 1,200 people a year die from melanoma compared to the 150,000 that die from colon and breast cancer combined, it is probably worth the risk. Vitamin D also makes the bones stronger and could help reduce the current number of over 25 million people that currently suffer from cancer.

While no one will state that tanning in salons is 100% safe, the current data shows there are more benefits than risks. However, this is when you consider tanning in moderation. You should never tan repeatedly, day after day, for long periods of time. Make sure the salon you use offers training on what time frames are safe for your skin type and how often you should tan. The biggest thing to do is avoid sunburn at all costs. Sunburn is the leading cause of permanent damage to the skin.