Are Tanning Beds Safe? Understanding Risks and Alternatives
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Are Tanning Beds Safe?

Are Tanning Beds Safe?
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Published on December 11, 2024
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The tanning bed business was booming in the 1980s. Then dermatologists and other health professionals sounded the alarm about the risk of melanoma skin cancer linked to indoor tanning, and the popularity of indoor tanning began to decline. Today, tanning beds are making a comeback, fueled by TikTok influencers. It's a dangerous trend, given that these devices are not — and have never been — safe.

“There’s now ample literature to show that indoor tanning really is not safe. It’s directly linked to melanoma,” says Anna Lien-Lun Chien, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. “We strongly advise people against using tanning beds.”

Read on to learn why tanning beds are so risky, and what safer alternatives are available if you want to get that sun-kissed look.

Why Are Tanning Beds Bad for You?

Tanning beds are harmful because they expose your skin to high-intensity ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation damages the DNA in your skin, which could lead to skin cancer.

The biggest risk from indoor tanning is melanoma, a type of skin cancer that starts in skin pigment cells called melanocytes.

 Melanoma is more likely to spread than other skin cancers, which makes it so deadly. When this cancer does spread, the chance of surviving five years is just 35 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.

Tanning bed use increases your risk of melanoma by 47 percent, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). It also increases your risk for other skin cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.

And while tanning might give you a healthy-looking glow in the short term, it accelerates the skin aging process. “You get a lot of sun damage in a much quicker way because of the intensity of the UV exposure. So the wrinkles, the saggy skin, the discoloration, the broken blood vessels — all of that is part of the sun damage that occurs,” says Susan Y. Chon, MD, a professor and the chair ad interim of the department of dermatology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

You also put your eyes at risk every time you tan. UV light can damage both your eyelids and eye, increasing your likelihood of cancer of the eyelid and uvea (middle layer of the eye), photokeratitis (sunburned eye), and cataracts.

Despite its many dangers, tanning can be addictive, like alcohol or drugs, causing similar withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop.

 “I had a patient tell me, ‘I just feel like I have to have it.’ They are almost in an addictive cycle,” says Dr. Chon. “It’s something that has minimal benefits as far as appearance, but it does so much damage and puts you at so much risk.”

Are Tanning Beds Safer Than the Sun?

Some indoor tanning proponents claim this practice is safer than sunbathing because tanning beds release only UVA energy, while the sun releases both UVA and UVB light. But the UVA intensity in a tanning bed is 10 to 15 times higher than that of the sun.

 “It’s more harmful to the skin because UVA penetrates more deeply than UVB, and indoor tanning has a strong connection to melanoma,” says Dr. Chien.


Are Tanning Beds Safe in Moderation?

No amount of tanning bed use is safe. Just one visit to a tanning salon can do serious damage to your skin. A single use of a tanning bed before age 35 increases your risk of melanoma, and the risk goes up every time you tan. “Our position as dermatologists is just to avoid indoor tanning altogether,” says Chien.


What if I Already Used Tanning Beds?

Even if you were a frequent indoor tanner in the past, it’s never too late to stop, say our experts. Changing your behavior can prevent additional damage and give your skin a chance to recover. Chon has had patients with severe sun damage whose skin improved once they stayed out of the sun and tanning beds. Also make sure to get regular skin checks from your dermatologist, so that if you do develop skin cancer, it’s caught early.

If you’ve been thinking about trying indoor tanning, don’t start. Encourage your children to avoid this practice, too. Most states have already banned or regulated indoor tanning for children younger than 18.

Evidence suggests that preventing indoor tanning among young people could save lives. A study published in 2020 estimated that banning tanning beds for people ages 12 to 35 in the United States and Europe would prevent 448,000 new melanoma diagnoses.

Is There a Safe Way to Tan?

To get glowing skin without the risks, our experts suggest using a sunless tanner. These products, which you can apply yourself or have applied at a spray tanning salon, use a chemical called dihydroxyacetone to darken your skin and simulate the look of a real tan. “I have a lot of patients who use them when they want to go on a trip or have a special event,” says Chon. “They look very natural.”

Just remember that a sunless tanner doesn’t offer any protection against the sun. You’ll still need to wear sunscreen when you’re outdoors.

The Takeaway

  • Despite the resurgence in popularity of tanning beds, indoor tanning isn’t safe in any amount.
  • Even a single session in a tanning bed can increase your risk of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer.
  • If you want that bronzed look, a self-tanner or bronzing makeup is a much safer way to get it.

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Jacquelyn Dosal

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments of inflammatory skin diseases, as well as laser treatment of the skin and injectables.

Dr. Dosal writes cosmetic questions for the certifying exams for the American Board of Dermatology. She is also the deputy editor for the American Academy of Dermatology's podcast, Dialogues in Dermatology.

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Stephanie Watson

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Stephanie Watson is a freelance health writer who has contributed to WebMD, AARP.org, BabyCenter, Forbes Health, Fortune Well, Time, Self, Arthritis Today, Greatist, Healthgrades, and HealthCentral. Previously, she was the executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch and Mount Sinai’s Focus on Healthy Aging. She has also written more than 30 young adult books on subjects ranging from celebrity biographies to brain injuries in football.
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Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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