by Maya Vokes-Didier

Created on: May 24, 2009   Last Updated: May 25, 2009

With the growing popularity of tanning beds in Europe and North America, there has also been an increasing number of alerts and health warnings from skin specialists and health organizations regarding the long-term damage caused by the radiation emitted by these devices.

In the United States, the age of minors is set at 0-18 years. Among minors, tanning beds are more likely to be used by teenagers, predominantly by girls. These beds are used for their cosmetic and mood-altering benefits. In other words, they are an aid to improving self-image. Perhaps they are not as invasive as botox or cosmetic surgery, but the intention to enhance perceived beauty is the same.

The side effects of using tanning beds
A tanning bed emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation (typically 95% UVA and 5% UVB) that produces a cosmetic tan. UVA radiation from tanning beds is about 3-8 times greater than sunlight. UVA radiation has been linked to carcinogenic (cancer-causing) mutations, suggesting that beds have a higher risk than natural light.

Here are the proven risks of UV radiation:
1. Artificial tanning from UV exposure is known to cause cancer, make skin age and wrinkle faster, mutate DNA, and suppress the immune system.]
2. The US Public Health Service states that UV radiation is known to be a human carcinogen. The risk of developing cancer in the years after exposure is greatest in people under 30 years of age.
3. Young women who used sun lamps for tanning while in their 20s had the largest increase in subsequent cancer risk - about 150% higher than similar women who did not use tanning beds.

Tanning enthusiasts claim that besides their cosmetic and mood-altering reasons for using sunbeds, UVB light from the beds can induce the body to synthesize vital Vitamin D. Vitamin D is required for calcium absorption, improves development of bones and reduces risk of chronic forms of cancer. However, the amount of UVB required for this synthesis is estimated to be less than that provided by a single tanning session. Hence, the risk from tanning beds far outweigh the benefits.

The damage done by radiation from tanning beds can harm everyone - whether they are teenagers or adults. However, when started young, the longterm damage is more pronounced.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly stated that no one under age 18 should use sunbeds because the ultraviolet rays can increase the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. Do children need to be exposed to this risk at a young age? Are we really okay with allowing our teens to the use of tanning beds that expose them to the same radiation, which we are trying to protect them from, with sun-protection creams? Or, is it wiser to stick to the WHO recommendation - "If you're not old enough to vote, you don't belong in a tanning bed" ?

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