Download Teens and Tanning: Think Again

THE BED IS DEAD
LEARN THE FACTS ABOUT UV
AND THE HEALTH RISKS OF TANNING
WHAT IS A TAN?

When UV radiation (from the sun or tanning bed)
hits skin, skin cells react by producing melanin.
Melanin is what makes your skin darker. (11)

Skin cells release melanin in an effort to protect
themselves from UV rays hitting the skin. UV rays
damage DNA and cause burns, and a tan is your
skin’s defense (11).

All darkening of the skin due to UV exposure is
evidence that the skin has responded to UV
damage and is attempting to avoid further damage.
ULTRAVIOLET (UV) RADIATION

There are different types of UV rays. The ones that
cause skin damage are UVA and UVB.

UVA (think A for Aging) penetrates deeply into
both layers of skin and damages collagen and
elastin. This is how UVA exposure leads to
premature aging, including sags, bags, wrinkles
and lines where you don’t want them. UVA breaks
down skin structure by oxygen free radical
damage.
ULTRAVIOLET (UV) RADIATION

UVB (think B for Burning) is higher energy but
only penetrates into the top layer of skin. Besides
burns, UVB causes blotches and pigment
irregularities.

UVB and UVA are carcinogenic to skin cells in
different ways3. UVB directly damages skin cell
DNA. UVA causes indirect damage by breaking
down skin structure.
UV AND TANNING BEDS

Before UV lamps were developed, the skin of
humans was exposed only to natural UV in
sunlight. We are only beginning to see the fallout
from skin exposure to brief but heavy doses of
artificial UV radiation.

Tanning beds are much more intense than natural
sun exposure. The amount of UV in tanning beds
averages double the UVB and four times the UVA in
natural sunlight. (33)

High-pressure units have been shown to have up to
14 times the UVA of mid-day natural sunlight. (34)
UV AND TANNING BEDS

Tanning units account for over 1,800 emergency
room visits a year for BURNS. This underestimates
the true number of burns handled in doctor’s
offices, urgent care facilities, or treated at
home. (38)

Tanning beds are minimally regulated. A warning
sign on the device is the only FDA requirement that
is enforced. (33)
TANNING BEDS AND SKIN CANCER

Tanning beds and UV radiation from the sun are
ranked “Group-1 carcinogens” of the World Health
Organization, based on broad science3. Other
carcinogens in the highest risk category include
radon, tobacco and asbestos.

Tanning bed use is linked to higher rates of all
three major forms of skin cancer (6).
TANNING BEDS AND SKIN CANCER

Indoor tanning is linked to more cancers than
cigarettes (5).

The Surgeon General calls skin cancer a major
public health problem. While fair skin and family
history of skin cancer contribute to risk, the most
common types of skin cancer are strongly
associated with exposure to UV radiation1.
IT IS A MYTH THAT TANNING BEDS ARE
SAFER THAN NATURAL SUNLIGHT

UV lamps in tanning beds emit ultra-concentrated
UV radiation (33); This is how you can get
noticeably darker skin in a short amount of time.

The concentration of UV light in tanning devices is
variable, and unregulated (34).

These short but concentrated doses of UV
radiation damage DNA in skin cells, causing
mutations that can lead to cancer (6).

Tanning beds can also harbor bacteria (39) and
viruses (40).
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