Indoor tanning is worse than exposure to natural sunlight. Indoor tanning offers a controlled environment to obtain a cosmetic tan. The FDA uses 21 CFR 1040.20 to regulate indoor tanning. Indoor tanning is controlled by skin type via a timer system, with the risk of erythema or sunburn minimized. Natural sunlight offers no such control.
Tanning beds are 15 times stronger than natural sunlight. UV intensity is affected by such factors as time of year, time of day, cloud cover, pollutants, proximity to the equator and reflective surfaces.
Getting a base tan or pre-tan is helpful in preventing later sunburn. A base tan obtained from a sunbed can provide an SPF of 2-4. Although not sufficient to protect us from the outside sun; those that go to the beach with a base tan achieved in moderation from indoor tanning and using proper SPF’s, will have a much better opportunity to avoid sunburn.
Dermatologists are seeing more skin cancer among women in their 20s and 30s. An estimated 8,000 men and women may die from melanoma in 2007; 90% of them are above age 45 (the median age is 58). Indoor tanners are predominantly female (75%), the incidence and fatality rate of melanoma is much higher for men than women. More people are going to dermatologists for skin cancer screenings than ever before. It’s a good thing that people understand the benefit for screening and early detection.
Indoor tanning causes melanoma, especially in young people.
• From the American Cancer Society: While people with excessive exposure to light from UV are at greater risk for skin cancer, including melanoma, other factors also play a role:
• Moles: A person who has many moles is more likely to develop melanoma. A dysplastic nevus, or atypical mole, is a type of mole that particularly increases a person’s risk of melanoma.
• Fair Skin, freckling or light hair: are at increased risk.
• Family History: Risk of melanoma is greater if one or more of your first-degree relatives has been diagnosed with melanoma.
• Immune Suppression: People treated with medicines that suppress the immune system, have increased risk of developing melanoma.
• Gender: Men have a higher rate of melanoma than women.
The key for those that weigh the risks and benefits of tanning and choose indoor alternative is moderation.
Joe Schuster is the VP of Sales and Marketing for Light Sources, Inc. He can be contacted by email at Joe_Isi@bellsouth.net, or visit www.light-sources.com for more information.
