Indoor Tanning Risks
This past July, indoor tanning joined the ranks of cigarettes and arsenic, finally earning classification as a bona fide carcinogenic. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an expert committee of the World Health Organization, placed tanning beds in the highest risk category, declaring them “carcinogenic to humans."
Indoor tanning in the U.S. makes up a $5 billion industry, with 25,000 professional indoor tanning facility businesses and a customer base of 30 million people. Each year, 10% of Americans visit an indoor tanning facility. 2.3 million are teenagers. 71% are women aged 16-29.
On its public website, the Indoor Tanning Association heralds the benefits of indoor tanning. ITA says tanning is natural—“what your body is designed to do.” Moderate exposure to the sun or UV light is “absolutely” good for you and in fact, indoor tanning is actually safer than outdoor tanning. Skin cancer—the elephant in the room—merits no concern, says ITA. There is no association or “connection between melanoma and UV exposure from tanning beds.”
The tanning industry markets itself as a healthy and beneficial service. “Tanning is a lifestyle. Tanning is relaxing and makes us look good and feel good. So why not celebrate it?!” asks the 2008/2009 LOOKING FIT ® Tanning Fact Book.
According to medical experts, there is little reason to celebrate. There is “convincing evidence to support a causal relationship” between indoor tanning and melanoma, says the IARC report. Moreover, the study suggests that indoor tanning is particularly dangerous for young customers, since exposure to indoor tanning before the age of 35 may increase melanoma risk by 75%. And all of this is taking place as melanoma rates continue to skyrocket.
Despite the high risk, teenagers are a prime demographic of the tanning industry. Most of the 2.3 million teen customers are girls. A 2000 survey found that 42% of teen girls had tried indoor tanning. That’s nearly half of all American teenage girls—a startling statistic.
Research suggests that these girls are influenced by an adolescent culture that worships tan skin. Although many teens are aware of the health risks associated with tanning, they continue to seek UV ray exposure. "We're so wrapped up in the instant gratification we don't really worry about it," explains one teen.
But that instant gratification has consequences, above all for young tanners. Professor of Public Health at San Diego State University, Joni Mayer, says that tanning is dangerous for all, but especially for teens because they “are very interested in looking tan and don't often think about the consequences of any of their behaviors."
Mayer’s solution is simple: "Our data and other data indicate that those under age 17 need to be banned from tanning beds."
Assisted by Jess Begen.
