How can indoor tanning affect the risk of your health? •Tanning beds and skin cancer are closely related. The (UV) radiation from tanning beds is a known cause of cancer. ("Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer | Research." ) • Frequent tanners get about 12 times the UV dose compared to those who just receive sun exposure. ("Skin Cancer Research | Research.“) •Tanning causes premature aging, skin cancer, and plain dry and leathery skin. ("Airbrush Sunless Tanning”) •The skin ages quickly now since it has been exposed to such extreme heat and light, and this will happen no matter how much lotion and skin moisturizers you smear all over your body ("Airbrush Sunless Tanning”) UV radiation causes the destruction of collagen and connective tissues and makes the body vulnerable to skin disorders. Use of UV rays for such purposes has been the cause for premature aging, early wrinkles and reduction in skin elasticity. The human immune system is badly affected when continually exposed to UV radiation ("Dangers of Tanning Beds.“)

How is sunless tanning healthier for your body than indoor tanning? indoor tanning products are known to be safer as they don't cause premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. ("The Skin Cancer Foundation - Skin Cancer Facts.") The downside to indoor tanning products though is the unnatural tanned appearance with orange spots and streaks that make it very unappealing. ("Airbrush Sunless Tanning”) Sunless tanning products, also called self-tanners, can give your skin a tanned look without exposing it to harmful ultraviolet rays. (“Sunless tanning”) Sunless tanning products are commonly sold as creams, gels, lotions and sprays you apply to your skin. Professional spray-on tanning also is available at many salons, spas and tanning businesses (“Sunless tanning”)

How can the person's age affect the health risks of tanning? Older people are much more likely to get skin cancer than younger ones. ("The Skin Cancer Foundation - Skin Cancer Facts.") While older adults are at higher risk for developing skin cancer, skin cancer is rapidly rising in young adults aged 20 to 29. Due to the increase in use of tanning beds. ("Melanoma Cancer in Young People - The Epidemic of Melanoma Cancer in Young People.“) There is a 75% higher risk of melanoma in individuals who started using tanning beds before the age of 35("Melanoma Cancer in Young People - The Epidemic of Melanoma Cancer in Young People.“) Men and women born in 1970 now in their mid-30s are being diagnosed with melanoma. At the same rate as people who were born in 1930 and did not develop melanoma until their 50s. ("Deadly Skin Cancer Risk Soaring Among Young People.“)

What diseases or cancers from tanning are more harmful than others? All skin cancer types are more likely if a person uses a tanning salon. Even malignant melanoma is more likely using indoor tanners. Of all the skin cancer types, malignant melanoma is the deadliest. ("Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer | Research.“) Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is the second most common cancer in women aged 20 to 29. If not caught in its earliest stage, melanoma can easily spread to other parts of the body. ("Melanoma Cancer in Young People - The Epidemic of Melanoma Cancer in Young People.") One person dies of melanoma every hour (“The Skin Cancer Foundation - Skin Cancer Facts.“) the number of cases of pediatric melanoma has gone up 3 percent a year. ("The Skin Cancer Foundation - Skin Cancer Facts.“) Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of cancer worldwide and accounts for about 80% of all cases of skin cancer ("Basal Cell Carcinoma”) Almost all basal cell carcinomas occur on parts of the body excessively exposed to the sun. especially the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, and back. ("Basal Cell Carcinoma”)

How can a person’s skin type affect the risks of tanning? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Academy of Dermatology have developed six skin types. Classification into the various skin types is based on two causes: a person's sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds and the person's skin tone. (“Tanning Effects On Different Skin Types”) I - White skin, easily burns, never tans. II - Sensitive light skin, rarely tans, burns more often III - Light skin, tans more, burns equally IV - Light dark skin, tans more than burns V - Darker skin, rarely burns, tans darkly VI - Dark skin, never burns, dark even tans (“Tanning Effects On Different Skin Types”) The difference between skin types is the amount of melanin produced by the melanocytes. (“Tanning Effects On Different Skin Types”) Albinos, which would be considered skin type I, do not produce any melanin and are, consequently, at great risk for burning and suffering long-term skin damage. ("Tanning Effects On Different Skin Types - Tanning With Fair Skin And More.“) African-Americans or those of Mediterranean descent are constantly producing a certain amount of melanin and so are less prone to burning. ("Tanning Effects On Different Skin Types - Tanning With Fair Skin And More.“) Anyone in between the I and VI skin types tan at different ranges. Knowing your skin type helps to determine how long you can stay in the tanning bed. ("Tanning Effects On Different Skin Types - Tanning With Fair Skin And More.“)

What are the positive health affects of indoor tanning? UV rays are essential for the body to produce vitamin D, mature adults at risk for osteoporosis can gain health benefits from moderate tanning. Vitamin D is essential for absorbing calcium to prevent osteoporosis onset, and is essential for bone health. (“Tanning Beds”) Tanning also helps the body regulate the hormones serotonin and melatonin, which aid in healthy sleep cycles. Problems with sleeping are wide-spread among mature adults. (“Tanning Beds”) Concealing blemishes is a positive effect of tanning. A healthy glow reduces the contrast between red spots and the rest of the entire affected area without causing additional problems. A healthy glow reduces the contrast between red spots and the rest of the entire affected area without causing additional problems. (“Tanning Beds”)

How many people get skin cancer from tanning beds each year How many people get skin cancer from tanning beds each year? How much is it increasing? Up to 30 million people tan indoors every year and 2 million of those are teenagers ("The Skin Cancer Foundation - Skin Cancer Facts.“) Many new cases occur every year. Fifty thousand people will be diagnosed with malignant melanoma this year in the United States alone. Many others will have less dangerous forms of skin cancer. ("Skin Cancer Research | Research.“) Rates are predicted to go up by a further 70 per cent over the next 15 years as the effects of increased sun bed use ("The Skin Cancer Foundation - Skin Cancer Facts.“) Upwards of one million people are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma each year in the United States ("Basal Cell Carcinoma - Patient's Guide to Basal Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer.“) More than 1,700 people die from the disease. Melanoma is attacking younger people more often ("Deadly Skin Cancer Risk Soaring Among Young People.“)

What are the symptoms of skin cancer, and how can you find it yourself? A few skin cancer symptoms: An unusually large mole or other pigmented spot on your body A scar or other colorless area that wasn't there before mole or mark with uneven edges, shape or color. ("Skin Cancer Facts | Facts.“) A mole that sticks up over the surface of the skin and has a rough or textured surface ("Skin Cancer Facts | Facts.“) Checking out your skin or having your spouse or a relative do it for you can help you catch skin cancer early on. All types of skin cancer are easy to treat in the earliest stages. They can often be completely removed, leave very small scars, and have a low chance of coming back. ("Skin Cancer Facts | Facts.“)