Is Sunbathing on a Bed Safer than Tanning in the Sun?
In addition to skin cancer (including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma), UV radiation is linked to a variety of other skin problems, including premature skin aging. This is true whether the radiation comes from the sun or artificial sources such as sun lamps and tanning booths (photo aging ). Tanning beds make use of fluorescent lights, which primarily emit UVA while also emitting small amounts of UVB. UVA radiation can be up to three times stronger than UVA radiation found in natural sunlight, while the intensity of UVB radiation can be comparable to that of intense sunlight. The Facts Long-term population studies were the first to reveal the damaging effects of sunshine. Because tanning beds are relatively new phenomena, first emerging commercially in the United States in the late 1970s, our understanding of the dangers connected with them has progressed more slowly. However, growing research has revealed a connection between tanning bed usage and all ski...