What did researchers find in the skin cells of tanning bed users?

Researchers found significant DNA damage, including precursor mutations for melanoma, across nearly the entire surface of the skin.

Are tanning beds safer than the sun, as often marketed?

No, this study indicates tanning beds emit UV radiation 10-15 times stronger than the sun, causing severe damage and increasing cancer risk.

Home / Health / Gen Z's Tan Obsession: A Cancerous Choice?

Gen Z's Tan Obsession: A Cancerous Choice?

Q: How do tanning beds affect skin cancer risk according to the study?

Tanning bed users are nearly three times more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

14 Dec

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Summary

Tanning bed use nearly triples melanoma risk.
DNA damage found across nearly all skin cells.
Young women experience decades of UV damage early.

Gen Z's Tan Obsession: A Cancerous Choice?

Young people, especially women, are increasingly opting for indoor tanning, a trend dermatologists find alarming. A study published in Science Advances found that tanning bed users are nearly three times more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Researchers discovered significant DNA damage in skin cells of tanning bed users, even in areas that appear normal, indicating a strong link to melanoma development.

The study compared nearly 3,000 tanning bed users to a control group, revealing a direct correlation between exposure frequency and melanoma risk. Those with 10 to 50 tanning bed sessions had double the risk, while over 200 sessions increased the risk more than eightfold. This level of exposure can be achieved rapidly, with weekly sessions over four years equating to over 200 exposures.

Furthermore, genetic sequencing showed that young women using tanning beds exhibited more DNA mutations than much older individuals in the general population. This suggests that indoor tanning can inflict two lifetimes' worth of UV damage in just three decades. Despite marketing claims of safety, tanning beds emit radiation significantly stronger than the sun, leading to severe health consequences and emotional burdens for those diagnosed with cancer at a young age.