Tanning is getting hot again. Here’s what it really does to your skin
Summary
Tanning beds are becoming popular again, especially among young people, despite the known risks. Using tanning beds greatly increases the chance of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, because the UV light they emit causes dangerous changes to the skin’s cells.Key Facts
- Tanning beds emit more than 10 times the UV light that the sun does.
- People who use tanning beds have almost three times the risk of developing melanoma compared to non-users.
- UV light from tanning beds causes mutations in melanocytes, skin cells that can develop into melanoma.
- DNA mutations in skin cells from tanning bed users are more than twice as common as in those only exposed to natural sunlight.
- Over 100,000 new melanoma cases are expected in the U.S. in 2026, with about 8,500 deaths.
- Many young adults on social media believe tanning looks better and ignore the risks, spreading misinformation about tanning safety.
- A 2025 survey found many young people wrongly think a “base tan” protects against sunburn and prioritize tanning over skin protection.
- Experts advise avoiding UV exposure during peak times and using sunscreen, but some social media users discourage these precautions.
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