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Risks of Solariums

Solariums, or tanning booths, are indoor tanning facilities that use UV lamps to reproduce the radiation of direct sunlight. Health organizations around the world have been vocal in their disapproval of such facilities because of the physical and psychological health risks that solariums present. Overexposure to UV radiation can lead to certain types of skin cancer and other problems.

  1. Melanoma

    • According to the National Cancer Institute, 68,130 men and women in the United States were diagnosed with melanoma of the skin in 2010. Of those, approximately 8,700 have died or will die from it. Various government-approved reports, including one conducted by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE), have directly linked UV radiation at solariums with skin cancers.

    Premature Aging of the Skin

    • Solariums and tanning machines also can cause premature aging of the skin. In the short term, this means the skin can become sore and blister. Long term, exposure to UVA and UVB radiation can cause the skin to become coarse and leathery.

    Eye Damage

    • A World Health Organization's 2010 fact sheet stated that overexposure to UV radiation also can damage the eyes. In the short term, people who use solariums are at risk of photoconjunctivitis -- the inflammation of the outer layer of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. Longer-term risks include a greater chance of getting cataracts later in life.

    Addiction

    • A recent study of 421 U.S. college students, funded by the National Cancer Institute, showed that more than half used indoor tanning facilities. The modern fixation with appearance, as emphasized by the media's promotion of celebrity culture, has caused some people to become addicted to the idea of attaining a "perfect" tan.

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