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How Do Tanning Beds Affect Atoms in Your Body?

Tanning, whether from the sun or from a tanning bed, happens when your skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Always be mindful of the time you spend getting a tan. Too much long-term exposure leads to skin damage.

  1. Description

    • A tanning bed uses special UV lights to produce a tanning effect in human skin. This is a useful substitute for sunlight, especially during winter months when the sun's rays are weaker.

    Ionizing Radiation

    • Ionizing radiation, such as UV light and X rays, strips electrons from atoms exposed to it. It can damage molecules in living tissue. UV light used for tanning has a mild ionizing effect.

    Ultraviolet Light

    • UV is a range of light wavelengths from about 1 to 400 nanometers. The shortest wavelengths are very dangerous and harmful to human skin. Tanning beds use UV light in the range of 300 to 400 nanometers.

    Melanin

    • Skin cells respond to the mild damage done by UV by producing more melanin, an enzyme. This protects the skin by making it darker.

    Long-Term Effects

    • Too much exposure to UV in the short term leads to sunburn. Over years, skin will wrinkle prematurely and the risk of skin cancer increases.

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