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What Are the Dangers of Solariums?

People often visit a solarium, or tanning bed, to get a quicker tan, especially those in less sunny regions. A solarium emits the same ultraviolet (UV) light that causes tanning, but much more of it. The dangers of using a solarium are just as bad as too much sunlight, sometimes worse. Despite the overwhelming evidence that a solarium increases the risk of cancer, the myth that a solarium tan is healthier than a suntan still persists.

  1. Identification

    • People visit a solarium to achieve a darker skin tone for a more pleasing aesthetic appearance. The solarium is a body-sized encapsulation that uses UV light emitting lamps to enhance the tanning process. The Cancer Council of Western Australia reports that a solarium exposes a person to up to fives time more UV radiation than natural light.

    Eye Damage

    • The Cancer Council of Western Australia advises that eye protection should always be worn in a solarium. A solarium emits a type of UV light called UVA, which can cause severe eye inflammations of the cornea. Although this is usually a short-term effect, sometimes it is enough for permanent damage. Long-term damage to the eye includes the development of cataracts.

    Premature Aging

    • According to the Australian Government's Better Health website, prolonged use of a solarium ages the skin faster than normal UV light from the sun. A solarium emits much more of the type of UV rays that can penetrate deep within the skin. This causes the skin to become less elastic because of lower levels of collage. Solarium UV also causes dark, blotchy patches of skin.

    Cancer

    • Although sunlight also aids in the development of skin cancer, those who frequently use a solarium are especially at risk, according to Australia's NSW Health Department. Those with fair skin or freckles should avoid using tanning beds. UV rays can damage the skin and directly cause cancer or weaken the skin's immune system, preventing DNA repair.

    Warning

    • Some proprietors of solarium services claim that a tan from a solarium is healthier than a natural tan and that one should visit a solarium for a "pre-tan" than protects against UV radiation from the sun. The myth of the "pre-tan" is not true, according to Australia's Better Health website. The Better Health website reports that use of a solarium before the age of 35 years has been show to increase the likelihood of melanoma skin cancer by up to 92 percent.

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