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Monitoring Tanning Bed Effects

Since tanning beds utilize powerful ultraviolet radiation to encourage the bronzing tans that are so sought after, it is important to be watchful of the effects of using a tanning bed. There are risk factors that do come with using a tanning bed. One of the most serious effects from tanning bed use is the risk of skin cancer, which is also known medically as malignant melanoma.

It is also known that extensive exposure to ultraviolet radiation can have a negative affect on the human immune system. When you constantly expose your skin to ultraviolet radiation, it can speed up the aging process of the skin, and cause the development of wrinkles. It is possible to not even see these slight changes taking place to your skin, but once you approach middle age, the changes will become more noticeable.

People who already have dark skin will have a harder time seeing the visible skin damage that can result from ultraviolet rays, but nevertheless, the damage is still occurring and it can result in skin cancer. Those with very fair skin are even more susceptible to the negative effects of ultraviolet rays and should be vigilant and watchful for skin problems and indications of skin cancer.

The type of ultraviolet radiation that is emitted by the lamps contained in tanning beds is classified as UVA radiation. This is different from the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun, which is UVB radiation. It does not make the UVA rays of a tanning bed any safer, as which ever you expose your skin to can cause problems. The exposure to UVA rays from a tanning bed has been linked with causing malignant melanomas, and both UVA and UVB radiation have been associated with weakening the immune system.

There have been many warning advisories placed on the use of tanning beds and sun lamps, which have resulted from the numerous studies and research done by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Medical Association (AMA). It is important that you take these warnings seriously, and even more so if you have developed a suspicious mole, scaly patch of skin or a sore that does not heal well. If you have a mole that bleeds, itches, changes color and changes in diameter, you should have it examined by your physician.

There are even warnings issued that require youths, boys and girls under 16 years of age to avoid the use of tanning beds because their skin is still tender and supple, and this makes it more susceptible to burning. Also, those with freckles, or those with red hair or light hair, or those who use medicine or creams that make them or their skin more sensitive to sunlight, should avoid tanning beds. A person who already has moles or skin lesions or has a family history of cancer is also recommended to not use tanning beds. These warnings are in place to give guidance to those who are interested in using a tanning bed, and should be taken seriously.

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