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With the official start of spring just weeks away (March 20th, FYI), many people are trying to get rid of their ghostly-white complexion from winter. But before you go signing up for a 1-month membership at your local indoor tanning bed, there are a few things you should know. Sure, it may create a bronze-colored tan, but it doesn’t come without consequence.

Indoor tanning beds feature high-tech UV lights to mimic the sun’s natural light. I guess you could compare the lights in a tanning bed to an intensified version of sunlight. Because they contain stronger and more powerful UV lights, individuals can achieve a tan in a shorter amount of time.

Indoor Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who begin using indoor tanning beds before the age of 35 are 59% more likely to develop the skin cancer melanoma (note skincancer.org suggests indoor tanning increases one’s risk of melanoma by 74%).

Each year, an estimated 10,000 people die from melanoma, making it one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. While early detection is key to treating melanoma, both men and women should take the necessary precautions to reduce their risk, and that includes saying “no” to indoor tanning beds.

Other Dangers…

Don’t assume that skin cancer is the only risk associated with indoor tanning beds. The powerful UV lights encourage the formation of cancerous cells within the eye. Although eye cancer isn’t as rare as skin cancer, it’s equally as dangerous.

Yet another danger posed by indoor tanning beds is the potential for burning. Most modern-day tanning beds have built-in timers that automatically cut off after the desired time (usually 20-25 minutes max). However, when these safeguards fail, the individual may fall asleep or let the time slide by, at which point they can suffer serious skin burns. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that indoor tanning bed burns result in 3,000 hospital emergency visits each year.

So, How Should I Tan?

You’re probably wondering how to safely achieve a tan without placing yourself at risk for skin cancer, eye cancer or burns. One option is to use a spray tan. There are dozens of spray tan products available which mimic the look of a real tan — but without the risk of cancer. If you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself, you can always hire a professional to perform it for you.