UV radiation, whether from the sun or a tanning bed, changes the structure of your skin, making you look older faster. The damage lasts long after the tan fades. Over time, damage builds up and causes skin to age and wrinkle. You cannot reverse the damage once it is done. These changes can be seen in people starting in their teens and early twenties:
International cancer experts have moved tanning beds into the top cancer risk category. Guess what else is in that category? Cigarettes, asbestos, and arsenic.
Skin cancer is no longer just happening to older people.
Melanoma - the deadliest type of skin cancer - is one of the most common cancers in people who are 15 to 29 years old. Young skin is more vulnerable to UV damage, so the earlier someone starts using tanning beds, the higher their risk of skin cancer later in life.
If you've ever used tanning beds, you increase your risk of:
If you start using tanning beds before you are 35, you increase your risk of:
Self-tanners such as lotions and creams, and tinted makeup such as bronzers are safe ways to fake a tan without the UV radiation. Don't forget that you'll still need to use sun protection. Some makeup products have an SPF rating - but you would have to apply lots of it and re-apply it to get enough protection.