Indoor tanning can pose just as much of a health risk as tanning under the sun, local experts claim.
Theresa Swaim, a nurse at William Chapman Dermatology, said the effects of indoor tanning may not be immediately noticeable, but years later, those who use tanning beds have a greater chance of developing skin cancer than the average person.
According to the American Cancer Society's Web site, tanning beds release high levels of UV radiation which cause premature aging of the skin and significantly increase the risk of skin cancer.
Short term tanning can cause red, itchy and dry skin. Long-term tanning can cause sagging, wrinkled skin. Tanning beds can also harm the eyes and damage the immune system, Swaim said.
"Right now it's nice to have that nice tan, but years down the road it can cause leathery, wrinkled skin, which isn't very nice looking," she said.
Mike Pick, owner of A Golden Edge, a local tanning salon that has been in business for 17 years, said he uses the most up-to-date technology to prevent skin damage from indoor tanning. He said he uses European tanning beds, which use more UVA.
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Pick said there are two main types of radiation used in indoor tanning, UVA and UVB. UVB is what causes skin to become red or dry. He has developed his own unique tanning procedure called "Sun Spray," which uses three chemical solutions to reduce UVB radiation and skin damage.
He also counsels all customers and keeps individual records of their tanning time to reduce the risk of overexposure.
"The main key is to educate the client," Pick said.
He said his salon is nationally certified and that he attends training sessions each year so he can update with the newest technology.
Pick said the age range of clients he sees is from the teens to early forties.
UNM sophomore Renee Stone said she decided to use indoor tanning because she has fair skin and wanted to condition her skin for the sun.
"I really don't like the sun," Stone said. "It can be so damaging for people like me with fair skin."
Stone said she was aware of the risks associated with indoor tanning and that she began slowly over the spring and summer to achieve the tan she desired.
Swain recommended that people wear sunscreen on a daily basis with an SPF of 15 or above, a hat and long sleeves. She also said that people should not forget areas such as the back of the neck or the ears, where skin cancer commonly forms because of negligence, Swaim said.
She pointed out that sun bathing outside is the same as indoor tanning and can pose the same risks.
"Tan in moderation," Swaim said. "I wouldn't recommend it for long periods of time."
