It is common knowledge that ultraviolet rays from tanning beds create serious risk for skin cancer. Now, a new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology takes that knowledge a step further.
The study finds that UVA rays, the most common form of rays from tanning beds, may penetrate to the basal layer of the skin, a deeper level that is most vulnerable to main types of skin cancer. This new information is the latest in a heated debate over tanning salons and possible new regulations for teenagers.
“In my Tampa dermatology practice, I am seeing an uptick in people in their early twenties with suspicious lesions,” says Dr. Seth Forman. “Most of my young melanoma patients have used tanning beds in the past.”
The findings come the same week as California passed a law banning indoor tanning for those under 18 years old. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also been considering a federal ban on indoor tanning for minors.
“Many tanning salons boast their usage of UVA rays over UVB rays to produce a deeper tan,” says the Tampa dermatologist. “This sheds light on a larger problem because UVA rays rarely produce a visible sunburn, making it exceptionally dangerous since tanning bed users can’t see the damage.”
The Tampa dermatologist believes that tanning salons should be more careful about their use of misleading marketing phrases. “When teenagers hear things like ‘tanning beds produce vitamin D’ and they ‘help prevent acne,’ they may be more likely to disregard the serious health risks.”
“Whether or not the federal government chooses to add more regulations to the indoor tanning bed industry, the facts show that they are dangerous for your skin.” The Tampa dermatologist adds, “It is best to avoid them entirely and use sunscreen when in direct sunlight.”
About Dr. Seth Forman: Dr. Forman is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Tampa, Florida. He was voted the Best dermatologist in Carrollwood in August 2011 by the Carrollwood News and Tribune. He has two Tampa dermatology offices; one in Carrollwood and the other in Downtown Tampa. He opened the Tampa Psoriasis Center in his Carrollwood office in 2010. The center gives psoriasis sufferers access to the latest treatment options, including topical and oral medications, as well as biological and phototherapy. Dr. Forman is one of the few Tampa dermatologists to offer narrowband light therapy, which uses pharmaceutical grade light to suppress psoriasis.
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What is pharmaceutical grade light. Is it a mix of UV light , is it red light? You condemn the tanning industry for its use of UV But what exactly is pharmaceutical grade light. What is the long term damage caused by this light use. is there an age restriction on any phototherapy doctors use???? Why not?
Also you recommend sunscreen without caution yet there are chemicals in sun screen that not only cause cancer but are absorbed by the skin into our blood stream.Several studies have shown high cancer rates amoung sunsceen users Why doesn’t anybody ever talk about that?