Tanning beds: Safer than the sun?

Are tanning beds safer than natural sunlight?

- Tricia / Illinois

Mayo Clinic dermatologist Lawrence Gibson, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

No. There is no safe tan. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation — whether from sunlight or tanning beds — damages your skin, increasing your risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. In fact, malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, has seen a sharp rise in recent years, perhaps due to the increased exposure to UV radiation from both the sun and tanning beds.

You can prevent skin damage by limiting your exposure to UV radiation and by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen. If you want the golden glow of a tan without exposure to damaging UV radiation, consider using sunless tanning products or bronzers. Keep in mind, however, many of these products do not contain sunscreen and won't protect you from UV radiation.