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| |  Tanning Beds: Hotbed Of Controversy NEW YORK, NY -- October 30, 1997 -- One million Americans a day are visiting over 18,000 tanning salons. Many of these salons promote themselves as safe because they use Ultraviolet A light sources. Yet these so-called safer lamps emit two to three times the amount of UVA that reaches the earth outdoors. UVA rays have a suspected link to malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer and like UVB rays, they also may be linked to immune system damage. The average 15-30 minute visit to a tanning salon equates to an entire day at the beach. Vincent DeLeo, MD, associate professor in the department of dermatology at Columbia University, St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital, spoke at the American Academy of Dermatology' Derm Update '97 about the controversy surrounding tanning beds. "Data from photobiologists have shown that although UVA is less efficient than shorter UVB radiation at inducing damage in many experimental systems, it certainly is not safe,” he said. “ New animal and human studies suggest that this form of radiation may in fact be related to melanoma induction and growth.” Other studies show tanning beds are capable of inducing skin and eye burns, alteration of the immune system's function, photoaging and non-melanoma skin cancers, Dr. DeLeo added. Tanning beds are also known to produce various forms of photosensitivity including photo-drug reactions involving many commonly-used medications and polymorphous light eruptions, commonly known as sun poisoning. Light therapies are used to treat certain skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema, but a trained dermatologist must still determine the risk/benefit ratio for each patient. Furthermore, UVA sources alone are not routinely used to treat skin disease. Feelings of well-being are sometimes attributed to tanning salons as well as the notion that it is better to have a base tan that will protect you from harmful burning rays from direct sun exposure. "There is little evidence to support any positive benefit from artificial tanning. It is of no benefit other than cosmetic," Dr. DeLeo said. “The acute risks are known and evidence exists that long term risks are significant.” In fact, even short-term indoor tanning may produce redness, itching and dry skin. The consequences of long-term indoor tanning are sagging, wrinkled skin, as well as skin cancers, he said. In the U.S., tanning salons are loosely regulated. Only 27 states and several municipalities have special rules and regulations affecting indoor tanning salons. A warning statement is required and instruction for use to avoid or minimize potential injury. These regulations are similar to those regarding tobacco usage. "Existing research demonstrates, at best, an incomplete understanding of UV dangers and side effects on the part of salon owners and operators," Dr. DeLeo said. He added stress should be placed on consumer education. "Tanning of any type, including tanning salon usage is dangerous. The educational process must begin in infancy and be strongly reinforced through the risk-taking adolescent period," Dr. DeLeo explained. “The focus should not just be on skin cancer, but on the unattractiveness of photoaging."
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