You’ve likely heard that tanning beds have been cited as a reason for inflating skin cancer rates, but researchers also suggest the booths cause thousands of immediate injuries every year.
Tanning bed injuries have significantly decreased from a decade ago, but nearly 2,000 people were injured in tanning beds in 2012. 1,957 tanners visited emergency rooms as a result of burns, fainting or other related injuries in 2012, which is down from 2003 when hospitals treated 6,487 patients ailing from tanning bed injuries. Overall, an average of 3,200 people have been injured by tanning beds each year since 2003.
“We’ve seen several studies showing indoor tanning increases the risk of skin cancer, both melanoma and non-melanoma,” contributing to about 400,000 cancers a year in the United States, said CDC researcher Gery Guy. “We’re looking at more acute injuries.”
Researchers say they aren’t exactly sure why acute tanning injuries have fallen so drastically over the course of a decade, but they hope it’s because people aren’t using the machines as frequently. John Overstreet, executive director of the Indoor Tanning Association, said the drop in injuries has not coincided with any large drop in tanners.
“These businesses take the welfare of the customers seriously,” said Overstreet. “Injured customers are unhappy customers, and staff is trained to show the customer how to use the equipment properly and make sure people are not overexposed or sunburned.”
Tanning Injuries
As you might have guessed, burns top the list of most common tanning bed injuries. Some findings from the report include:
- Nearly 80 percent of injuries requiring an ER visit were for skin burns.
- 6 percent were for eye injuries.
- 9.5 percent were from people who got dizzy or passed out due to overheating.
- The rest of the injuries were cuts or similar injuries.
- The majority of people who suffered a tanning injury were young white women.
- 13 percent were under the age of 18.
Dermatologist Darrel Rigel said he’s not surprised by the findings.
“The burns I’ve seen have been pretty intense, the kind that can leave a scar. It’s a serious problem,” said Rigel. “The earlier you start, the worse it is, but like with cigarette smoking, it always pays to stop.”
Dr. Silverman comments
I’m always amazed at how many people are willing to cook themselves and increase their risk of skin cancer in order to achieve what they believe is a more beautiful look. If you want to do something regularly to enhance your appearance, opt for a run instead of frying yourself like a lobster.
Related source: USA Today