Answer to Question #1604 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I would like to use a tanning bed for one special occasion. I have never used one before and, as of now, have no intention of using one again after this. If I lie for one month only, what are the probabilities of me being harmfully affected? (I usually tan well in the sun and have dark hair and eyes.)

A

Please see the more detailed information on UV and tanning booths in an article on our Web site. Note especially the Web sites referenced at the end of that article. Expert bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration do recommend that tanning booths should be avoided. This does not mean that everyone who uses a tanning booth will have an adverse health effect. Likewise, people who go out in the sunlight unprotected from the UV will not all suffer harmful effects. Of course, we should be aware that some harmful effects like skin cancer take many years to appear. Expert recommendations are made based on health studies from large groups of people. And among large groups of people, it has been found that there is a significant increase in the risk of harmful health effects from UV light. The risk of harmful efects is not 100% even if you are exposed to UV every day, and the risk cannot be reduced to zero even if you competely eliminate UV exposure. But what you can do is minimize your risk by taking reasonable measures such as avoiding unnecessary or excessive exposure. In making individual decisions about health effects and risk it is usually a good idea to consult your own physician to identify risk factors that you should consider in your own personal case. Gary Zeman, ScD, CHP