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Answer to Question #6540 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Suntanning The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
I am 19 years old. I have had surgery performed and can't be exposed to
sunlight. So, I decided to use a tanning bed. My relatives are
frightening me about its negative side effects. If I used a tanning bed
three or four times, is it too risky? Does it differ a lot from
suntanning?
A
Thank you for your questions. I'm not sure what "too risky" means,
but using a tanning bed three or four times will increase your chances
of skin cancer—it would be a very small chance though. Skin cancer is
more likely in those individuals who frequently tan (in the sun or
using a tanning bed). The more you tan, the more your chances of skin
cancer are increased. There are some differences between suntanning and
bed tanning; for our purposes, though, the differences don't impact my
answer.
Ultraviolet (UV) light has been associated with an increased chance of
skin cancer in studies that have looked at individuals who have skin
cancer. Major scientific and medical organizations have agreed that UV
light causes an increased risk of skin cancer and recommend that you
limit your exposure to UV—both from natural sunlight and from
tanning booths. The relationship between exposure and cancer risk is
not clear. It may be different for different people. So it is not
possible to say how long a tanning bed has to be used before causing
skin cancer, although we do believe that more use increases your risk.
Answer posted on 18 June 2007. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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