Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSkin Cancer RisksPremature AgingThe “Base Tan"Proven Protection
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Skin Cancer Risks
Premature Aging
The “Base Tan”
Proven Protection
Some people feel that visiting a tanning salon regularly or getting a “base tan” for an upcoming vacation can avoid skin damage or sunburns. Maybe you have heard this and are wondering if wearing sunscreen can help.
This article reviews the risks of indoor tanning, including skin cancer and premature aging, the base tan myth, and proven sun protection strategies.
okanmetin/Getty Images
The primary reason why using tanning beds, with or without sunscreen, is not advised is the risk of skin cancer. Research has repeatedly shown tanning beds are not safe. They increase the risk of skin cancer, particularlymelanoma, a serious type ofskin cancerthat can be life-threatening.
Artificial tanning (including tanning beds, booths, and facial tanners) accounts for over 400,000 skin cancer cases in the United States each year. Over 6,000 of those cases are melanoma.
Beyond increasing cancer risk, tanning beds also cause premature aging. Frequent UV exposure can cause brown spots, lax skin, photodamage, fine lines and wrinkles, and a leatherlike texture.
The Mythical Base Tan
It is a common myth that getting a “base tan” before vacation will protect you from sunburn. The testimonies of travelers who frequent tropical destinations sound convincing, but they are more likely due todiligent sunscreenuse rather than any preestablished tan.
When people are trying to establish a base tan to protect their skin, they are actually doing more harm than good—and they are often surprised when they still get sunburned afterward.
Tanning Bed Rash: How to Identify and Treat It
To avoid burning, practice sun-safety procedures that have been proven effective in protecting the skin. Your first line of defense is to apply sunscreen when outdoors and apply it frequently. Avoid using a tanning bed entirely.
The American Cancer Society recommends applyingsunscreenwith a sun protection factor (SPF)of 30 or more before going outdoors.Higher SPF levels are available but offer only a minimal amount of increased protection.
Other sun-savvy tips include:
What Does the SPF Number Mean?
Summary
Wearing sunscreen in a tanning bed prevents you from getting the bronze tan you are after. It also fails to protect your skin as it is only effective against natural UV rays. Tanning beds are not recommended because research repeatedly shows they are not safe. They can cause premature aging and skin cancer.
Some people feel that getting a “base tan” before sun exposure can help protect their skin. However, it is not effective against sunburn, and it is doing more damage than good. To avoid sunburn or sun damage, it’s best to use scientifically proven sun-safety techniques to help protect your skin.
The Hidden Dangers of Tanning Nasal Sprays That You Should Be Aware Of
A Word From Verywell
Practice sun safety to protect your skin when outdoors, and consider wearing a topical bronzer or makeup.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Le Clair MZ, Cockburn MG.Tanning bed use and melanoma: Establishing risk and improving prevention interventions.Prev Med Rep. 2016;3:139-144. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.11.016World Health Organization.Restricting the use of sunbeds to prevent skin cancer.Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2017;95:798–199. doi:10.2471/BLT.17.021217United States Department of Health and Human Services.Skin cancer. Quick facts from the surgeon general.Skin Cancer Foundation.Skin cancer facts and statisticsGarone M, Howard J, Fabrikant J.A review of common tanning methods.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(2):43-47.Brouse CH, Basch CE, Neugut AI.Warning signs observed in tanning salons in New York City: Implications for skin cancer prevention.Prev Chronic Dis. 2011;8(4):A88.Laughter MR, Anderson JB, Aguilera MN, Sadeghpour M, Pugliano-Mauro M.Indoor tanning: Evidence surrounding advertised health claims.Clin Dermatol. 2021;39(5):865-872. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2021.08.015American Academy of Dermatology.Prevent skin cancer.Sivamani RK, Crane LA, Dellavalle RP.The benefits and risks of ultraviolet tanning and its alternatives: The role of prudent sun exposure.Dermatol Clin. 2009;27(2):149-54, vi. doi:10.1016/j.det.2008.11.008American Cancer Society.Spend time outside and stay sun-safe.Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer: incident rates.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Le Clair MZ, Cockburn MG.Tanning bed use and melanoma: Establishing risk and improving prevention interventions.Prev Med Rep. 2016;3:139-144. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.11.016World Health Organization.Restricting the use of sunbeds to prevent skin cancer.Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2017;95:798–199. doi:10.2471/BLT.17.021217United States Department of Health and Human Services.Skin cancer. Quick facts from the surgeon general.Skin Cancer Foundation.Skin cancer facts and statisticsGarone M, Howard J, Fabrikant J.A review of common tanning methods.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(2):43-47.Brouse CH, Basch CE, Neugut AI.Warning signs observed in tanning salons in New York City: Implications for skin cancer prevention.Prev Chronic Dis. 2011;8(4):A88.Laughter MR, Anderson JB, Aguilera MN, Sadeghpour M, Pugliano-Mauro M.Indoor tanning: Evidence surrounding advertised health claims.Clin Dermatol. 2021;39(5):865-872. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2021.08.015American Academy of Dermatology.Prevent skin cancer.Sivamani RK, Crane LA, Dellavalle RP.The benefits and risks of ultraviolet tanning and its alternatives: The role of prudent sun exposure.Dermatol Clin. 2009;27(2):149-54, vi. doi:10.1016/j.det.2008.11.008American Cancer Society.Spend time outside and stay sun-safe.Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer: incident rates.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Le Clair MZ, Cockburn MG.Tanning bed use and melanoma: Establishing risk and improving prevention interventions.Prev Med Rep. 2016;3:139-144. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.11.016World Health Organization.Restricting the use of sunbeds to prevent skin cancer.Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2017;95:798–199. doi:10.2471/BLT.17.021217United States Department of Health and Human Services.Skin cancer. Quick facts from the surgeon general.Skin Cancer Foundation.Skin cancer facts and statisticsGarone M, Howard J, Fabrikant J.A review of common tanning methods.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(2):43-47.Brouse CH, Basch CE, Neugut AI.Warning signs observed in tanning salons in New York City: Implications for skin cancer prevention.Prev Chronic Dis. 2011;8(4):A88.Laughter MR, Anderson JB, Aguilera MN, Sadeghpour M, Pugliano-Mauro M.Indoor tanning: Evidence surrounding advertised health claims.Clin Dermatol. 2021;39(5):865-872. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2021.08.015American Academy of Dermatology.Prevent skin cancer.Sivamani RK, Crane LA, Dellavalle RP.The benefits and risks of ultraviolet tanning and its alternatives: The role of prudent sun exposure.Dermatol Clin. 2009;27(2):149-54, vi. doi:10.1016/j.det.2008.11.008American Cancer Society.Spend time outside and stay sun-safe.
Le Clair MZ, Cockburn MG.Tanning bed use and melanoma: Establishing risk and improving prevention interventions.Prev Med Rep. 2016;3:139-144. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.11.016
World Health Organization.Restricting the use of sunbeds to prevent skin cancer.Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2017;95:798–199. doi:10.2471/BLT.17.021217
United States Department of Health and Human Services.Skin cancer. Quick facts from the surgeon general.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Skin cancer facts and statistics
Garone M, Howard J, Fabrikant J.A review of common tanning methods.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(2):43-47.
Brouse CH, Basch CE, Neugut AI.Warning signs observed in tanning salons in New York City: Implications for skin cancer prevention.Prev Chronic Dis. 2011;8(4):A88.
Laughter MR, Anderson JB, Aguilera MN, Sadeghpour M, Pugliano-Mauro M.Indoor tanning: Evidence surrounding advertised health claims.Clin Dermatol. 2021;39(5):865-872. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2021.08.015
American Academy of Dermatology.Prevent skin cancer.
Sivamani RK, Crane LA, Dellavalle RP.The benefits and risks of ultraviolet tanning and its alternatives: The role of prudent sun exposure.Dermatol Clin. 2009;27(2):149-54, vi. doi:10.1016/j.det.2008.11.008
American Cancer Society.Spend time outside and stay sun-safe.
American Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer: incident rates.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
