No such thing as a safe tan

After an underwhelming summer, you may be entertaining thoughts of topping up your tan on the sun bed, but according to several new studies there may be no such thing as a ‘safe’ tan based on UV radiation.

Tanning and skin cancer seem to begin with the same event - DNA damage

After a large scale review of evidence, researchers in the fields of cell biology, dermatology and epidemiology have called for the use of such beds by under-18s to be banned, along with any publicity that claims that tanning beds are safe.

Papers published in Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, the official journal of The International Federation of Pigment Cell Societies (IFPCS) and the Society for Melanoma Research, suggest that both tanning and skin cancer seem to begin with the same event - DNA damage caused by UV exposure. This leads the researchers to suggest that a ‘safe’ tan with UV may be a physical impossibility.

In one of three papers, Dr David Fisher - dermatologist and president of the Society of Melanoma Research, and colleagues from the Massachusetts General Hospital - have explored the social issues and molecular mechanisms related to tanning caused by UV exposure.

They conclude: “UVR exposure represents one of the most avoidable causes of cancer risk and mortality in man. Whereas genetic and other factors undoubtedly contribute importantly to skin cancer risk, the role of UV is incontrovertible, and efforts to confuse the public, particularly for purposes of economic gain by the indoor tanning industry, should be vigorously combated for the public health.”

Although more research is required, published data suggest that indoor tanning beds, which are used most by young women, are linked to an increased risk of melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer), and do not support the idea that tanning beds are safe. The WHO have estimated that, in the year 2000, up to 71 000 deaths worldwide were attributed to excessive UV exposure.