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Tanning beds emit two different types of UV rays – Ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B, better known as UVA and UVB. UVA is associated with radiation that penetrates the skin. UVB is the radiation that causes sun burns. Too much UV rays can be very harmful to the skin. Even though you are using a tanning bed you can still be at risk of different ailments due to the exposure to UVA and UVB rays. The biggest risk with UVA exposure is skin cancer. In can lower your immune system, cause tumors and lesions on the skin, and in some cases result in death. Even moderate tanning can expose you to harmful UVA rays and increase your risk of skin cancer. Each year more than 38,000 new causes of skin cancer due to UV rays are detected. At least 7,000 people die from the various types of skin cancer caused by UV rays annually. UVA can also affect your immune system by making you more susceptible to different illnesses and viruses. Those individuals who are the most at risk of skin cancer from UVA rays that come from tanning beds are those with very fair skin. They generally have very light hair colors, they generally burn in the presence of natural sunlight, they don’t tan easily, and they have a family history of skin cancer. UVB rays cause sun burn which is not good for your skin. It can cause the skin to dry out and peel off. It can also result in the skin aging prematurely and having a leathery feel to it. Many people don’t pay attention to the risk of too much UV exposure because the affects aren’t immediately apparent. While getting some UVA and UVB rays is important for your health and your mood, too much exposure isn’t good. The balance between healthy exposure and increasing your risk of negative effects varies for each individual.
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