Why Tanning Beds are Bad for Your Skin

The research is clear: Tanning beds are bad for your skin. Many physicians even describe them as “skin cancer beds”. In fact, indoor tanning has been classified as “carcinogenic” by a division of the World Health Organization.

If you’re wondering whether tanning beds are worse than the sun, the answer is yes — but, it’s important to avoid both if you want smooth, healthy, firm, and youthful-looking skin for as long as possible.

Unlike being outdoors, tanning beds emit concentrated radiation just inches of your skin. What’s worse, tanning bed bulbs primarily emit UVA rays — the sun’s tanning rays — which penetrate deeper into the skin and cause more extensive damage.

Tanning indoors might seem safer than basking in the sun, but just like outdoor exposure, the damage is cumulative.  You may not see the worst effects until years later. Whether you frequent a stand-up tanning booth or a tanning bed, the long-term consequences can lead to:

• Wrinkles
• Loss of firmness and sagging
• Rough, leathery texture
• Uneven skin tone
• Brown spots and blotchy discolourations

There’s also the risk of skin cancer — UV radiation from indoor tanning is associated with a 75% increase in melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. UVA rays cause mutations within the skin that disrupt its normal function and appearance.

Even more concerning, UVA radiation reverberates within the skin, penetrating downward then reflecting back, delivering a double dose of damage to every layer and steadily breaking down the skin’s natural resilience.

Tanning Bed Myths

Despite all the concerns described above, we know the allure of tanning beds can still be strong. Misinformation about their safety continues to spread online and in tanning salons around the world. The truth is simple: There’s no such thing as a safe tan, whether indoors or under the sun.

As scientific research has shown, none of the following myths are true. 

Myth: Tanning beds stimulate vitamin D

Truth: Most of the radiation emitted by tanning bulbs is UVA, which cannot trigger vitamin D production in the skin. Vitamin D synthesis occurs when the skin is exposed to sufficient UVB rays, not UVA. While tanning beds emit some UVB light, it’s not enough to stimulate meaningful vitamin D production.

Myth: Sunburn, not tanning, causes skin cancer

Truth: Both sunburn and tanning contribute to skin cancer risk. Numerous studies show that people who use tanning beds face a higher risk of developing skin cancer, whether they burn or, more commonly, tan.

Myth: Tanning beds boost your mood

Truth: While the warmth and brightness of tanning beds can temporarily lift your spirits, almost every medical expert agree that there are better, safer, and less expensive ways to improve your mood. Try regular exercise, meditation, yoga, or a balanced diet rich in plant foods and omega-3 fatty acids instead.

Myth: Tanning beds are safe if you apply sunscreen or special tanning oils

Truth: Although applying sunscreen before using a tanning bed may reduce some of the damage, it doesn't prevent it — any amount of tanning is evidence that your skin has been damaged. Tanning oils might help minimise dryness and dehydration from indoor tanning, but they provide no protection against the damaging radiation from tanning bulbs.

Get Tan Without a Tanning Bed

The only safe tan is the one you can get from a self-tanner. Today’s advanced formulas deliver a natural-looking, streak-free colour that truly resembles a real suntan — minus all the damage.

If you’re new to self-tanning, start with gradual formulas and take your time to blend evenly. With the right technique, you’ll achieve a natural-looking faux glow, no sunshine or tanning salon required.

Want to stay safe in the sun? Shop Paula’s Choice collection of sunscreen now!

References for this information

Pubmed Central, 

Science Direct, 11 August 2021 

Preventive Medicine Reports, June 2016, pages 139–144

Clinics in Dermatology, May-June 2015, pages 387–392

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, June 2013, pages 12222–12248

Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, July 2011, pages 1129–1136

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, July 2011, pages 453–458

Journal of Investigative Dermatology, July 2011, pages 1539–1546

Dermatologic Clinics, April 2009, pages 149–154

International Journal of Epidemiology, December 2006, pages 1514–1521