MYTH: “I’ve heard that indoor tanning is more harmful then tanning outdoors because the UV light exposure is more intense.”
REALITY: People tanning indoors are exposed to a scientifically calibrated amount of UV light. When used according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s exposure guidelines (posted on each machine), tanning beds are designed to maximize tanning and minimize burning. Conversely, tanning outdoors is an unregulated environment. There are many factors that have to be considered when you tan outdoors: geography, time of day, weather conditions, the seasons, and the ozone layer. Remember the best way to safeguard yourself from sun and damage is to wear appropriate levels of SPF sunscreens outdoors – even if you already have a tan. You should also know that, even with sunscreen protection, UV exposure can still lead to skin cancer and premature aging, even if you don’t burn.
MYTH: “My friend said she heard that tanning bakes your internal organs. Sometimes I notice a strange smell after I tan. Could this be my organs baking?”
REALITY: The UV light from a sunbed is similar to the UV light from the sun, and cannot penetrate deeper then the skin to harm internal organs. The odor you may notice is what’s commonly known as the “after tan” odor, a common occurrence when tanning indoors or outdoors, which is caused by the harmless bacteria. California Tan lotions contain the Biosaccharidde Complex, which helps prevent after tan odor.
MYTH: “I hear that in order to get a suntan, you have to burn first.”
REALITY: A sunburn does NOT fade into a tan. Sunburn indicates UV-overexposure and actually damages the skin, leaving it inflamed (as indicated by the skin’s red coloring and sensitivity), dry, chapped and visibly unappealing. In fact, sunburn can lead to premature aging and potentially skin cancer. Always practice moderation when tanning by using the proper sunscreen protection when tanning outdoors and the exposure time that is recommended for your personal skin type when tanning indoors.
MYTH: “I heard that people can get sexually transmitted disease like AIDS from sunbeds.”
REALITY: The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that this is physically impossible. The AIDS virus (as well as other serious viral diseases) does not live outside the body. This fear may come from the fact than many people lay nude in sunbeds during their tanning session (in order to eliminate tan lines). However, even if there is profuse sweating, the AIDS virus, or other venereal diseases, cannot be passed to the next user. Additionally, tanning salons are required by law to disinfect the acrylic shield on the sunbed after each session.
MYTH: “People with medium to dark skin never burn.”
REALITY: Although people with medium to dark skin tend to tan more easily then others, they can still get sunburns. They can also suffer from overexposure to UV light. It is still important for these skin types to use sunscreens and avoid being in the sun longer than they need to be.
