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Dr. Heck recalls the associated risks from tanning beds and self tanners.
Dr. Heck:
The World Health Organization has recently come out and stated that tanning beds are a carcinogen. You have a 75% higher risk of melanoma if you used tanning beds in your 20s or earlier. It is a very dangerous way to get a tan and it’s not recommended. If you really like the darker color of the skin there are plenty of over-the-counter options such as the dye applied to the skin and self tanners.
The risk associated with self tanners is very minimal. Any topical product you apply to your skin you risk an allergy, but that would be very, very rare. They are safe products, unlike tanning beds that have large percentage of UVA and UVB rays, which age the skin prematurely as well as expose you to a much greater risk of skin cancer.
About Dr. Shannon Heck, M.D.:
Shannon Heck, M.D., F.A.A.D., is a board certified dermatologist and a partner in a large, thriving dermatologic practice in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. She specializes in general and cosmetic dermatology.