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Tanning is getting hot again. Here’s what it really does to your skin.
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Nichole Sims began using tanning beds at 15 due to social pressure and was diagnosed with melanoma eight years later, highlighting the health risks of tanning bed use among youth.
- Experts warn of a resurgence in tanning popularity among young adults, fueled by social media influencers who promote tanning despite its links to increased melanoma risk.
- Research shows tanning beds emit over 10 times more UV light than the sun, causing DNA mutations in skin cells that significantly raise melanoma risk, with tanning bed users nearly three times more likely to develop the cancer.
- A 2025 survey found many Gen Z adults hold misconceptions about tanning safety, with some prioritizing tans over skin protection and believing myths like “base tans” prevent sunburn.
- Despite health risks, the FDA recently withdrew a proposed rule to ban tanning bed use for those under 18, raising concerns among experts about the potential mixed messages this sends to the public.
