How often is a person allowed to tan?
Is it harmful to wear contact lenses when tanning indoors?
Why do some people itch after tanning?
Does tanning cause melanoma, a fatal form of skin cancer?
Can tanning cause wrinkles?
May pregnant women tan indoors?

How often is a person allowed to tan?
Since 1986, the Food and Drug Administration guidelines suggest that 48 hours should pass between tanning sessions. Pigmentation and/or erythema (sunburn) may not be fully visible for between 12-24 hours. Thus two tanning sessions within this 24 hour period could cause an unintentional burn. In general, maximum pigmentation can be built up gradually, following the exposure schedule, in 8-10 tanning sessions.

Is it harmful to wear contact lenses when tanning indoors?
There exists no known reason why contact lenses may not be worn while tanning indoors. When the eyes are kept closed and proper protective eyewear worn, UV light is blocked from penetrating the eye or lens. However, the heat generated by indoor tanning equipment could cause the eye to dry a bit, thereby making the lens uncomfortable. Just as one should moisturize the skin after tanning, contact lens wearers may also use the eyedrops recommended by his/her optometrist.

Why do some people itch after tanning?
Itching and/or rashes may be linked to several unrelated causes, so it is important to obtain a tanning history on each customer. Some people are naturally photosensitive upon exposure to UV. Others are susceptible to heat rashes, a cause totally unrelated to UV light.

Certain chemicals or ingredients found in cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, and even the acrylic cleaner may cause itching as well. Rashes caused by these products generally occur in localized areas on which the products were applied. Customers should be advised to tan with the skin as clean as possible. If discontinued use of a suspected product does not inhibit the rash, a person should discontinue any exposure to UV light until the condition subsides or see a physician.

Does tanning cause melanoma, a fatal form of skin cancer?
There is no conclusive evidence which substantiates that malignant melanoma is caused by gradual, moderate UV exposure. However, those who are predisposed to develop melanoma due to hereditary factors may intensify this condition with exposure to indoor or outdoor UV.

While some studies have suggested a link between severe sunburn and malignant melanoma, there are other studies available that prove an inverse relationship. In a study published in the International Journal of Cancer in 1989 (known as the Western Canada Melanoma Study), Canadian researchers found a significant inverse association between melanoma and chronic or long-term occupational sun exposure in men, with the lowest risk in those with maximum occupational exposure. This may suggest that repeated exposure can be protective. Gradual, moderate exposure is not believed to be a strong influential factor as melanoma generally develops on those areas not normally exposed to UV light.

Can tanning cause wrinkles?
Excessive exposure, particularly to high intensity UVA, can destroy the resilient fibers of the lower skin layer, thereby causing the top skin layer to sag. Thus, elastosis or wrinkling appears. UVA, if not blocked by pigmentation and skin thickening in the outer skin layer, can penetrate to the dermis and destroy skin elasticity. Thus, if one makes the decision to tan, it is recommended that a light source which contains both UVA and UVB is used. Even if a person uses a sunscreen, if it does not block both UVA and UVB, damage to the lower skin layer can still occur upon overexposure.

May pregnant women tan indoors?
There is no current scientific and/or biological reason why a pregnant woman cannot tan indoors or outdoors. In fact, some researchers believe the productions of vitamin D caused by exposure to UVB may be beneficial to both the mother and fetus. However, there is some concern that the heat build-up which inevitably occurs when tanning indoors and outdoors may adversely affect some pregnant women, just as a sauna or jacuzzi might. A pregnant woman may not be comfortable in the tanning equipment. Furthermore, for liability reasons, it is recommended that pregnant women consult their physician before tanning indoors or outdoors.