KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Our Fact Finder Team learned new research lists tanning beds as a top cancer risk.
Scientists have always known ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage. UVB rays cause burning of the skin and DNA damage.
Fact Finder learned scientists have recently discovered UVA rays cause deeper penetration to the skin causing wrinkling and photoaging.
Tanning beds provide mostly UVA rays.
“We've always known anytime you're getting a tan it's a response to damage on your skin. And the fact that when we go out in the regular sunshine that's a response to DNA damage. Same thing when we go into tanning beds,” said Chief Residential Dermatologist Chris Weyer.
Weyer told Fact Finder the best prevention for skin damage from the tanning beds is to simply not use them. He said you can buy lotions to darken your skin or use spray tanning.
As for natural sunlight, he recommends applying a sun protection factor or SPF sunscreen of at least 30.
Click here for more on this topic.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO