Regulating sunbed use: Skin cancer risks linked to tanning beds

Abstract

Tiago R. Matos

Sarah Walsh

Alexander J. Stratigos

Myrto Trakatelli

Given the rising incidence of skin cancer and the well-documented link between tanning bed use (Figure 1) and skin cancer, several countries have enacted legislation to regulate the cosmetic use of sunbeds.¹ On 10 February 2025, the WHO's Executive Board adopted a resolution to classify Skin diseases as a global public health priority (EB156(24)). Following this important development, more nations and institutions, including the European Commission, should acknowledge the extensive evidence and release measures to protect citizens from the health risks of sunbeds. Key considerations include:

Individuals using tanning beds before age 35 increase their risk for malignant melanoma by 75%.² One study observing 63 women diagnosed with melanoma before age 30 found that 61 of them (97 percent) had used tanning beds.³ History of indoor tanning increases the risk of early onset of basal cell carcinoma before age 40 by 69 percent.⁴

Women who have ever used sunbeds are up to six times more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma, especially in their 20s than those who have never used sunbeds. At all ages, the more women tan indoors, the higher their risk of developing melanoma.³

The EU could follow the example of 21 countries that banned indoor tanning for people younger than age 18, while Canada banned indoor tanning for those younger than age 19.⁵ Twenty-two US states, plus the District of Columbia, prohibit people younger than 18 from using indoor tanning devices.⁶ Australia, Brazil, and Iran population-wide bans on indoor tanning.

Abundant and strong scientific evidence shows how sunbeds significantly increase the incidence of skin cancer, specifically when used by minors. This highlights the need to ban their use by individuals under 18.

EUROSKIN, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that UV appliances are not used for tanning or other non-medical purposes.

Indoor tanning devices can emit UV radiation 10 to 15 times higher than the sun at its peak intensity.⁷ The International Agency for Research on Cancer, an affiliate of the WHO, includes UV tanning devices in its Group 1, a list of agents that are cancer-causing to humans. Group 1 also includes agents, such as plutonium, cigarettes, and solar UV radiation.⁸ UV tanning devices are classified by the FDA up to Class II (moderate-to-high risk) devices.⁹

Comprehensive and stricter legislation on sunbed compliance is required to enhance security for customers, such as:

None to declare.

None to declare.

The manuscript does not contain information or images relating to patients. It adheres to the ICMJE Recommendations for patient privacy.