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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Will tanning salons cause skin cancer?

    Related Topics
    Cancer Skin Cancer
    I am a 22 year old female and do not tan very easily. Thus, I usually like to maintain a year-round “glow” by making regular visits to the tanning salon. I usually go twice a week for 10 minutes each time. Am I going to get skin cancer?
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    Dr Mark McGovern

    Plastic Surgeon

    Hi, my name is Mark McGovern. I am a qualified Cosmetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. I have been in practice on the Sunshine Coast since … View Profile

    Sun beds, or tanning beds utilise UVA rays to tan the skin. Although UVA has not been directly linked to skin cancer, UVA rays are shown to damage the DNA in the cells of the skin and cause premature ageing of the skin.

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    Dr Roger Woods

    Plastic Surgeon

    Dr Woods is an accomplished Plastic Surgeon, caring for children and adults in Adelaide, who have cosmetic concerns or require reconstruction after cancer or injuries. … View Profile

    Tanning beds are linked to a higher rate of melanoma skin cancers in scientific studies.  
    Some states are moving to make these illegal in the near future.
    As a plastic surgeon who treats melanoma every week, please don't use these.
    It is much safer to use a fake tan to help your appearance (remembering of course that these do not protect your from sunburn or skin cancers, but just provide the nice ‘glow’ you are after).

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    Dr Mark McGovern

    Plastic Surgeon

    Hi, my name is Mark McGovern. I am a qualified Cosmetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. I have been in practice on the Sunshine Coast since … View Profile

    With so many other tanning options readily available and inexpensive  these days, why would you risk exposing yourself to a treatment that has a chance of causing problems? The link between sun beds and skin cancer, melanoma and accelaretd skin ageing are too numerous to deny. Don't risk your skin - you can't replace it!

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    Mr Stephen Salerno

    Plastic Surgeon

    Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery Hand Surgery Skin cancer and melanoma surgery Breast Surgery View Profile

    Hello

    There is some evidence showing that there is an increased rate of skin cancer adn melanoma in people who attend tanning booths.  You are giving your body a concentrated dose of UV radiation which damages cells and will cause premature aging.  Doing this on a regular basis will increase your risk of skin cancer.

    Regards
    Stephen Salerno

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