Tanning beds are actually changing your DNA in this potentially deadly way: ‘Never been shown before’

Step away from the tanning bed.

Despite the numerous health risks — from premature aging to the obvious concern of skin cancer — indoor tanning devices are back in style thanks to Gen Z.

But the dangers never went away, including new research that shows one particular side effect is more than skin deep and literally DNA-changing.

New research shows the risks of tanning beds are more than skin deep, literally changing DNA and increasing cancer. gangiskhan – stock.adobe.com

A study from Northwestern Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco has found that tanning bed use increases the risk of melanoma by nearly three times.

The deadliest and most common skin cancer, more than 100,000 people are diagnosed each year, with around 11,000 dying.

But while the number of cases increased, the exact mechanism behind tanning beds’ cancer risk was unknown, leading people to think they were still relatively safe.

However, this study shows how getting a fake glow actually mutates skin cells far beyond where sunlight reaches.

Researchers compared the medical records of 3,000 sunbed users with 3,000 people with no history of indoor tanning.

They found that melanoma was diagnosed in 5.1% of users, compared with 2.1% of non-users, and that tanning bed use had a nearly three-fold increase in illness risk.

Those who use indoor tanning devices are three times as likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer. InsideCreativeHouse – stock.adobe.com

Sunless tanners were also more likely to develop the disease on areas of the body usually protected from the sun, like the lower back.

This led researchers to believe tanning devices can cause broader damage to DNA than simply lying out in the sunshine.

Further testing on skin samples from both users and non-users confirmed this when those who got their false glow-up had nearly twice as many skin cell mutations.

“In outdoor sun exposure, maybe 20% of your skin gets the most damage,” said study author and professor of skin cancer research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Dr. Pedram Gerami. “In tanning bed users, we saw those same dangerous mutations across almost the entire skin surface.”

Despite decades of warnings, younger generations are returning to one of the hottest Y2K trends.

The American Academy of Dermatology recently found that 20% of youths believe that being tan is more important to them than protecting themselves from skin cancer.

And even if thousands across social media would rather “die hot than live ugly”, there’s no arguing the downsides to laying out.

The risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma increases by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24% with visits to the tanning salon accumulated.

There are healthier ways to achieve a bronzed, beachy look.

Several products, from mists and drops to oils and sprays, are leading the charge for a sun-kissed glow — without the UV rays or cancer risk.

Regardless of the options, with indoor tanning on the rise, Gerami believes there should be stronger warnings.

“When you buy a pack of cigarettes, it says this may result in lung cancer,” he said. “We should have a similar campaign with tanning bed usage.”

And if you’re someone who frequented the salon or worshipped the sun when you were young, a visit to the dermatologist for a total-body skin exam is highly recommended.