Skin Cancer: I really, really want a tan - are tanning beds really as dangerous as they say they are?

My gym gave me ten free tanning sessions in those high-intensity cubicle things. Very intense for ten minutes and you really do feel like you have been in the sun for an hour or more.

Are they really very dangerous or has the risk all been hyped up too much?

(I am not fair skinned and I tan very easily and don't go red or burn if I take it easy) - have lived in very hot countries all my life and have always tanned easily.

Please do not go tanning it is so bad! I am only 28 and already I have had Melanoma because of tanning beds and
trust me Melanoma is not just skin cancer it is very aggressive if not caught early it will spread through the body fast! so yes tanning is very dangerous.

Tanning is dangerous, whether it is in a tanning bed or in the sum. Plus tanning makes your skin age. Have you ever seen the skin texture of someone who has spent a lot of time in the sun? The skin on their face looks like the skin on the bottom of your feet. Sure the tan looks good now, but who wants foot face in the future?!?

A better solution is to use artificial tanners if you want that glow but want to stay safe. There's lots of them on the market now that work great and don't make you look like a carrot.

As for your gym - why on earth would they give away tanning sessions other than to get you to buy more from them. Presumably you are going to the gym for your health. Why risk it by getting a tan.?

Even Cosmopolitan magazine says tanning beds cause cancer! It's not even a question of IF they are dangerous.

Do yourself a favor - if you like having healthy skin, get a high-quality spray-on tan.

There is now no need to go on sunbeds - there are so many good fake tan creams around that you can just put on like a moisturiser in the morning. 50,000 Brits die of skin cancer every year and it takes between 10 - 30 years to develop. Sunbeds also make you look old early. AVOID!!!

See if you can go in for less than ten minutes, most tanning
salons offer times anywhere from 1-10 min of tanning.
If you tan easily just go in for a smaller amount of time.

Yes, tanning is very dangerous. It makes your skin feel rough and look old and wrinkly very fast.

Just use the lotion or spray on tans it is much safer.

Yes they give cancer about 4 times quicker than the sun would because they are only UV rays and no actual light. I say go buy a nice chair and take a nap in the sun or go sit out with a book.

No suntan is worth taking the risk of cancer from a sunlight tan or a tanning bed.

Have you seen Final Destination?