Skin cancer and other health effects of indoor tanning

Abstract

Research clearly demonstrates the adverse health effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun on human skin. Among these adverse effects, photoaging and the development of skin cancer are perhaps the most clinically important. There is a large effort directed towards combating these problems and the resultant morbidity and mortality associated with them, particularly the increased risk for skin cancers. Indoor tanning provides ultraviolet radiation exposure, which is similar to that of the sun. Indoor tanning has increased dramatically over the last two decades. Unfortunately, we are finding that indoor tanning leads to similar, if not worse, adverse health effects than the sun. In this chapter, the effects of ultraviolet radiation on skin cancer development, photoaging, the immune system and other medical conditions are discussed in the context of indoor tanning.