Tanning Salons and Vitamin D Hype

In addition, many tanning salon employees misinform customers by explaining that the UVA rays can benefit your skin and boost your skin's defenses against cancer. In reality, the American Academy of Dermatology supports a ban on all indoor tanning beds. UV radiation, whether indoors or out, is still UV radiation.

Getting Happy without Tanning

One reason why so many people continue to visit tanning salons despite the link to skin cancer is the endorphin rush that tanning releases. People who live in colder climates often use tanning to treat seasonal affective disorder, a mild depression that affects people in winter when sunlight is less readily available. If this is what draws you to your local tanning salon, consider safer ways to release those endorphins. Replace the indoor tanning with outdoor exercise and opt for massages instead of tanning sessions. These activities will leave you feeling indulged without upping your risk for skin cancer.