Tanning Beds may not be Best Psoriasis Treatment

Many people wonder if they can use a tanning bed to treat psoriasis. The American Academy of Dermatology discourages everyone from using tanning beds and sun lamps. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also discourage this use. Studies show that people who use tanning beds and sunlamps before 35 years of age increase their risk of getting melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, by 75%.

Another reason that tanning beds are not recommended is that psoriasis responds better to UVB light than to UVA light. Tanning beds emit mostly UVA light.

References:
American Academy of Dermatology. “American Academy of Dermatology Lauds U.S. Federal Trade Commission for Protecting the Public from False Health and Safety Claims about Indoor Tanning.” News release issued January 27, 2010. Available at: www.aad.org/media/background/news/Releases/
American_Academy_of_Dermatology_Lauds_US_Federal_T/ Last accessed February 1, 2010.

Federal Trade Commission. “FTC Consumer Alert: Indoor Tanning.” Issued January 2010. Available at: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt174.pdf. Last accessed February 1, 2010.

Federal Trade Commission. “Indoor Tanning Association Settles FTC Charges That It Deceived Consumers About Skin Cancer Risks From Tanning.” News release issued January 26, 2010. Available at: www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/01/tanning.shtm. Last accessed February 1, 2010.

For an overview, visit the AAD pamphlet Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.