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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2011, 14(2): 70-75pl  Tanning bed - safety or riskAgnieszka Dana 1/, Teresa Makowiec-Dąbrowska 2,3/ 1/ Zakład Kosmetologii Wydziału Farmaceutycznego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi 2/ Oddział Zdrowia Publicznego Wydziału Nauk o Zdrowiu Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi 3/ Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera w Łodzi Summary The tanning bed is an artificial source of ultraviolet radiation imitating a ray of sunlight. Currently people worldwide use it in order to get their body tanned. It is the most popular among the young Caucasian women, who consider tanned skin as an attribute of beauty. Unfortunately, users of sunbeds have insufficient knowledge about the harmful effects of UV radiation, although in 2009 the WHO reckoned UV group I factors carcinogenic to humans. UV radiation including the one originating from a tanning bed is considered to be one of the most important factors increasing the risk of developing skin cancer. Despite this fact the popularity of tanning is still increasing and the companies related to the solarium market emphasize the health aspects of tanning beds, such as stimulating the synthesis of vitamin D or preparing skin for the summer sun exposure. Therefore in the social assessment using the solarium is safe and even healthy. Key words: tanning bed, solarium market, skin cancer, vitamin D, sunburn |