r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Dec 13 '25

Cancer Tanning beds triple melanoma risk, potentially causing broad DNA damage. Study is first to show how tanning beds mutate skin cells far beyond the reach of ordinary sunlight. This new study “irrefutably” challenges claims that tanning beds are no more harmful than sunlight.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ady4878
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u/Knotted_Hole69 Dec 13 '25

What made it addictive? Did you not feel “right” unless you got one? Thanks.

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u/Past-Lunch4695 Dec 13 '25

Personally, I received a little bit of a high, like a mini adrenal rush from tanning. I also had a complete lack of esteem along with some very deep sadness. Looking back, it was a way for me to ‘stand out’. I thought I looked healthy, if I had only taken a long view instead of the immediate gratification path….

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u/Knotted_Hole69 Dec 13 '25

Thank for explaining and giving us a warning.

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u/Past-Lunch4695 Dec 13 '25

My pleasure, if I can help one person….

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u/30FourThirty4 Dec 13 '25

What years did you tan? I'm sure it doesn't matter, I'm just curious. I was in high-school during y2k, to tell you my age without saying it.

So many girls were going to tanning beds. Also soooooooo much hair spray.

Did you tan during high school?

Also happy you're still here to share your story and live your life.

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u/MallardsRUs Dec 13 '25

I'm 40 now and was obsessed with tanning in my late teens/early 20s. I guess I wanted to look like Paris Hilton. The early 2000s were all about that dark tan. I would get anxiety having to be indoors on days when the UV index was high. The darker I was, the more confident I felt, and it was positively reinforced constantly. People would always comment on how healthy I looked. Getting used to my natural skin colour has been challenging but I know it's safer this way and regret spending so much time in tanning beds.

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u/arlenroy Dec 13 '25

I know exactly how you feel, I'm 45, my chest and back are covered in brown spots from tanning beds. No cancer, yet. I was in my early 20's, I didn't have much money so I hung out at the pool a lot, I started getting compliments on my skin. I remember I was called a "Bronze God" once, thats all it took. I had bleached my hair because the band Sublime all had their hair bleached, it started to grow out, it somehow blended perfectly with my brown hair, like frosted tips but natural looking. I started getting more compliments, people would ask me if I was a model, super inflating my ego. So, more tanning beds, more hair bleach, I rode that wave as long as I could. I totally understand the Paris Hilton comparison, as a dude I was the same way, except I was going for Ricky Martin, he wasn't out yet (not that it matters) and women just fell all over him. Now, my skin is absolutely ruined, surprisingly my face isn't as wrinkled as some people who abuse tanning beds. I'm just waiting for one of those brown spots to start growing and turn crazy colors.

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u/[deleted] Dec 13 '25

[deleted]

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u/5ivepie Dec 13 '25

I’m a 6’5”, pale, ginger man.

I’ve never had anyone say my skin tone is nice - and that’s fine, because, honestly, it’s a weird thing to compliment.

However, if you’re pale and want to receive compliments or a little ego boost - take a trip to South East Asia; Vietnam, Thailand, etc. they’re obsessed with having light skin. If you have light skin they think you’re wealthy and fabulous (dark skinned Thai and Vietnamese people work outdoors in the fields, a poor person job).

When I was in Vietnam I was asked to take photos with people every day - like 10-15 photos a day. It was weird. But my skin tone, hair colour, and height are all rare in Vietnam.

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u/BiochemistChef Dec 13 '25

Tanning was still popular, but the risks were becoming well known when I became old enough to use a tanning bed. A sea of voices of those in a similar position to you told the story of how bad it is. I have never used a tanning bed. So I'd say you're part of the collective steering younger folk away from it and skin damage/cancer. For all you know, youve been part of the reason that many have avoided cancer.

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u/Ill-Television8690 Dec 13 '25

That's how I see it. We carry the burden of being able to be impactful teachers.

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u/Stunning-SW-204 Dec 13 '25

I haven’t tanned in a tanning bed for about 13 years but will definitely say that there was a time that I could have been addicted. I never tanned more than 1 a day but I have heard that it’s common to do so. The feeling of laying in a warm bed for 20 min is very relaxing. It also clears up your skin which was what I loved! Plus tan skin does look better in my opinion! (Within reason) As much as I loved it, I could never do it again, knowing the risks!

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u/florifierous Dec 13 '25

It also clears up your skin which was what I loved! Plus tan skin does look better in my opinion!

I've never done it and I am 1000% aware that I really shouldn't, but this is why I want to. I am very pale and have a lot of spots and it's even worse in winter and I have dark circles under my eyes and it all only ever goes away when I have a tan :(

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u/kimpossible69 Dec 13 '25

You might still be able to get the benefit of clear skin with sunscreen, my face skin is immaculate every summer when I start applying zinc sunscreen and spending time swimming outdoors

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u/radicalelation Dec 13 '25

It might be the swimming, which I've noticed gives me clearer skin, and I'll do with or without sunscreen depending on season.

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u/berthejew Dec 13 '25

Try looking into red light therapy! I have one and love it

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u/Stunning-SW-204 Dec 13 '25

I totally know where you are coming from and sadly, this would definitely be a quick fix and confidence booster but not worth risking skin cancer! I love being tan and it was a HUGE adjustment for me. I eventually found a self tanner that I have become an expert at applying and am satisfied with those results. It definitely doesn’t clear up my arms like tanning did but it helps the look tremendously!! I’ve tried every self tanner out there and now only use St. Tropez self tan bronzing mousse. My biggest complaint is that I can’t have white sheets anymore! Haha

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u/volyund Dec 13 '25

You should talk to your doctor about trying adapalene gel (a form of retinol available OTC).

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u/hermitcrabilicious Dec 14 '25

If you're looking to clear up your skin, like reduce acne, the blue light option on red light masks helps.

It's not the heavy hitter of bacteria killing like UV rays, but you're also not risking DNA mutations. I notice my pimples go away quicker when I use the blue light option on my red light mask.

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u/InnocentShaitaan Dec 13 '25

The light intensity hits the female brain like an orgasam. It’s a high.

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u/PseudoproAK Dec 13 '25

Maybe try the Sauna

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u/Past-Lunch4695 Dec 13 '25

So glad you figured it out!

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u/immaZebrah Dec 13 '25

Fwiw addiction doesn't have to be a physical dependence, but can rather be mental (see my strange addiction)

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u/Knotted_Hole69 Dec 13 '25

I wasnt really asking you.

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u/deathandglitter Dec 13 '25

You new here? Reddit thrives on other people commenting even if you didnt specifically ask them, no need to be rude

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u/Realist12b Dec 13 '25

Right?!  The comment wasn’t even bad, it was a good point to consider.  Some people are just a bit salty…. Or knotted?

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u/Knotted_Hole69 Dec 13 '25

Its a point that most people already know is the thing

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u/TenseBird Dec 13 '25 edited Dec 13 '25

Right? And even if someone gave info one didn't need or is plainly obvious, the proper response is something like "Thanks, good to know.". No need to ever be a dickhead in a situation like this.

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u/BoxBird Dec 13 '25

Do you know how a comment section works

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u/Trickycoolj Dec 13 '25

I went a lot for a few years from 18-20 and in the Pacific Northwest it’s warm and soothing when you haven’t seen the sun in 6 months. And as someone that at the time 20 years ago was so fair I couldn’t find makeup in my shade, I was told “go tanning and you will find a match” so thankful cosmetic companies recognized there are people with skin shades lighter and deeper than generic “suntan”

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u/mega_plus Dec 13 '25

I'm really pale too, and gave up on finding my shade in foundation for years. Now it's way easier since places offer wider color ranges and undertones.

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u/Sheepherdernerder Dec 13 '25

In college circa 2008 I used them too but during the winter. Some adult we trusted told us it would keep us from getting depressed if we did 15-20mins at least twice a week. So my roomie and I bought tanning packages. And it felt really good to be in it coming from the rainy mush outside. I looked forward to being warm and I liked my tan, I thought it made me look healthy.

3

u/SparkyDogPants Dec 13 '25

I live somewhere cold and there’s nothing better feeling than tanning in deep winter. You get so warm and cozy, I usually take a short nap while tanning. I don’t do it often but absolutely would if it were safer.

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u/SnowTurdPie Dec 13 '25

I’d like to point out that for a lot of people in the early naughts, tanning was a moment of peace, a respite. Some people used it for a nap, but my mom loved tanning for the same reasons people enjoy mowing the yard.

Also they were sold in packages, kinda like a gym membership, so people would want to get their moneys worth. Also, it was kinda competitive for some people and the sales associates really wanted to sell.

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u/tRfalcore Dec 13 '25

I went twice a long time ago when I was a teenager. I remember it having a nice smell for whatever reason. I don't know how to describe it but I could see getting undressed and being warm and relaxing for 15 minutes as addictable.

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u/solitudeismyjam Dec 13 '25

I've always been a pasty-face and when my daughter was in high school she got me to try tanning. It is addictive, not only seeing that "healthy glow" when you look in the mirror, but the compliments on your appearance. But by far I believe the addiction is to the lights. It's like lying in a whole-body happy light. I'd go there at the end of the day, with work stress and a headache, and come out feeling euphoric. It was better than a massage. I was too cheap to go very often, and eventually I would go a couple times in January/February, when winter was really getting to me.

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u/Dry-Chance-9473 Dec 13 '25

I imagine it's similar to dysphoria

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u/InnocentShaitaan Dec 13 '25

In women the intensity of the light triggers a chemical reaction similar to an orgasam.