According to a full-page ad that ran in the New York Times last week, the Indoor Tanning Association is claiming there is no concrete evidence to prove that tanning beds are a cause of skin cancer, but health officials remain skeptical of the new statements.
Carla Jackson, a health educator for Student Health Services, still believes the beds are a bad idea.
"I think there is compelling evidence that tanning beds are not a good idea," said Jackson. "If the American Academy of Dermatology recommends against them, I think that is a pretty good argument, given these are experts on the topic of skin cancer."
While tanning beds have long been looked down upon by doctors and skin cancer activists, the Indoor Tanning Association is now saying that there are actually benefits that stem from using indoor tanning methods, namely increased production of vitamin D.
"I've tanned from the sun and from tanning beds," said fifth-year psychology student Christina Nunez. "But I like the natural look better. Plus, when something is referred to as 'fake and bake,' it's not all that appealing."
Vitamin D, which helps promote healthy bones as well as regulate blood pressure and boosting immunity, is produced by the skin when it is exposed to the sun.
While tanning beds do assist in the process, they aren't necessary.
"You can get enough vitamin D, if you live in the L.A. area, from 15 minutes of sun exposure three times per week on your face, arms, and hands," said Jackson.
However, there are also other ways to obtain the recommended levels of the vitamin.
"Most people get plenty of vitamin D from fortified foods such as milk," said Jackson.
According to an article in Slate magazine, it's not the tan that poses a risk for cancer; rather, it's the sun exposure itself.
An article found at the Skin Cancer Guide Web site cites that while natural sunlight provides our skin with a significant amount of UVB, which thickens the epidermis to give us increased sun protection, tanning beds offer mostly UVA.
The longest of the ultraviolet wavelengths, UVA is able to deeper penetrate the skin. It is more commonly associated with melanoma, and tanning beds dole it out at a much higher rate than natural sunlight.
"UV exposure is one risk factor for melanoma, especially in those who are fair skinned and have had a severe sunburn at least once," said Jackson.
Slate magazine explains that melanoma is only responsible for 4 percent of skin cancer diagnoses, but is the cause of 75 percent of skin cancer deaths.
Despite the staggering statistics of related skin cancer incidents, some sun-goers are still willing to test their luck.
"My mother did not want me to go because of the risk of skin cancer, but I thought I'd try it," said first-year international business marketing student Sabrina Huda.
Wanting to maintain her glow during the winter, Huda tried indoor tanning once but didn't enjoy it enough to be a repeat customer.
"I'm a little worried about skin cancer, but it wouldn't affect my decision to tan," said fourth-year finance, real estate and law student Charlene Robrigado. "I've never used them because I'm already dark, but I'm not closed off to it."
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