Dr. Helena Kuhn is a board-certified dermatologist at Brown Dermatology Inc., and an assistant professor of dermatology at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She completed both her undergraduate and medical school degrees at Georgetown University, followed by a dermatology residency at Rhode Island Hospital. Her medical interests include general dermatology, skin cancer, cosmetic dermatology, hair disorders, dermatologic surgery, and global and public health.
Kuhn spoke before the R.I. Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on March 8 in support of a bill that would prohibit the use of indoor tanning beds for anyone under the age of 18, S-2299, introduced by Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin. A companion bill, 2018-H 7136, was introduced by Rep. Mia Ackerman, D-Cumberland.
Providence Business News asked Kuhn about the health risks posed to young people, and people in general, by indoor tanning.
PBN: Isn’t sun damage cumulative? How much can indoor tanning accelerate your lifetime skin damage from sun exposure?
KUHN: Yes, sun damage is cumulative. Exposure to UV radiation from indoor tanning devices has been shown to cause DNA damage in skin cells, and is associated with an increased risk of developing the three types of skin cancer: melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Just one indoor tanning session can increase users’ risk of developing melanoma by 20 percent, squamous cell carcinoma by 67 percent and basal cell carcinoma by 29 percent. The more you tan, the greater your risk. Indoor tanning has also been associated with accelerated skin aging, melanoma of the eye, immune suppression and skin burns.
PBN: Are there special risks young people face from tanning beds?
KUHN: People who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75 percent. Melanoma is the most serious and lethal form of skin cancer, responsible for the majority of deaths from skin cancer. Unfortunately, melanoma is one of the most common types of cancer in young adults.
PBN: How much worse than regular unprotected sun exposure is time in a tanning bed? How does it compare to a sunburn?
KUHN: Indoor tanning devices can emit UV radiation in amounts 10 to 15 times higher than the sun. The bulbs are only inches from the skin, delivering a very high dose of radiation in a short amount of time. In contrast, the sun is located approximately 93 million miles from the Earth, and the UV radiation is filtered by the ozone layer. Indoor tanning does not produce a safer tan than outdoor sunlight and often causes more-severe burns than outdoor sunlight.
Also, most tanning beds emit mainly UVA radiation. Vitamin D is made in response to UVB radiation. Therefore, most tanning beds do not supply the radiation that is needed to make Vitamin D. A sufficient amount of Vitamin D can be obtained from a healthy, balanced diet and oral supplements. Good dietary sources of Vitamin D include fortified milk and cereals, egg yolks, fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, mushrooms, liver, and cod liver oil.
PBN: Is a spray tan a safe alternative?
KUHN: The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is the color additive, dihydroxyacetone. When applied, DHA reacts with dead cells in the skin’s surface to temporarily darken the skin and simulate a tan. In some animal studies, DHA was shown to cause DNA damage, leading to concern that DHA could cause cancer. For this reason, consumers should request measures to protect their eyes and mucous membranes and prevent inhalation during treatment. The spray tanning salon should provide protective eyewear, nose plugs, lip balm and protective undergarments.
PBN: Please tell us something about this topic that would surprise most people.
KUHN: Research has shown that tanning, like smoking, is an addictive and dangerous habit to form during childhood. The World Health Organization categorizes tanning devices as a Group 1 carcinogen, which is the same category as cigarettes and asbestos. With the WHO’s classification of tanning devices and the incidence rate of melanoma in Rhode Island increasing 44 percent from 2015 to 2018, we are actively working to prevent Ocean State residents from getting skin cancer by banning indoor tanning for children 17 and under through legislation at the Statehouse. Please contact your state elected officials and ask them to support House Bill 7136 and Senate Bill 2299: Tanning Facility Safety Standards Act!
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
