Getting a bronzed summer glow may look good, but it isn’t safe, according to the SCF. Whether you get the tan at a beach or at a salon, ultra violet (UV) rays are dangerous. Even occasional sunbed use may almost triples the chances of developing melanoma, according to the SCF. When unprotected skin is overexposed to UV rays, the body’s skin cells can become damaged — a tan is the skin's attempt to prevent further damage by creating a wall of darker pigment. This damage can then lead to changes in skin cell DNA, which can cause skin cancer. Teens and young adults are especially susceptible to the skin damage caused by the UV rays emitted by tanning beds, according to the SCF.
