Solarium: healthy or harmful?

Especially in winter and spring, many people are drawn to the solarium. Because tanned skin looks beautiful and healthy. But behind the beautiful appearance hides an enormous protective and repair mechanism of the skin, our largest organ. The risk of developing skin cancer increases with every sunbath because the ultraviolet rays – whether natural or artificial – damage the cells. But the fact is: people need sunlight, but only how much is it a significant health factor. Read this article to find out whether solariums are harmful to your health or not.

Risks of UV radiation

At around 1.7 square meters, it is our largest organ – the skin. And she is vulnerable, especially to rays. Over 200,000 Germans develop skin cancer every year. According to information from the German Cancer Aid, this alarming figure is due to excessive exposure to the sun. This is because the ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by both the natural sun and solarium tubes change the structure of the cells. UV-B rays particularly damage the genome of the skin cells.

The tan that looks so healthy is nothing more than a protective reaction of the skin. This is the skin pigment melanin, which, together with the cornea, is supposed to protect the skin cells from damage.

It becomes particularly dramatic when a sunburn has occurred, from which the skin, on the surface, recovers after a while. However, deep inside the skin cells, in the cell nuclei where the genetic material is located, the damage needs to be repaired – in the worst case, the cells die.

The more often the skin is exposed to the stress of radiation, the less the cell’s repair service functions, which also increases the risk of developing skin cancer.

 

UV rays in solariums

Although the tubes of the solarium contain only a tiny part of the high-energy UV-B rays, the tanning effect is mainly achieved through a high proportion of UV-A. UV-B rays only penetrate the epidermis, where they can cause sunburn and, in the worst case, the formation of skin cancer cells.

UV-A rays penetrate deeper into the skin. There, in high concentrations, they can also contribute to the development of sunburn. In addition, UV-A radiation is also suspected of being carcinogenic. The proportion of UV-A rays in solariums is higher than in natural sun rays.

In addition, proponents and opponents of solariums give different arguments.

Pro: Does the tanning bed have any health benefits?

People who advocate artificial sun (primarily tanning bed manufacturers) make the argument on the health benefits of their equipment. As a positive effect, they point out that, particularly in winter, the UV-B radiation from the sunbeds promotes the formation of vitamin D, which is so important. That’s right and important because vitamin D ensures that calcium is stored in the bones, protecting against osteoporosis.

In addition, solariums are said to positively affect the psyche and sex life and heal specific skin problems.

 

Light therapy in the solarium?

A visit to the solarium can be helpful with certain diseases, such as psoriasis (psoriasis). UV light is anti-inflammatory and can relieve the itching associated with neurodermatitis and psoriasis. In general, however, each person reacts differently to radiation in the solarium. Whether a visit to the solarium helps is, therefore, very individual. There are also health risks associated with using a solarium.

As an alternative, there are special light therapies (often narrow-band UV-B light) which have fewer health disadvantages. Those affected should seek medical advice regarding treatment options and possible benefits and risks.

The medical use of a solarium for skin diseases should not be confused with light therapy for depression. So-called white light is used for this. The UV component is filtered out in white light. This bright artificial light is said to help, in particular, with seasonally dependent depression (winter depression).

Cons: Is a visit to the solarium harmful?

Even if a visit to the solarium has a few health benefits, experts advise against regular use.

Regular visits to the solarium promote the following health risks:

• increased risk of white skin cancer and other forms of light (non-melanotic) skin cancer
• increased risk of eye cancer (choroidal melanoma)
• Accelerated skin ageing due to UV-A radiation

According to the latest study results, a connection between the development of black skin cancer (malignant melanoma) and the use of solariums has not been clarified. However, if you want to be safe in this regard, you should avoid going to a solarium (also with a view to the other risks).

Who should not go to the solarium?

The Dermatological Prevention Working Group and the German Cancer Aid advise the following groups of people to avoid sunbeds and to be extremely careful when sunbathing “naturally”:

• Children and young people under the age of 18
• People with a lot of moles
• People who are very fair-skinned and get sunburnt easily

As I said, the skin cells don’t forget anything, and every sunburn from childhood is considered a risk factor for skin cancer.

 

Beware of tanning addiction (tanorexia)

If visits to the solarium get out of hand, tanorexia may be behind it. The word consists of the English “to tan” and the technical term for anorexia nervosa, “anorexia nervosa”.

Instead of body weight, the supposed beauty ideal of the perfect tan plays a role for those affected. The self-image is disturbed – even if they have a tan, people with tanorexia perceive themselves as pale. Excessive sunbathing does not have to take place in the solarium. However, the weather-independent availability of solariums can promote addiction.

Better to produce vitamin D naturally

Vitamin D can be obtained from herring, porcini mushrooms or avocados. However, the body’s most significant proportion of vitamin D is formed under the influence of sunlight. However, the body needs UV-B rays for this. However, the proportion of UV-B radiation in solariums is low.

Exposing yourself to natural daylight for at least five to 30 minutes daily is more effective here. Arms, legs, hands, and face should be uncovered. In the case of severe vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D preparations can also be taken after consulting a doctor.

Conclusion: only visit in moderation

Solarium visits harbour health risks. If they should only be done in moderation, more than 50 sunbaths a year is too much. Suppose you have to go to the sunbed. In that case, you should protect your eyes with appropriate glasses and avoid using sunscreen and perfumes – because skin irritation can occur under the sun in the solarium, which is additional stress for the already stressed skin.