Dangers of indoor tanning

Indoor Tanning is Out^®

The World Health Organization has declared indoor tanning devices to be cancer-causing agents that are in the same category as tobacco. Studies have found that indoor tanning can increase users' risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%.

To date, more than 40 states restrict access to indoor tanning equipment either through banning their use by minors or requiring parental consent. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) opposes indoor tanning and supports a ban on the production and sale of indoor tanning equipment for non-medical purposes. If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.


The AADA also supports the WHO recommendation that minors should not use indoor tanning equipment. Unless and until the FDA bans the sale and use of indoor tanning equipment for non-medical purposes, the AADA supports restrictions for indoor tanning facilities, including: No person or facility should advertise the use of any UVA or UVB tanning device using wording such as "safe," "safe tanning," "no harmful rays," "no adverse effect," or similar wording or concepts.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association works on a number of advocacy efforts that impact the prevention and detection of skin cancer. Learn more about these efforts.

Related AAD resources

• 10 surprising facts about indoor tanning

Last updated: 9/22/23