A study completed last May by Dartmouth Medical School and headed by Margaret Karagas, M.D., found that the risk of malignant melanoma increases by a factor of 7.7 for a person under the age of 30 who has used indoor tanning beds more than 10 times. The study said the results are true regardless of the patient’s history of sun exposure, deliberating in the sun or episodes of sunburn.

The International Smart Tan Network has consistently argued against evidence that tanning is not safe, saying in a report that “Moderate tanning, for individuals who can develop a tan, is the smartest way to maximize the potential benefits of sun exposure while minimizing the potential risk associated with either too much or too little sunlight.” The report added: “It is the professional indoor tanning industry’s position that sunburn prevention is a more effective message than total abstinence, which ultimately encourages abuse.”

Nancy Delaney, M.D., of the Saint Louis University Student Health Center, said that most medical authorities recommend staying out of the sun as much as possible when its radiation is strongest, namely in the summer months during midday. Since the light in tanning beds is equivalent to that of the midday sun, tanning is also not recommended.

Delaney also cited another experiment that found after one exposure to a regular tanning light–which uses five percent of the more superficial UVA and 95 percent of the more powerful, permanent UVB–that there was DNA damage and the presence of a protein used for repair. In short, the tan itself is the result of DNA damage.

“We’ve always known that these UVA and UVB lights have been carcinogenic–lots of experiments have been done in animals,” Delaney said. “But this is really definitive proof in people at the DNA level.”

Smart Tan defends tanning beds, saying, “Calling a tan damage to your skin is like calling exercise damage to your muscles. Your body is designed to repair any damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet light exposure. Developing a tan is its natural way to protect against the dangers of sunburn and further exposure. Saying that any ultraviolet light exposure causes skin damage is a dangerous oversimplification.”

“It is unquestionably true,” Delaney said of the health risks, noting that the Dartmouth study has been backed by the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Dermatology. “You will always find some nut somewhere who will testify to the opposite in court.”

Although there is some debate over the health risks, there is some agreement on regulation legislation. The Food and Drug Administration must approve tanning equipment, but it is up to states to pass regulation on tanning practices. In Missouri there is currently no legislation.

Jim Lauber, the owner of SLU Tan, a tanning salon that is not affiliated with the University–but did lobby to use the name “SLU” and is located in the Marchetti apartment complex–said that he does not allow tanners to tan without glasses, does not allow minors to tan at all and strictly advises his clients to take the proper steps to moisturize their skin before and after they tan.

As a result of upholding these personal rules, he says, he has lost customers who can go to salons that have no rules.

He is, therefore, in favor of state-enforced restrictions but he maintains that it is possible to tan safely and there should be no legislation against tanning itself.

Both Delaney and Lauber agree that usually the purpose of tanning is purely cosmetic, so the argument is over whether or not to inform people of health risks if they chose to indulge.

“I think it’s an awareness thing,” Delaney said. “Tanning salons are deceiving the public in thinking this is a safe alternative to being out in the sun. And it’s not.”

Lauber countered that there are many unhealthy practices in which people indulge and that his salon is no different than a fast-food restaurant or a bar. He also said that after two years and almost 2,000 clients–currently about 150 regulars–no one has complained about the health risks.

Delaney said that even though people know that things like fast food and cigarettes, for example, are unhealthy and consume them anyway, tanners may not necessarily be entirely aware of the health risks of indoor tanning.

She also said that just because there are many unhealthy practices, it does not negate the unhealthiness of one of them.