FTC Consumer Alert

Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection Division of Consumer & Business Education

Indoor Tanning

Ads for tanning salons, sun lamps and tanning beds promise a bronzed body year-round, but 

experts agree that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from these devices damages the skin and poses serious 

health risks. Sunburns and tans are signs of skin damage. Deliberate tanning, either indoors or out, 

increases your risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, and the Food 

and Drug Administration (FDA), enforce laws dealing with tanning devices. The FTC investigates 

false, misleading, and deceptive advertising claims about the devices; the FDA enforces regulations 

that deal with the labels on the devices.

Myths and Reality

Here are some claims commonly made about indoor tanning – and the facts. 

“Get a beautiful tan indoors without increasing your risk of skin cancer.”

The lamps used in tanning booths and beds emit two forms of ultraviolet (UV) radiation – UVA 

and UVB. UVB rays penetrate the top layers of your skin and are most responsible for burns. UVA 

rays penetrate to the deeper layers of skin and often are associated with allergic reactions, like a rash. 

Both UVA and UVB rays damage the skin and can lead to skin cancer. What’s more, scientists say, 

tanning can cause premature aging, immune suppression, and serious eye damage.

“Indoor tanning is safer than the sun because the environment is controlled.”

Sun lamps may be more dangerous than the sun because they can be used at the same high 

intensity every day of the year. Radiation from the sun varies in intensity with the time of day, the 

season, and cloud cover. Studies show that many people who tan indoors get burns. 

“Indoor tanning is approved by the government.”

No U.S. government agency recommends the use of indoor tanning equipment. And the 

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, also has 

concluded that tanning devices that emit UV radiation are more dangerous than previously thought. 

IARC moved these devices into the highest cancer risk category.

“Indoor tanning is a safe way to increase vitamin D levels.”

Vitamin D has many roles in human health. For example, it is essential for promoting good bone 

health. While UVB radiation helps your body produce vitamin D, you don’t need a tan to get that 

benefit. In fact, 10 to 15 minutes of unprotected natural sun exposure on your face and hands 2 to 3 

times a week during the summer gives you a healthy dose of vitamin D. You also can get vitamin D 

from food: good sources include low-fat milk, salmon, tuna, and fortified orange juice. 
1-877-FTC-HELP FOR THE CONSUMER

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ftc.gov

January 2010

For More Information

To learn more about the risks of tanning, visit:

•	 The Food and Drug Administration

www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm186687.htm

•	 The American Cancer Society

www.cancer.org

•	 The American Academy of Dermatology

www.aad.org

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices 

in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a 

complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 

1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints 

into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds 

of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.