In 2009 the World Health Organization declared tanning beds to be carcinogens. The industry countered that the UVA1 wavelengths were safer. Research has now found that when small areas of the skin of healthy volunteers was irradiated with either UVB or UVA1 wavelengths, changes to the DNA occurred, strongly suggesting carcinogenic effects of both types of UV light. The UVB damage tends to occur in the upper epidermis and UVA1 tended to occur in the lower dermis.
PositiveTip: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVB and UVA wavelengths to effectively reduce the risk of skin cancer.