With proms, graduations and summer right around the corner, the allure of a golden glow draws many Ohioans, especially teens, to indoor tanning facilities this time of the year. However, experts warn that so-called “fake baking” increases a person’s risk of melanoma, the deadliest of all skin cancers.

Dr. Kari Kendra, associate professor of clinical-medical oncology at Ohio State University’s James Cancer Hospital, says research shows regular tanning-bed use increases a person’s melanoma risk by 75 percent. And she says there are other factors to consider as well.

“In addition to the cancer risk, it’s a very short-term change. The more tanning bed use that people have, the faster their skin will look older. We call it photo-aging. They’re going to age much faster and look worse than someone who avoids it,” she said.

Dr. Kendra says unlike natural sunlight, the light from indoor tanning doesn’t produce a pigment that protects the skin from UV rays naturally, and it doesn’t stimulate the production of vitamin D in the body.

May is National Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention month, and Dr. Kendra encourages people of all ages to perform skin checks once a month.

“Look behind the legs, have somebody look at your back, the back of the neck, the back of the ears. Particularly what you’re looking for is any moles that are changing. It could be changes in color, changes in size, changes in shape,” she said, adding that if you notice any moles that are changing, you should bring it to the attention of your physician.

Many people like to use tanning beds to achieve a healthy-looking glow, but Dr. Kendra says there are much safer ways to keep your skin looking good.

“For those that like to have that pigment color in their skin, tanning creams and those sorts of things are much, much safer than using a tanning bed. But to look healthy, you eat healthy, you exercise and your skin will be healthy,” she said.

Dr. Kendra says it’s also critical to take precautions in natural sunlight as well. She suggests avoiding sun exposure between noon and 3 p.m. and using sunscreen, clothing, sunglasses and hats to protect your skin.

In Ohio, lawmakers are currently debating legislation that would ban anyone under the age of 18 from using a tanning bed without doctor approval. Opponents of the bill say it should be up to parents to make that decision.

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