Tanning beds could triple melanoma risk, new study finds

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Published  December 12, 2025 7:25pm EST
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FILE - Dr. Pedram Gerami looking at a skin biopsy in his office. (Northwestern Now) 

The Brief

    • A Northwestern University study found that tanning bed use triples the risk of melanoma and causes widespread DNA mutations across the skin.
    • Researchers discovered that indoor tanners had nearly twice as many genetic mutations as non-users, including in areas normally protected from sun exposure.
    • Experts urge frequent tanners to see a dermatologist for early detection and recommend non-UV alternatives like spray tans and self-tanning lotions.

A recent study out of Northwestern University found evidence that using tanning beds can increase a person’s risk of developing skin cancer. 

The research is the first of its kind and found that using tanned beds increased the risk of melanoma threefold, according to a university news release.

What they're saying:

"Even in normal skin from indoor tanning patients, areas where there are no moles, we found DNA changes that are precursor mutations that predispose to melanoma," said study first author Dr. Pedram Gerami, professor of skin cancer research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "That has never been shown before."

Tanning beds can mutate skin cells

Dig deeper:

Researchers used a new genomic technology on skin cells that were donated from three donor groups. 

The first group consisted of patients who had long histories of indoor tanning. The second group was made up of nine patients who never used tanning beds and the third group consisted of six cadaver donors. 

Of the 182 DNA sequences, scientists found that the skin cells from patients who used tanning beds have nearly twice as many mutations compared to their counterparts. 

Additionally, the people who used tanning beds had mutations in areas that are usually protected from the sun. 

"In outdoor sun exposure, maybe 20% of your skin gets the most damage," Gerami said. "In tanning bed users, we saw those same dangerous mutations across almost the entire skin surface."

Get checked

By the numbers:

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation website. 

More than two people die of skin cancer in the United States every hour. 

It's estimated that the number of new melanoma-specific cases in 2025 will increase by 5.9% and deaths will increase by 1.7%. 

What you can do:

Researchers encouraged people who frequently tan to get checked by a dermatologist. Earlier detection is always best. 

"Most of my patients started tanning when they were young, vulnerable and didn’t have the same level of knowledge and education they have as adults," Gerami said. "They feel wronged by the industry and regret the mistakes of their youth."

Dermatologists recommend tanning using non-UV methods such as spray tans and self-tanning lotions. 

The Source: Information for this article was taken from a Northwestern University news release and information from the Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center website. This story was reported from San Jose.  

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