Tanning bed use linked to increased melanoma risk in teens, study finds
Teenagers who use tanning beds face significantly higher risk of developing melanoma, with research showing they have nearly three times the risk compared to non-users, according to a study by Northwestern University medical researchers. The study found that tanning bed users had more than double the DNA mutation rate in melanocytes — skin cells that can develop into melanoma — compared to those only exposed to natural sunlight.
By Source Reporters Newsdesk
Sat, 29 August 2026 · 1 min read
Teenagers who use tanning beds face significantly higher risk of developing melanoma, with research showing they have nearly three times the risk compared to non-users, according to a study by Northwestern University medical researchers. The study found that tanning bed users had more than double the DNA mutation rate in melanocytes — skin cells that can develop into melanoma — compared to those only exposed to natural sunlight.
"Being young in the world we live in now, being tan and pretty, it goes together," said Nichole Sims, who began using tanning beds at age 15 and was diagnosed with melanoma eight years later. Sims now works to counter social media misinformation that promotes tanning as a mood booster and beauty requirement, sharing her own experience to warn others about the dangers.
Experts note that tanning beds can emit more than 10 times as much UV light as the sun, and researchers found that even just two or three DNA mutations in the right place can trigger melanoma development. The American Cancer Society projects more than 100,000 new melanoma diagnoses and about 8,500 deaths from melanoma in the U.S. in 2026, with growing concern about influencer-promoted tanning bed use among young adults.
The resurgence in tanning popularity has been fueled by social media, with one video sharing "tanning secrets" and showing off a bikini tan line gaining over 11 million views. Health officials warn that the normalization of tanning among youth, particularly through online platforms, is contributing to increased skin cancer risks in younger populations.
**Sources:** Associated Press
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