Posted : 04/01/2002

Posted : 04/01/2002

by Joe Schuster

Vitamin D & Tanning

Some of my tanners are asking if people can obtain vitamin D from indoor tanning. Is this true?

--Vic Staskus,
Electric Beach, Cleveland

Electric Beach uses Signature Series, Midday Sun and Beach Sun lamps by Light Sources.

Vic, that question comes up often. Over the years, tanning salons have claimed such things as "the UV from a tanning bed or booth can alleviate psoriasis, cure colds and flu, treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and much more."

We are an industry that seeks to comment on the positive effects of light, especially with so much negative information that gets out from the media. Indoor tanning systems provide a controlled climate to obtain a cosmetic tan and are classified as Class 1 medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration.

The controlled climate places us at a huge advantage when compared to the uncontrolled aspects of the natural sun. With the sun we have no idea just how much UV we are getting, which many times results in a sunburn.

However, we currently cannot make any health claims from indoor tanning. In fact, research is indicating that to treat SAD, one would have to look at the light source. Of course, with indoor tanning, we should never look at the lamps without FDA-compliant eye protection!

At this time, vitamin D research only indicates that the sun activates the production of vitamin D3 synthesis. However, there is some hope that it can be proven to come from indoor tanning. Dr. Michael Holick, a well-known photobiologist from Boston University, currently is working on this project.

However, at this time tanning salons cannot, and should not, indicate that you can get vitamin D from a tanning bed or booth. The Federal Trade Commission forbids indoor tanning salons from medical claims such as these at this time. If you are aware of a salon that is advertising this point, you may direct it to the FTC.

If you have a question that you would like answered in this forum, please email joe_lsi@bellsouth.net.

For further information about Light Sources, visit www.light-sources.com.