Does a sunlamp cause less skin damage than the sun?

Sunlamps cause as much skin damage as sunshine. The tanning lamps emit even more ultraviolet (UV) light than is found in sunlight, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Ultraviolet light damages the DNA in your skin cells. (DNA is the coding that tells cells how to reproduce.) If the DNA is damaged, the cells may produce cancer cells instead of healthy ones. Ultraviolet light also damages key proteins in your skin, such as collagen and elastin, making the skin more likely to wrinkle and develop age spots. For these reasons, the AAD opposes the use of sunlamps, except for medical purposes.

Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing to safeguard your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.