According to one US expert, tanning beds are the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, including herpes.
Namely, dermatologist Dawn Marie Davis notes that bacteria thrive on sunbeds, despite the high temperatures.
Davis notes that the bacterium that lives on the skin goes onto the bed which heats up, but the heat isn’t enough for sterilization. This allows the bacterium to strengthen and harden.
We Can Get a Herpes from Tanning Beds If this Happens
The sweating adds to the virus or bacteria’s capacity to grow. So, if the person has a cut or a bruise on the skin, they’re likelier to get the infection.
The herpes virus which can be caught by direct contact with the skin is also a risk. Fecal bacteria and the herpes virus which causes warts are able to survive on the surface of tanning beds.
According to Davis, this can be prevented by stopping or minimizing our use of sunbeds. A safer option in terms of the risk of herpes is spray tans.
Sunbed Tan Is NOT Safer than Exposure to the Sun
The Cancer Research UK notes that sunbeds are often marketed as a controlled method of getting a tan that’s safer. However, the truth is different. Sunbeds aren’t safer than exposure to the sun.
Namely, sunbeds release harmful UV rays that are damaging to the skin and excessive sunbed tanning can cause the skin to be more wrinkly, look older, and leathery.
Moreover, the sunbed UV rays may also damage the skin cells’ DNA as time goes by, this damage may elevate the risk of skin cancer.
How to Tan Safely Outdoors
Summer is here and plenty of people are tempted to get a session at their favorite salon for tanning; however, it may be smarter and safer to rethink this decision.
If you want a tan, make sure you have some fun while getting it. You can tan at the pool or on a hike. Apply sunscreen on all exposed body parts and reapply as needed.
This method of tanning is natural and you’ll also save money along the way. But, avoid tanning for hours and when the sun is the strongest: a 10-minute or 15-minute session in the morning or late afternoon sun daily is enough.
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