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Tanning beds have had a complicated journey from their early origins in medical therapy to becoming a popular beauty trend. The tanning bed as we know it today was invented in 1970 to provide users with a sun-kissed glow all year round. However, its rise in popularity was accompanied by growing concerns about the risks of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and its link to skin cancer.
Intrigued? From early innovators to regulatory changes, click through this gallery to discover all there is to know about the tanning bed and its prevalence today.
Danish physician Niels Ryberg Finsen became interested in the medical benefits of sunlight in the late 19th century. Throughout his research, he discovered that sun rays could help patients with a variety of ailments, particularly lupus vulgaris.
Niels Ryberg Finsen developed the Finsen lamp, a carbon arc lamp that emitted ultraviolet rays. This paved the way for indoor tanning around the world.
As tanning became increasingly popular throughout the 20th century, Friedrich Wolff, a German scientist, developed a high-UVA tanning bed and lamp in 1975. They became available for sale in the United States in 1978.
When the tanning bed was introduced to the US market in the late 1970s, it was an immediate success and quickly gained in popularity.
Tanning beds became increasingly popular through the 1980s, with tanning salons opening across the United States and Europe.
Tanning beds started appearing in gyms, spas, and beauty salons, making them even more accessible, meaning users could even get their tanning fix during their lunch break.
Celebrities and fashion trends from the 1980s to the 2000s often promoted a bronzed look, fueling the demand for tanning beds.
The tanning industry used advertising campaigns to promote the benefits of tanning beds, emphasizing a tan's aesthetic appeal for a low cost.
Before entering a tanning bed, an indoor tanning lotion is usually applied. These lotions contain no sunscreen but, instead, moisturize the skin. Goggles should be worn to avoid eye damage, but in one 2004 study tanners said they avoided goggles to prevent leaving pale skin around the eyes.
Tanning beds became popular among teenagers and young adults, with many viewing a tan as a symbol of beauty and health. Some of the cast members of the popular TV show 'Jersey Shore' even released lines of tanning lotions.
While many users frequented a salon to top up their tan, some opted to purchase a tanning bed for their home. Those who had their own device would tan more often and were more likely to be addicted to tanning.
As tanning beds became more widespread, concerns about their safety and the risks of UV radiation exposure began to emerge.
Studies in the late 1980s showed the use of tanning beds adversely affected human immune function, and highlighted the potential risk between tanning and skin cancer.
Since 1979, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been regulating tanning beds, requiring warning labels about the risks of UV exposure and providing a recommended maximum exposure time.
On July 29, 2007, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released a report that classified UV-emitting tanning devices as "carcinogenic to humans," reinforcing the link to skin cancer.
In the 2010s, in response to health concerns, governments began implementing stricter regulations on tanning bed use, especially for minors.
In some cases, tanning bed manufacturers have faced lawsuits for failing to warn consumers about the risks of using their devices. In 2015, two New York state salons faced a lawsuit over promoting deceptive health benefits of tanning and significantly downplaying the risks.
Public health campaigns in the 2000s and 2010s raised awareness about the dangers of tanning beds and UV radiation. Australia's Cancer Council "The Dark Side of Tanning" TV campaign was particularly impactful.
Alternatives to tanning beds, such as self-tanning lotions, became more popular as safer alternatives to getting a bronzed glow. Self-tan brand St. Tropez began the SkinSmart campaign in 2009 to campaign for stricter tanning bed regulations in the UK.
Western beauty trends in the mid 2010s began to favor a more natural look, reducing the demand for cosmetic tans.
As public awareness of risks increased, many tanning salons faced declining business or closure. The market size of the tanning salon industry in the US, for instance, decreased by 5.4% per year on average between 2018 and 2023.
Ongoing scientific research continues to investigate the long-term health risks associated with tanning beds. There is consistent evidence that shows tanning bed users have an increased chance of developing skin melanoma.
Campaigns focusing on the dangers of UV exposure have increased significantly, particularly since the 2000s. Rising skin cancer rates show there is a growing need to educate the public about safe practices.
The focus on the early detection of skin cancer has encouraged more people to avoid tanning beds and to practice UV safety.
The commercial use of tanning beds was banned entirely in Brazil and Iran in 2008 and 2009 and in all Australian states and territories except the Northern Territory in 2015.
Sunless tanning has advanced to give users a radiant glow in mere minutes and with a longer-lasting and more natural color. Some spray tan systems now use microtechnology to atomize tanning fluids to fine particle size, ensuring flawless application.
The debate over the safety of tanning beds continues, with some advocates arguing for tighter restrictions or outright bans.
In 2023, 67% of female skincare users opted for products that helped improve their skin's overall health. However, in January 2024, media personality Kim Kardashian shared a video of her office and showed off a tanning bed. Could indoor tanning be making a comeback?
According to Sherry Pagoto, a professor at the University of Connecticut, tanning bed use is at an all-time low. However, indoor tanning seems to be experiencing a resurgence, with the hashtag #SunBed on TikTok having over 570 million views.
Sources: (Dazed) (Aqua Living Factory Outlets) (NIH) (Cancer Council)
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Tanning beds have had a complicated journey from their early origins in medical therapy to becoming a popular beauty trend. The tanning bed as we know it today was invented in 1970 to provide users with a sun-kissed glow all year round. However, its rise in popularity was accompanied by growing concerns about the risks of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and its link to skin cancer.
Intrigued? From early innovators to regulatory changes, click through this gallery to discover all there is to know about the tanning bed and its prevalence today.