Interesting article in the January 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology entitled “Tanning bed hygiene: Microbes found on tanning beds present a potential health risk.” Ten of the top 10 tanning salons in New York were swabbed to see if they would grow different microbes. 5 organisms were isolated from one site, 4 organisms from one site, 3 organisms from five sites, 2 organisms from 2 sites, and 1 salon had one organism.
The pathogens found in these tanning beds have been associated with serious skin infections. Thus, this study shows clearly that the risks associated with tanning bed exposure go beyond that of skin cancer.
~ Dr. Benjamin Barankin