It is a common misconception that a tan is a sign of good skin health, this is not the case.  A tan is actually a sign of damage to the skin and can be just as dangerous as a sun burn.  It can cause skin to age prematurely as well as contribute to skin cell damage. Indoor tanning salon booths and beds in particular pose an even greater threat, delivering up to 15 times more UV radiation than the sun.

On average, more than 1 million people tan in tanning salons each day in the US alone.  These statistics are alarming considering the serious health risks involved.  Not only can tanning lead to unsightly brown spots and wrinkles, but it can also significantly increase the possibility of developing skin cancer.  Many tanning salons avoid those facts though, and instead promote the idea that tanning is a great source of vitamin D.  Adequate vitamin D however can be obtained in a number of healthier ways, whether through the consumption of fish, milk, orange juice or supplements.

Though a tan may look good now it can have harmful effects on the health of your skin later.  Simply put, there is no such thing as a safe tan especially when it comes to indoor salons.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)