Nichole Sims started using a tanning bed at 15 because her peers were doing it, especially before events like homecoming dances and prom. Eight years later, she was diagnosed with melanoma — a potentially life-threatening skin cancer.

Resurgence in Tanning Popularity

Experts are concerned about a resurgence in the popularity of tanning among young adults as social media has helped tanning in general make a comeback. A video of a girl sharing her “tanning secrets” and showing off a bikini tan line has racked up more than 11 million views.

More than 100,000 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026, and about 8,500 people are expected to die from melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society. Even more worrisome, some influencers are encouraging the use of tanning beds.

Risks of Tanning Beds

Dr. Pedram Gerami and his team at Northwestern University’s medical school found that tanning bed users had nearly three times the risk of developing melanoma as those who did not use tanning beds. The DNA mutation rate of melanocytes in tanning bed users was more than double that of nonusers whose only exposure to UV is outdoor sun.

Gen Z adults are less informed about sun protection and more likely to believe misconceptions about tanning, according to a 2025 survey by the American Academy of Dermatology. More than one-fifth of young adults said they prioritized getting a tan over protecting their skin and more than half believed common myths like having a “base tan” would protect against sunburn.

Using tanning beds before age 20 can increase your chances of developing melanoma by 47%, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The World Health Organization has long classified tanning beds as a cancer-causing agent in the same category as tobacco and asbestos.

Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.