Can a Tanning Bed Replace Vitamin D From the Sun?

More and more people are choosing to get that “summer glow” with a quick trip to a tanning salon instead of spending time outdoors. But can a tanning bed replace vitamin D from the sun?

Though experts have voiced a variety of opinions on this question, the general consensus seems to be a cautious and qualified yes – it’s theoretically possible to replace vitamin d from the sun, but depending on how the tanning bed is calibrated, it may be unlikely. Some skin specialists say limited exposure to the sun itself is the best choice, while others advocate avoiding artificial and natural sun alike and depend on food and supplements to maintain adequate levels of the vitamin.

How do we get vitamin D from the sun? Exposure to the sun triggers the body to produce vitamin D, which is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin. Long recognized for its importance to bone health and strength, it has recently been proven to play an important role in a host of aspects of both physical and mental health.

Low levels of the vitamin have been associated with a number of serious diseases including cardio-vascular disease, multiple sclerosis, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease, and several forms of cancer. Recent research has also shown that insufficient levels of the vitamin are clearly correlated with mental health issues, including depression and cognitive impairment in the elderly.

Since few foods contain vitamin D, getting vitamin D from the sun is traditionally an important part of avoiding deficiency. But when hectic schedules, cloudy skies, or winter weather make spending time in the sun a challenge, a few minutes in a tanning salon may seem like a good substitute for vitamin D from the sun. But many experts warn that while the rays from a tanning bed could stimulate the production of the vitamin, getting vitamin D from the sun itself is safer.

Sunlight – both natural and artificial – contains two types of ultraviolet rays. UVB rays, which are shorter and penetrate only the surface layers of the skin, are the ones that trigger the synthesis of the vitamin. UVA rays are longer and penetrate deeper layers of the skin, and are responsible for the deep golden tans that most tanning salon patrons desire.

As little as 20 minutes of exposure to UVB rays can maintain sufficient levels of vitamin D, but prolonged exposure can quickly lead to sunburns. In order to enhance tanning and reduce the potential for burning, tanning beds are often calibrated to emit primarily UVA rays. This also significantly reduces the amount of vitamin D that this type of exposure that salon tanning can provide.

The argument over whether the benefits of vitamin D from the sun outweigh it’s potential for creating problems has been going on for more than a decade. Pointing to the possibility of skin cancer, some dermatologists urge people to actively avoid getting vitamin D from the sun, preferring that it come from foods and supplements. At the same time, other skin specialists say that the body is equipped to handle moderate sun exposure.