The winter months often bring reduced energy and low mood, prompting many to seek ways to combat the “winter blues.” For those with more pronounced symptoms, the question of whether a tanning bed might offer relief from the lack of sunshine often arises. This idea stems from the known benefit of light in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a recurring depressive disorder associated with the changing seasons. However, the light required for SAD treatment is fundamentally different from the light used in tanning salons.
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a pattern of depressive episodes that typically begins in late fall or early winter and remits by spring. Common symptoms include persistent fatigue, increased appetite leading to weight gain, and a tendency toward hypersomnia, or sleeping much more than usual. Individuals may also experience difficulty concentrating and social withdrawal during these darker months.
The primary biological cause of SAD is the disruption of the body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, due to decreased natural sunlight exposure. This lack of light, specifically visible light, can cause an imbalance in key brain chemicals. The brain may increase the production of the sleep-regulating hormone melatonin and alter the activity of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood, leading to the symptoms of depression.
Tanning Beds Versus Therapeutic Light
The belief that tanning beds can treat SAD is based on the idea that any bright light exposure will be beneficial, but this is a scientific misunderstanding. SAD treatment requires visible spectrum light, which must enter the eye to stimulate non-visual photoreceptors that reset the body’s clock. Tanning beds primarily emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation—UVA and UVB—which is invisible light that has no therapeutic effect on the underlying cause of SAD.
Effective light therapy uses specialized devices that provide a high intensity of visible light, typically 10,000 lux, which is much brighter than standard indoor lighting. Tanning beds require protective goggles to shield the eyes from harmful UV rays. Since the light source required to treat SAD works through the eyes, not the skin, this shielding actively prevents the necessary light from reaching the retina to regulate the circadian rhythm.
The Significant Health Risks of Tanning Beds
Regardless of their ineffectiveness for SAD, the use of tanning beds carries serious, well-documented health risks. Tanning devices expose the skin to intense levels of UV radiation, which significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancers, including melanoma, the deadliest form. People who begin using tanning beds before the age of 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75 percent.
Exposure to UV radiation also contributes to premature skin aging, causing wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Failure to properly shield the eyes during a tanning session can cause serious damage, increasing the risk of cataracts and photokeratitis. While some individuals report a temporary mood boost due to endorphin release, this effect does not constitute a safe or effective treatment for a depressive disorder.
Medically Recommended Treatments for SAD
Health professionals recommend safe and proven alternatives for managing Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms. Bright Light Therapy (BLT) is considered a first-line treatment, using a specialized light box that provides 10,000 lux of UV-filtered, visible light. This therapy is typically administered for 20 to 30 minutes each morning, with effects often noticed within days or a few weeks.
Other standard treatments are often used, either alone or in combination, to manage SAD:
- Psychotherapy, specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps people cope with the symptoms.
- Antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be prescribed for more severe cases.
- Increasing time spent outdoors during daylight hours.
- Maintaining a regular exercise schedule to help mitigate the effects of seasonal depression.