A Yahoo.com article yesterday suggested, apparently based on anecdotal evidence presented by a dermatology professor, that individuals can be exposed to herpes or other infections from contact with a sunbed. However, it remains Smart Tan’s position that it is virtually impossible to contract viral infections such as herpes, crabs, scabies or any other infestation from physical contact with a properly sanitized indoor tanning bed.

The Yahoo article quotes dermatology and pediatric professor Dawn Marie David, MD, saying she has “seen acquired bacterial infections, warts, and herpes infections from tanning beds based on the timing of the infection and distribution of the infection,” – seemingly thin evidence to make a conclusion, particularly considering a number of factors that suggest that scenario to be unlikely. No other sources or scientific evidence is mentioned in the article.

In 1993, Bob Howard, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, told Smart Tan that a tanning bed “wouldn’t be a good environment for viruses, since there usually has to be an exchange of body fluids” for a virus to be spread. Howard called the chance of contracting any virus from a tanning bed “extremely remote.”

What’s more, the same holds true for fungal infestations or infestations such as crabs, scabies, warts or ringworm. Because the Smart Tan certified staff at your salon properly disinfects its tanning units before every usage with a cleaner designed specifically for that purpose, it is even more unlikely for someone to contract any infestation in a salon.

As the international trade association for the indoor tanning salon industry, it is our considered opinion that any individual who came to this conclusion was severely misinformed and hasty with his or her diagnosis. There are other circumstances in which an individual can come in contact with viral infections, fungal infections, crabs, scabies or other infestations, and a properly disinfected tanning bed is probably the least likely place an individual could contract any of those disorders.

SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can’t say in your tanning salon business.

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