The Joint Canadian Tanning Association this week issued the following press release refuting statements made by the Canadian Dermatology Association:

The Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA) strongly disputes the damaging allegations made yesterday by the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) about indoor tanning.

There is no data to suggest that tanning is more dangerous for any specific age group. Photobiology and epidemiology — if analyzed correctly — all suggest that burning (not tanning) at an early age could increase risk later in life.

Fact No. 1

Indoor tanning is the most controlled way to create a tan and generate valuable vitamin D levels. Nothing in this world is safe, if done in excess. Fair-skinned or Skin Type I people should not use a tanning salon. JCTA salons do not allow Skin Type I people to tan.

Fact No. 2

Melanoma rates have been dropping among men and women ages 15-29 in Canada since 2003, according to the Canadian Cancer Statistics 2009 (page 88). Cancer Care Ontario and the BC Cancer Agency, report incidences of malignant melanoma are actually dropping among women under 44 in those provinces. The Canadian Dermatology Association non-melanoma skin cancer rates are only estimates and that’s why they are not used in any of the Canadian Cancer Statistics 2009 charts. Who makes up these estimates?

Fact No. 3

The Canadian Dermatology Association receives significant funding from the sunscreen industry to communicate an anti-sun message at a time when even the Canadian Cancer Society is advocating brief daily exposure to sun. Creating an unnecessary fear of UV light increases the sale of sunscreen as well as increased visits to dermatologists and thus increased health care costs.

“It’s apparent the CDA doesn’t want the facts to get in the way of a sensational story. Indoor tanning is the most controlled way to get a tan. We support responsible UV light exposure because we know the majority of vitamin D production in our bodies occurs through the skins exposure to Ultraviolet B. We don’t advocate sunburning or tanning for fair-skinned Skin Type I people,” says JCTA President Doug McNabb.

“Canada’s indoor tanning industry welcomes every opportunity to discuss any concerns about its business practices. However, it’s extremely regrettable that after years of trying to meet with the CDA, it has ignored every attempt to openly discuss its issues with the industry,” added JCTA Executive Director Steve Gilroy.

Because the JCTA favours constructive solutions that are in the best interest of public health, the professional indoor tanning community supports the parental consent for anyone under 16 who wish to tan in salons. We support constructive efforts to bolster enforcement of this standard.

About the JCTA

The Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA) is a national non-profit organization created to increase understanding of the professional tanning industry’s scientifically supported position that regular moderate ultraviolet exposure from sunshine or sunbeds in a non-burning fashion is part of a responsible lifestyle that recognizes both the inherent benefits and the manageable risks associated with ultraviolet light exposure.