The use of tanning beds and other tanning devices to keep a bronze, summer glow year-round might be more dangerous than people think.

A new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published on Oct. 15 found that the use of tanning beds is associated with an increase in the risk of developing malignant melanoma.

Marit Veierød of the University of Norway and colleagues surveyed 106,379 Norwegian and Swedish women about personal characteristics and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, according to a press release. They followed up on the women's cancer status after an average of 8.1 years and found 187 cases of melanoma among the women, according to a press release from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

According to the study, several factors were associated with the disease, including use of tanning beds. Women who regularly used artificial tanning lights increased their risk of developing melanoma by about 55 percent.

The study noted that the most significant effects of UV exposure on melanoma occur during adolescence and early adulthood, and women who use artificial tanning lights once or more a month between the ages of 20 and 29 increased their risk of developing the disease by almost 150 percent.

Melanoma is a skin cancer that usually starts as a mole and can have a dark color or an irregular shape and grows quickly, said Dr. Derek Kenneaster, dermatologist at Carle Clinic in Urbana. The frightening thing about melanoma is that if it is not caught early, it can be deadly, he said.

"I usually tell a patient that there is no such thing as a safe tan," he said.

A tan is the body's response to DNA damage, he said. When the skin is exposed to UV light, it gets darker to protect itself from more UV light.

Don Kermath, owner of Classic Tan, said he does not agree with the study and said it cannot be applied to Americans because it was done in Norway and Sweden.

"You can't transplant a Scandinavian study and bring it to America and say it applies," Kermath said. "It's a big leap."

But Kenneaster said the study does apply to Americans because there are a lot of fair-skinned people in the United States. "It would be no different than a study linking smoking with cancer in Norwegians," he said.

Kermath said Classic Tan displays warnings for its customers about the possible risks of UV exposure. Posters hang in every room, information is available on new client forms, a statement is on every counter and sign-in sheets have an FDA warning, he said.

"We think that for those people who can tan, indoor tanning is the best way to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of tanning," Kermath said.

Kermath cited several reasons he believes indoor tanning is not a contributor to melanoma.

He said studies have shown that melanoma is more common among those who work indoors than those who work outdoors and melanoma often appears in places that are not exposed to UV light.

Kermath said this single study will have no impact on his long-term business because there is not enough scientific information to back it up.

Some students agree that this study would not be enough to keep them from using tanning beds.

Alex Groszko, senior in applied life studies, said she has not used a tanning bed for a long time and only goes if she is going to the beach and does not want to get sunburned. She said she knew tanning had health risks before this study came out, which is why she does not use tanning beds often, and this study alone would not be enough to keep her from going back, she said.

"Everybody says everything is essentially bad for you in some relative manner," Groszko said.

Other students seemed more concerned about the findings.

Stefanie Gross, junior in LAS, said she uses tanning beds about once every two weeks. She said she takes health risks into consideration.

"I only go for 10 minutes, but I feel like I need some color," Gross said.

Gross said she found the new study alarming. It might be reason enough for her to stop tanning as often or use other methods like spray-on tans, she said.

For those who are concerned about developing melanoma, Kenneaster said refraining from tanning is a good idea. Looking for irregularly shaped moles or making an appointment with a dermatologist for a baseline examination is a good way to find melanoma, he said.

"Unfortunately, a lot of effects of UV light don't show up until years later," he said.