We're excited to present this story from our friends at Allure: A new Yale study has found that tanning beds cause increased rates of early-onset basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer. Tanning bed use increased the rates of BCC by 69 percent. This follows a University of Minnesota study that found that tanning bed users were 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma, the most deadly Read more

The Golden State is about to get a little less golden. Teenagers under 14 are already not allowed to tan in California, but starting Jan. 1, the age limit will be raised to 18. As you might imagine, the Indoor Tanning Association, an organization that represents the tanning industry, is not pleased, citing that a decent-sized portion of its members' clients (5 to 10 percent) are under 18. But as Read more

Baking in the sun or on a tanning bed is bad news for your skin. Since exposure to UV rays leads to wrinkles and skin cancer, many people are turning to spray tans instead. This UV-free alternative is meant to give your skin that kissed-by-the-sun glow. You stand in a booth as your skin is coated with a mist of sunless tanning solution. The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is Read more

Another good reason not to bake? That perfectly even golden glow is actually impossible for most people. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that some areas of the body are much more resistant to tanning than others — meaning people often overexpose themselves in a cycle of attempting to "even out" their tan. Unsurprisingly, people's butts were particularly uneven tanners — Read more

Last month, I attended my cousin's wedding in Pennsylvania, and as you might be able to detect, my tan lines also came along. Of course, if you have visible tan lines, you can always let them roam free, but in case you want to disguise them a bit, there are options. While you can always try a self-tanner, you run the risk of ending up with streaks or a strange orange glow. That's why my Read more

Despite the fact that tanning beds have now been classified as known carcinogens, people continue to risk developing melanoma just for a fake bake. Today, the 10 percent tanning tax goes into effect, so we wanted to break apart some persistent myths about tanning beds. Manhattan-based dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman has the straight facts on what tanning can and can't do. To see if you're in the Read more

Earlier this month, YumSugar had a big event coming up, the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. She wanted a healthy glow for the days-long festivities but didn't want to expose her skin to UV rays. (Smart cookie.) Enter the spray tan. Yum decided to try Brown Sugar Boutique in SF. While this faux-tanning service can be performed by a machine, our foodie wanted the preciseness that only a human Read more

Some people dismiss their frequent tanning appointments by claiming that they don't feel healthy or attractive without a tan, but new evidence suggests that they could be physically addicted to tanning. Exposure to the high levels of UVA in modern tanning beds releases a rush of feel-good endorphins, and the sense that a tan makes you look thinner or prettier further reinforces that sense of well Read more

Because of all the health risks associated with achieving a sun-kissed glow, I'm not big on tanning. Related: I was made fun of for being so pale at a friend's Summer wedding a few years back. A girlfriend quickly intervened and gave me liquid bronzer to use on my arms, shoulders, and legs — I've been a convert ever since. I like it because it gives the illusion of a natural tan but washes off Read more