Kim Kardashian Sparks Demand For Tanning Beds - Here's Why This Is Troubling
Kim Kardashian broke the internet ... again. After posting a video on TikTok showing off her indoor tanning bed in her SKKN office, searches for tanning beds exploded. As a result, searches for "KBL tanning beds" and "Kim Kardashian tanning bed" shot up by more than 2000%. People also searched for "indoor tanning," resulting in a 1300% surge. If that wasn't enough, searches were also up for indoor tanning-related products. "Clear tanning gel" saw searches boost 250%, and "best tanning bed lotion to get dark fast" was up by 250%.
Kardashian's post also sparked people's memories about her sister, Khloe Kardashian, who had a scare with melanoma in 2022 (per People). This caused people to Google "Which Kardashian had skin cancer" over 800% more throughout the past 24 hours.
In an exclusive interview with Health Digest, dermatologist Dr. Aanand Geria of Geria Dermatology says the International Agency for Research on Cancer considers tanning beds to be just as carcinogenic as tobacco. Tanning beds are dangerous because they emit UVA rays. "These rays are associated with an increased risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer," Geria said. "In addition, they can cause premature skin aging, such as wrinkles and sunspots."
Do tanning beds and red light beds have health benefits?
After Allure told Kim Kardashian not to normalize tanning beds, she posted on X, formerly Twitter, that she used the tanning bed to help with her psoriasis. "I don't use it too often," she wrote. Dr. Aanand Geria said that UVB light can treat psoriasis in controlled, clinical settings, but tanning beds are different because they lack medical supervision.
"Tanning beds primarily emit UVA light, which is less effective for psoriasis and carries a higher risk of skin damage and cancer," Geria explained. "For someone with psoriasis, using a tanning bed might provide temporary relief but poses significant long-term risks."
Kardashian also showed off a red light bed in her TikTok video. That sent Google searches for "what is a red light bed" up 300%. While Geria didn't say red light beds were harmful, he does question some of their health benefits. "Red light therapy beds claim to provide various health benefits, including skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and relief from pain and inflammation," he noted. "While there is some scientific evidence supporting the benefits of red light therapy for wound healing and temporary relief of muscle and joint pain, the evidence for other claims, especially for skin rejuvenation, is less conclusive."