Chris LeBouef visited tanning beds four times a week for four years. His mother sent him an article a month ago on melanoma risks for indoor tanners, and the advertising junior hasn’t tanned since.In July, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, moved tanning beds to its highest skin cancer risk category — “carcinogenic to humans.” According to the study, substantial evidence links the ultraviolet rays used in indoor tanning to a high risk of cutaneous melanoma — a risk that increases by 75 percent when tanning beds are regularly used before the age of 30.A 2005 National Health Interview Survey found more than 20 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds tan indoors. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S., and of those cases, more than 68,000 are melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest cancer and accounts for about 8,650 of the nearly 12,000 skin cancer deaths in the country each year.A study released in March by San Diego State University surveying 116 of the largest U.S. cities showed Baton Rouge and Shreveport tied for the twelfth highest density of tanning beds among southern cities with densities of 14.5 facilities for every 100,000 residents.Baton Rouge has 33 tanning salons in its surrounding area, and Shreveport has 29, according to the study.Kim Coates, owner of Palm Beach Tan on Bluebonnet Boulevard, said about 30 percent of her clientele are college students, and tanning sessions total 8,375 so far in 2009 — a 67 percent increase from 2007.She said aside from an interest in darker skin, more people are interested in non-UV airbrush tanning.Kristi Cochran, Salon Tropics employee, said she has seen an upward trend in tanning memberships during recent years, and about a fourth of her clientele are University students. She said all the beds in the facility use UVA and UVB bulbs.Inder Seghal, biomedical science associate professor, said the UVB and UVA rays used in tanning beds are dangerous — UVB rays damage the skin directly and cause sunburn, but damage from UVA rays is invisible and more penetrating. He said it takes about six serious damages to skin stem cells for permanent damage and susceptibility to cancer to occur. Donna Boeta, owner of Palm Beach Tan on Corporate Boulevard, said indoor tanning is only dangerous at the point of burning.”There is a lot of conflicting theories out there,” she said. “We’re FDA-regulated.”But Kathy Saichuk, Wellness Education coordinator at the Student Health Center, said burning isn’t necessary for melanoma to be contracted. She said the DNA structure of human skin cells mutates when hit by UV rays. This mutation causes growths, and some of the growths can be cancerous. She said melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer because it digs deeper into tissue and can get into the bloodstream, spreading cancerous cells. Tanning can also affect the eyes, she said, and conjunctivitis or damage to the cornea or retina can occur. “The people who are coming out with theories on cancer … weren’t educated on safe tanning,” Boeta said. Boeta cited Tanningtruth.com, a pro-tanning Web site dedicated to dispelling alleged myths about the dangers of indoor tanning.The site states: “Moderate tanning, for individuals who can develop a tan, is the smartest way to maximize the potential benefits of sun exposure while minimizing the potential risks associated with either too much or too little sunlight.”But Saichuk warned students to be wary of such information.”The bottom line on the tanning bed industry is it’s a money-making industry … They’re probably going to find someone who says they’re an authority on this,” Saichuk said. Saichuk said fair-skinned and young people need the most protection from damaging rays. She said sunscreen should be worn every day to keep a healthy balance of vitamin intake and protection from damage. She said students’ most critical areas during the day are faces, forearms and the backs of calves.A dermatologist is available at the Health Center to perform screenings and removals of dangerous cells, she said.Saichuk said the push to look bronze is mainly perpetuated among young adults.”I just look weird when I’m white,” said Megan Richard, nutrition freshman. She said she tans twice a month in salons and suffers from withdrawals when she stops tanning.Jordan Labbe, education sophomore, was surprised to hear the high risks reported by the IARC. But she said she assumes cancer will never happen to her.”It is really scary, but I don’t know anyone that’s been affected by [tanning]” she said. ————Contact Sarah Lawson at [email protected]