Skin Cancer and Tanning in Grand Rapids, Michigan

A tan is not a sign of good health. It is a visible sign that your skin has been damaged by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or from artificial sources like tanning beds. In Grand Rapids, where residents enjoy all four seasons—from bright summer days on the lakeshore to sunny winter days with snow—UV exposure can damage your skin year-round.

This guide explains why there is no such thing as a “safe tan,” how tanning affects your skin cancer risk, and what Grand Rapids residents can do to stay protected.

Why a Tan Is a Sign of Skin Damage

When your skin is exposed to UV radiation:

  • Skin cells in the top layer (epidermis) produce more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.
  • This extra melanin makes your skin look darker—a “tan.”
  • The tan is your body’s defense response to DNA damage in skin cells, not a sign of health.

Key points:

  • A tan provides very little protection—roughly equal to SPF 3, depending on skin type.
  • A tan does not protect your DNA from future UV damage.
  • Up to 80% of visible signs of facial aging (fine lines, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation) are due to UV exposure.

In Michigan, where people often feel “sun-starved” after long winters, there is a strong temptation to tan quickly in spring and summer. This sudden, intense exposure increases the risk of burning and long-term skin damage.

Skin Cancer Risk in Grand Rapids and Michigan

The United States has some of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, and Michigan is no exception. Fair-skinned residents, people who work or play outdoors, and those who use tanning beds are at particularly high risk.

  • Any tanning method that exposes your skin to UV radiation increases your risk of:
    • Melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer)
    • Squamous cell carcinoma
    • Basal cell carcinoma
  • The more UV exposure over your lifetime, the higher your risk.

Local factors for Grand Rapids:

  • Summer: Strong sun on beaches, lakes, and outdoor events (e.g., boating on Lake Michigan, hiking, sports, festivals).
  • Winter: UV rays reflect off snow, increasing exposure even on cold or cloudy days.
  • Cloudy days: UV can penetrate clouds—common in West Michigan—so you can still get skin damage even when it’s not bright and sunny.

Tanning Beds and Sunlamps in Michigan

Tanning beds (solariums, sunlamps, sunbeds) use artificial UV radiation to tan the skin. They can emit UV levels up to several times stronger than the midday summer sun, causing faster and deeper skin damage.

Health risks:

  • People who use a tanning bed before age 35 have:
    • A 59% greater risk of melanoma
    • A 67% increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma
    • A 29% increased risk of basal cell carcinoma
  • Tanning bed tans do not protect against DNA damage in skin cells.
  • UV-emitting tanning beds are in the highest cancer risk category (same as tobacco and asbestos) according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

In Michigan, commercial tanning facilities are regulated, and minors’ use of tanning beds is restricted. If you have concerns about a tanning business in the Grand Rapids area, you can contact:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

Fake Tans vs. Real UV Exposure

Fake Tanning Products

Fake tanning products (“sunless tanners”) provide color without UV exposure. These include:

  • Lotions and creams
  • Sprays and mousses
  • Combined moisturizer/tan products
  • Bronzers and tinted sunscreens

Most fake tans use dihydroxyacetone (DHA):

  • DHA reacts with proteins in the outer layer of skin to create a brown color.
  • Lower DHA concentrations = lighter tan; higher = darker tan.
  • The color is temporary and fades as dead skin cells shed (usually within a few days).

Important:

  • Fake tans do not stimulate melanin production.
  • Fake tans do not provide meaningful UV protection.
  • Unless the product specifically contains a high SPF sunscreen, it will not protect you from sunburn or skin cancer.

Bronzers and Tinted Sunscreens

  • Bronzers and tinted cosmetics (foundations, powders, tinted moisturizers, tinted sunscreens) provide temporary color that washes off with soap and water.
  • Tinted sunscreens can offer real UV protection only if they list an SPF and “broad-spectrum” coverage on the label.
  • Even then, protection lasts only about 2 hours and must be reapplied.

Health Risks of Fake Tanning Products

While fake tans are safer than UV tanning, they are not risk-free.

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA)

  • DHA is considered safe for topical use on intact skin.
  • There is limited evidence about the safety of DHA on:
    • Eyes
    • Lips
    • Mucous membranes
    • Internal organs

Spray Tans

Spray tanning booths, often found in salons, spas, and some gyms in and around Grand Rapids, use a fine mist of DHA-based solution.

Potential risks:

  • Inhalation of DHA-containing mist
  • Exposure to eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes

If you choose a spray tan:

  • Make sure the area is well-ventilated, not a small, enclosed space.
  • Wear goggles to protect your eyes.
  • Use a mask to avoid inhaling the mist.
  • Close your mouth and hold your breath when the face is being sprayed, as directed by the technician.

Tan Accelerators and Tanning Injections

Tan Accelerators

Tan accelerators claim to speed up tanning by stimulating melanin production. They can come as:

  • Tablets or capsules
  • Injections
  • Lotions or creams

These products may contain chemicals such as psoralen and tyrosine.

Risks:

  • Long-term use has been associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.
  • When applied to the skin, they can cause:
    • Painful blistering
    • Irritation and redness
  • When taken by mouth, possible side effects include:
    • Nausea
    • Headaches
    • Itchy skin
  • There is no solid evidence that topical tyrosine products meaningfully increase tanning or protect skin.

Psoralen should only be used under medical supervision for specific skin conditions (such as psoriasis), never for cosmetic tanning.

Melanotan (Tanning Injections)

Melanotan is an unapproved injectable product that stimulates melanin production to darken the skin.

  • Often purchased from overseas or unregulated websites.
  • Not approved for cosmetic use in the United States.
  • Long-term side effects are unknown.
  • Self-injecting any substance carries serious risks:
    • Infection
    • Bloodborne diseases
    • Allergic reactions
    • Unpredictable systemic effects

If you or someone you know is using tanning injections:

  • Stop using them immediately.
  • Do not share needles.
  • Talk to your primary care provider or a dermatologist in Grand Rapids (e.g., at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or local dermatology clinics).
  • Safely dispose of needles at an approved sharps disposal site (ask your pharmacy or Kent County Health Department).

Safe Sun Protection in Grand Rapids

Whether you’re walking downtown, at a Whitecaps game, visiting Lake Michigan, or skiing in winter, UV protection is essential in West Michigan.

When to Use Sun Protection

Use sun protection whenever:

  • The UV index is 3 or higher (check local weather apps or forecasts).
  • You will be outdoors for more than 15–20 minutes, even on cool or cloudy days.
  • You are near water, snow, or sand, which reflect UV rays.

How to Protect Your Skin

For best protection:

  1. Wear sun-protective clothing

    • Long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts.
    • Tightly woven fabrics or clothing with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating.
    • Darker colors generally offer more protection than light colors.

  2. Use a broad-brimmed hat

    • Choose a broad-brimmed, bucket, or legionnaire-style hat that shades your:
      • Face
      • Head
      • Neck
      • Ears
    • Baseball caps do not protect your ears or neck.

  3. Apply sunscreen correctly

    • Use SPF 50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.
    • Apply at least 20 minutes before going outside.
    • Use a generous amount (about a shot glass full for an adult’s entire body).
    • Reapply every 2 hours, or more often if:
      • Swimming
      • Sweating
      • Towel drying

  4. Wear quality sunglasses

    • Choose sunglasses that:
      • Meet recognized UV protection standards
      • Block 99–100% of UVA and UVB rays
    • Wraparound styles offer extra protection for the sides of your eyes.
    • Eye protection is important all year, including winter, because UV rays reflect off snow and ice.

  5. Seek shade

    • Stay under trees, umbrellas, awnings, or shade structures, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
    • Remember: UV rays can reflect off surfaces, so shade alone is not enough—combine with clothing and sunscreen.

Local Skin Cancer Care and Resources in Grand Rapids

If you are concerned about a mole, freckle, or any change in your skin, seek medical advice promptly. Early detection of skin cancer greatly improves treatment outcomes.

Local options include:

  • Primary Care Providers & Clinics

    • Spectrum Health primary care practices
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids clinics
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health clinics
    • Independent family medicine and internal medicine practices

  • Dermatology Services

    • Dermatology departments at major hospital systems
    • Private dermatology clinics throughout Grand Rapids
    • Mohs surgery centers for skin cancer treatment

  • Public Health Resources

    • Kent County Health Department – information on cancer prevention, community health programs, and local resources.
    • Grand Rapids Public Health initiatives – check for community events and educational programs on sun safety.

If you notice:

  • A new mole or spot
  • A change in size, shape, or color of an existing mole
  • A sore that doesn’t heal
  • Itching, bleeding, or crusting spots

make an appointment with your doctor or a dermatologist as soon as possible.

Key Takeaways for Grand Rapids Residents

  • There is no such thing as a safe tan from UV exposure—sun or tanning beds.
  • A tan is a sign of skin damage, not health.
  • Fake tans (lotions, sprays, mousses) do not protect you from UV radiation.
  • Long-term use of tan accelerators and tanning injections is linked to increased skin cancer risk and other side effects.
  • Tanning beds and sunlamps significantly increase your risk of melanoma and other skin cancers.
  • In West Michigan’s variable climate—sun, snow, clouds, and lake reflection—UV protection is important all year.
  • Combine clothing, hats, sunglasses, shade, and SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen for the best protection.

If you have questions about tanning, skin cancer risk, or safe sun practices, talk with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider or contact local public health resources for guidance.