Red Light vs Tanning Beds:
Safety, UV & Skin Risks

Why people confuse red light and tanning beds

At first glance, they can look similar: a bed or pod, colored lights, lying down for a set number of minutes. It makes sense that people ask:

• “Is this basically just a fancy tanning bed?”
• “Will I get the same skin cancer risk?”
• “Do I need goggles like a tanning salon?”

Under the hood, though, they’re very different tools. The main split is what kind of light is being used.

The big difference: UV vs non-UV light

In simple terms:

• Tanning beds use ultraviolet (UV) light — usually UVA with some UVB — specifically to trigger tanning by damaging skin cells enough to boost melanin.
• Red light therapy uses visible red and often near-infrared light, not UV, aimed at supporting cellular energy and tissues without creating a tan.

Red light devices that are actually meant for therapeutic use are designed to avoid UV wavelengths, because the goal is not to tan or intentionally damage the skin.

UV and skin risks in tanning beds

Medical groups have been very clear about tanning beds:

• They add to your overall UV exposure.
• They are linked with a higher risk of skin cancers, including melanoma.
• They can speed up signs of skin aging like wrinkles and spots.

That doesn’t mean every single person who has used a tanning bed will get skin cancer — but it does mean they are not considered a wellness tool. They’re a known risk factor on most dermatology charts.

What our Prism pod actually does (and doesn’t)

Our pod is designed to deliver red and near-infrared light, not UV. That means:

• It does not tan you — even with repeated sessions.
• Its goal is wellness support (energy production, recovery, comfort), not cosmetic tanning.
• We still treat it with respect: timed sessions, controlled exposure, and screening questions.

The absence of UV doesn’t mean “no risk at all for anyone,” but it does remove the specific, well-documented UV-tanning bed risk category.

Do I still need to protect my eyes?

Light and eyes are a separate topic from skin cancer. We:

• Provide eye protection for guests to use in the pod.
• Encourage those with eye conditions or surgeries to clear light exposure with their provider.
• Discourage staring directly into bright LEDs at close range.

The goal is simple: wellness support without creating new problems, including for the eyes.

Who should especially avoid tanning beds

While tanning beds aren’t recommended for anyone, they’re especially concerning if you:

• Have a history of skin cancer or strong family history.
• Burn easily or have very light skin.
• Take medications that increase photosensitivity.

If you’re in those groups and considering any kind of light exposure, it’s worth talking with a dermatologist about what’s safe or not.

Why we don’t offer tanning services

At RedLight Freedom, we chose not to offer tanning because it doesn’t match our core goals:

• Support recovery, not damage: we’re focused on feeling and functioning better, not chasing a tan.
• Evidence-informed decisions: major health organizations have consistently flagged indoor tanning as harmful.
• Clarity for guests: we want “red light” in our space to mean non-UV light, not a tan by another name.

That doesn’t mean you have to give up every cosmetic preference you have. It just means our studio stays in the lane of non-UV light.