ABHA: Saudi women are losing their dark skin color by opting for the bronze they get from tanning.

Instead of spending hours in the sun like women all over the world, Saudi women are following the newest technologies to turn their skin bronze, following the global fashion trend.

Although doctors and dermatologists have warned against the products as well as the tanning devices, saying they could lead to skin cancer, many still insist on following the latest fashion.

Amal Al-Saleh from Jeddah said that even though many Saudi women have dark skin, they are still competing to book appointments at tanning salons to feel that they are a part of the international trend.

Employee Salma Abdul Wahab says that many women are overwhelmed with desires to imitate and the wish to experience new fashion trends.

Dr. Thafer Al-Qahtani, a skin consultant at Asir General Hospital, says what begins as a “fun” experience could turn into a serious skin problem. “Being exposed to industrial ultra-violet rays could double the chances of cancer,” he explained.

He said that reports show that young women under 30 may increase chances of skin cancer by 75 percent.

“Ten sessions in tanning rooms per year are enough to cause serious problems,” he explained.

Researchers found that certain body parts are more likely to develop cancer than other parts such as the chest and back.

Al-Qahtani warned that ultraviolet rays cause early wrinkles especially among those under 30. He added that people who spend a large amount of time in the sun, either outside or in a tanning salon, run the risk of cell deterioration, early wrinkling, age signs, as well as the threat of skin cancer.

To avoid sun burns, he urged using sun screen, depending on the skin degree and tone.

He explained that direct exposure to sunlight causes sun burns that take some hours to show, and could last for several weeks.

Al-Qahtani added that tanning devices are equally dangerous as they burn skin, unless they are used in limited amounts.

He pointed out that workers in the medical field usually urge people to use these devices as little as possible, particularly teenagers, adding that some countries require parents to approve and accompany their children who are using the devices.

The International Health Organization has advised people under 18 against using these devices.

He added that vision could also be negatively influenced by these devices so sunglasses should always be used.

Some people use tanning products such as creams, lotions or spray but the products use as one of their main components Dihydroxyacetone, which was initially produced as an equivalent to glucose but was shown in the 1950s to change skin color.

Tanning pills usually cause an increase of melanin in the body, but it has the side effect of negatively influencing vision, the liver and the blood. The US FDA has not allowed their use as tanning pills.