Dr. Eilish Cleary, the chief medicalofficer of health, is speaking out about the dangers of all tanning. (CBC)

The province’s chief medical officer of health is urging New Brunswickers to learn about the dangers of all tanning and not just tanning beds.

"There is no such thing as a healthy tan," Dr. Eilish Cleary said in a statement issued Friday.

Tanning causes premature aging and increases the risk of developing skin cancer, said Cleary.

And tanning beds “carry a substantially higher risk” than the sun due to higher radiation levels, she said.

In March, the Canadian Cancer Society was calling on New Brunswick to follow the lead of Nova Scotia and introduce tanning salon legislation.

As it stands, New Brunswick has only voluntary guidelines, implemented in 2010. They include an age limit of 18, a ban on advertising any health benefits of artificial tanning and a limit of one tan every 48 hours.

Earlier this year, a Department of Health evaluation found 55 per cent of salons weren’t following provincial guidelines and were allowing people under the age of 18 to use tanning beds.

In addition, 75 per cent of salons failed to display all mandatory health warnings, the evaluation found.

Nova Scotia has had legislation prohibiting anyone under the age of 19 from using tanning beds since May 2011.

In 2009, the World Health Organization classified UV-emitting devices, including commercial tanning beds, as definitely causing cancer in humans.

Precautions to take

Cleary advises people “avoid indoor tanning completely.” She also recommends they take precautions to avoid sun damage, including:

• Reduce sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and when the UV index is higher than 3.
• Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and reapply according to the instructions.
• Cover up with loose fitting clothing and seek shade.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

New Brunswickers should also check their skin regularly and consult a physician about any changes, including birthmarks or moles that change shape, colour, size or surface; a sore that does not heal; any patch of skin that bleeds, oozes, swells or itches; and other growths.

"Sun damage adds up over time," said Cleary.

"The skin can repair superficial damage, such as the redness and soreness of a sunburn, but the underlying damage remains.”

It may take up to 30 years for cancer to develop from repeated exposure, said Cleary.

“The younger you are, the greater your risk," she said.