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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Jun 13.
Published in final edited form as: Ped Health. 2009 Dec 1;3(6):565–578. doi: 10.2217/phe.09.55

Table 5.

Summary of reasons for using tanning beds or sunlamps among the studies reviewed

Overall % (N) Range (Minimum, Maximum)

… aesthetics* 52.5% (9) (30.0%, 92.0%)
… relaxation 50.5% (7) (11.8%, 74.6%)
… vacation preparation 41.7% (6) (19.0%, 61.0%)
… happiness or lifted spirits 40.1% (2) (14.0%, 51.0%)
… to gain a protective base 32.6% (3) (15.0%, 54.7%)
… influenced by friends 26.1% (4) (7.3%, 60.0%)
… feel healthy 17.3% (2) (10.8%, 29.0%)
… self-confidence 14.3% (2) (11.7%, 20.0%)
… treatment of medical or skin condition 4.9% (5) (1.0%, 15.0%)
… to avoid the sun 1.7% (2) (1.0%, 6.8%)

N = number of studies

*

Aesthetics includes to look or feel better and an improved appearance.