Reality TV star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian is facing backlash after showcasing a tanning bed in her new skincare brand's headquarters during a video tour posted on January 18.
Fans were quick to express concern, citing the potential health risks associated with tanning beds, particularly in light of Kim's sister, Khloe Kardashian, publicly sharing her battle with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
In response to the criticism, Kim took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to address the issue. She explained, "I have psoriasis and it really helps when it’s bad. But I don’t use it too often."
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Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by scaly or inflamed patches, and UVB therapy is a recognized treatment, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. However, tanning beds typically use UVA, which is not recommended by the Foundation.
The National Psoriasis Foundation explicitly states on its website that it "does not support the use of indoor tanning beds as a substitute for phototherapy performed with a prescription and under a healthcare provider’s supervision."
During the video tour, Kim Kardashian can be seen lying down in the tanning bed, stating, "I'm Kim Kardashian. Of course I have a tanning bed. And a red-light bed."
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You can watch the video here:
The criticism intensified as fans and medical professionals expressed their concerns. Khloe Kardashian had previously revealed on September 19 that she had melanoma removed from her face. Some X users questioned Kim's decision to use a tanning bed, especially considering her sister's skin cancer journey.
"Kim Kardashian has a tanning bed in her home; didn’t her sister Khloe get diagnosed with melanoma recently… yikes," one X user wrote.
Others criticized Kim for seemingly promoting tanning beds, with one user saying, "And WHEN @KimKardashian gets skin cancer from her tanning bed she will be giving us a sob story! You’d think she’d have some cop on because Khloe had it!"
Doctors also joined the conversation on social media, with dermatologist Dr. Scott Walters expressing concern in a TikTok video. Walters pointed out the genetic and age components of melanoma, emphasizing that having a family history of melanoma increases the risk by 74%, while indoor tanning before the age of 35 increases the risk by 75%.
The American Academy of Dermatology supports these concerns, stating that studies have shown an increased risk of melanoma and other skin cancers associated with exposure to UV radiation from indoor tanning beds.
