Increasing the use of sunless tanning lotions may lower the number of teenage girls suffering from skin cancer later in life, according to a study published in the journal Archives of Dermatology.

Regular indoor and outdoor tanning without the proper skin protection can lead to overexposure of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which increases a woman’s risk of developing skin cancer. However, if a teenage girl opts for sunless tanning alternatives, she could lower the amount of unhealthy UVR exposure.

During a four-month trial, researchers surveyed 1,600 adolescents aged 11 to 18 years about their use of tanning-related products. Also, participants reported their skin type as well as their opinion of sun protection and tanning.

The results of the questionnaire showed that nearly 11 percent of individuals had used tanning products, and of this group, the majority were older women. Furthermore, the researchers found that sunless tanning products used during indoor tanning led to more sunburns.

The authors stated that “our findings suggest that in adolescents, use of sunless tanning products appears independently correlated with risky UVR exposure behaviors, but not with routine use of sunscreen.” They added that young women “must be educated about these products and the importance of avoiding indoor tanning and practicing sun-protective behavior.”

In 2006, more than 23,000 women were diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.