Kim Kardashian shrugs off backlash over her ‘irresponsible’ tanning bed viral video while hat shopping in Aspen with skin cancer survivor sister Khloe
Kim Kardashian surfaced Thursday amid growing backlash over her now-viral video promoting tanning beds to her millions of TikTok followers.
The reality TV star, 43, was branded ‘irresponsible’ for using her huge platform to spotlight a beauty practice known to increase the risk of skin cancer.
But Kim seemed unbothered by her critics as she shopped with her sister Khloe, a two-time melanoma survivor, at Kumo Sabe in Aspen, Colorado.
She was photographed wandering around the expensive western clothing store, wearing a beige cowboy hat and a glamorous black fur coat.
Kim completed her cozy look with pointy heels, a low-cut top and flared pants.
Kim Kardashian surfaced in Aspen, Colorado, on Thursday amid growing backlash over her now-viral video promoting tanning beds to her millions of TikTok followers.
The reality TV star, 43, was branded ‘irresponsible’ for using her huge platform to spotlight a beauty practice known to increase the risk of skin cancer.
Meanwhile, Khloe, 39, was seen bundled up in a huge fur coat and fur hat as she braved the snowfall with their half-sister Kendall Jenner, 28.
In 2022, Khloe was diagnosed with ‘rare’ melanoma after a lump on her cheek was biopsied.
She had to undergo ‘immediate surgery’ and the tumor was successfully removed.
But it left a dent on one side of her face that she must have since filled.
She previously had surgery at the age of 19 to remove the melanoma on her back.
Khloe’s most recent skin cancer scare was featured on her family’s reality TV series The Kardashians, with the Good American founder warning fans that it is “deadly.”
In September, Khloe encouraged her own fans to “be consistent with skin cancer checks.”
Even though melanoma runs in her family, Kim felt at ease as she showed off the enormous tanning bed in her office this week.
But Kim didn’t seem bothered by her critics as she shopped at Kumo Sabe
Kim was joined by her sister Khloe, 39, a two-time melanoma survivor
Khloe hung out outside the store with their little half-sister Kendall Jenner, 28
In 2022, Khloe was diagnosed with ‘rare’ melanoma after a lump on her cheek was biopsied and forced to undergo ‘immediate surgery’ to remove it.
Although the surgery was successful, the removal left a dent in her cheeks that she has since filled with facial filler
Despite melanoma running in her family, Kim felt comfortable showing off the huge tanning bed in her office as part of a new TikTok trend
She did this as part of the new “natural” TikTok trend where people gently mock common beliefs about themselves.
At one point during the tour, Kim spoke to the camera while wearing special black glasses while lounging in a tanning bed.
“I’m Kim Kardashian, of course I have a tanning bed…” she said, but paused to jump out and jog to a $78,000 red light therapy bed. “And a red light bed in my office!”
The reality TV star’s fans and critics quickly took to social media to express their disappointment.
“Still can’t get over the tanning bed in 2024,” one X user wrote, while another added: “The rich are so out of touch.”
Several fans were shocked to learn that Kim’s tanning bed is located in the office of her skin care company, SKKN by Kim.
‘Why would she use a tanning bed if her family genetics predisposes her to skin cancer? ‘ read another tweet.
The reality TV star’s fans and critics quickly took to social media to express their disappointment
Dermatologists on TikTok also warned Kim and her fans about the many health risks of using tanning beds.
Studies have shown that indoor tanning increases the risk of developing the two most common types of skin cancer: squamous cell carcinoma by 58 percent and basal cell carcinoma by 24 percent.
Denver-based dermatologist Dr. Scott Walter said: ‘Kim, no disrespect, but why do you have a tanning bed if your sister has had a history of melanoma herself? (referring to Khloe here).
‘If you have a family history of it, your risk of melanoma increases by 74 percent. And that’s on top of the risk of indoor tanning beds and melanoma alone.
‘Let’s not promote indoor tanning. There is no such thing as safe tanning.’
Dr. Aamna Adel, a London-based dermatologist, simply responded with a crying emoji to “Sunbed,” sparking a series of commenters complaining that she was promoting an unsafe practice.
The first response to Dr.’s comment Adel read, “THANK YOU!! I had to scroll so far down to find this: Completely banned in Australia years ago due to skin damage/risk of skin cancer.’
Another said: ‘In 2024 she has an ashtray next to it?’
And another: ‘Can I use the sunbed again if Kim Kardashian does?’
Her defenders were quick to point out that the mogul may be using a tanning bed to treat her psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that leads to inflamed flaky patches of skin, usually on the scalp, elbows and knees.
UVB rays, the kind of sun that causes burns, are believed to help relieve psoriasis flare-ups. But tanning beds mainly emit UVA light, the type that can most easily lead to wrinkles and other signs of premature aging, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.
Tanning to treat psoriasis is not recommended because the risk of cancer far outweighs the benefits.
As one commentator put it, “I can’t even believe this needs to be explained today.”
Tanning beds are a known carcinogen, so much so that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires warning labels on all indoor tanning equipment
The American Academy of Dermatology Association strongly advises against going for a tanning bed to achieve the coveted Kardashian glow.
‘Indoor tanning can increase the risk of developing the two most common types of skin cancer: squamous cell carcinoma by 58 percent and basal cell carcinoma by 24 percent.’
While tanning bed use is declining, the AADA reported that approximately 7.8 million Americans have remained undeterred.