The value of tan lines: vulvar melanoma and ultraviolet rays.

Recreational sun exposure of the general population has increased. There is less clothing on the beaches, increased accessibility to tropical beaches, and increased use of artificial suntanning equipment. The vulva, traditionally, has been protected from sun exposure. In this age of nude sunbathing, particularly within the confines of a tanning bed, it is interesting to ponder whether such exposure would affect the incidence of melanoma of the vulva.