Is regular tanning bed use equivalent to regular tanning in natural sunlight?

jj
I know that tanning in general can increase your risks for skin cancer and other things. However, it's unclear to me if there's really a difference between beds and natural sunlight. My question is not "is tanning good for you?" because I know that in general, it isn't. However, people seem to fuss more about tanning beds than sunlight.
I've read articles (and been told) that there is no difference between natural sunlight tanning and using a tanning bed. People who tan even suggest that tanning beds are better because it's "controlled", at least when they are used correctly.
For example, you tan for 6 minutes and don't burn, but get a touch of color, then increase to 7 minutes next time. If you turn even a bit pink, you ease back. You rest a few days and do only 5 minutes next time. 
It's much easier to get burnt in the sun and damage your skin. Additionally, those who tan in the sun spend hours and hours longer exposed (over the course of time) in comparison to than those who tan in beds do being exposed to bulbs.

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