About 20 states currently have some law aimed at limiting minors’ use of indoor tanning. The laws allow young people to use tanning parlors provided they have parental consent, even just a note from a parent in some cases. Only California had a stricter laws, banning children 14 and under from using tanning facilities.
Dr. Stuart Kaplan believes that tanning salons are businesses that expose teenagers to carcinogens and increase their risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and has been found to increase in people with a history of childhood sunburns. The Indoor Tanning Association estimates that 30 million Americans use tanning salons. The organization argues that indoor tanning, when done properly, can improve health.
Dr. Kaplan disagrees. Cases of melanoma of the skin have been increasing for decades. People who start tanning when they are young, or those who receive many sunburns have a higher risk of malignant melanoma. The good news is that melanoma is almost always curable if diagnosed early.
Tanning salons are often used by young women and girls, and as many as one in three girls use indoor tanning salons. Many researches believe the rates are even higher for female college students.
In another study from October 2008, researchers found that one-third of health officials in states with indoor tanning laws said they did not inspect tanning salons, while another third of the states inspected tanning salons less than once a year.
Dr. Kaplan feels that without proper inspections, the tanning booths themselves cannot be physically calibrated to measure the amount of UV radiation the machines emit. Also, the lack of inspections prevent salons having to show parental consents that would
be required for minors receiving tans
In the end, there is no such thing as a safe tan. Please understand the effects of UV radiation are cumulative; the more UV radiation you can avoid now, the more you decrease your risk of getting skin cancer later in life.
I was given a link to this blog from a friend, and WOW. I’m just sorry I didn’t know about it sooner. I have gone thru and even read all of your archived articles. What great information. Thank you Dr. Kaplan, and please keep the blogs coming! Any chance of posting something on what skin cancer actually is?
I heartily agree…wonderful blog Dr. Kaplan! I am looking forward to the next one. My only complaint is there should be one posted everyday!
Interesting info. Well written. Will stay clear of the tanning bed, and warn my nieces as well.
I heartily agree…Tanning at a young age is very bad!