Tanning
Indoor tanning (tanning bed, booth, or sunlamp) can cause: 1
- Skin cancer (including melanoma, the deadliest type)
- Cataracts
- Cancers of the eye (ocular melanoma)
- Premature aging, wrinkles, and age spots
- Changes in skin texture
Those who begin indoor tanning in adolescence or early adulthood have a higher risk of getting melanoma.
Indoor tanning is not a safe way to get Vitamin D. 1
- Diet is much safer!
Indoor tanning use in minors (younger than 18): 1
- CDC research shows that states with indoor tanning laws that include age restrictions had lower rates of indoor tanning among minors.
- In the United States, numerous states have banned indoor tanning in minors (younger than 18 years old).
- The full list can be found here: https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/global-advocacy-and-engagement/melanoma-legislation/tanning-legislation-in-2016/
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a rule restrict indoor tanning use by minors.
Indoor tanning use on college campuses:
- According to the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, approximately 1 in 3 non-Hispanic white women between 18-21 and 22-25 years reported using indoor tanning. 1
- 48% of the top 125 colleges have indoor tanning facilities either on campus or in off-campus housing.2
- 14% of colleges allow campus cash cards to be used to pay for tanning. 1
- Because adolescents are more likely to tan if they live in close proximity (within 2 miles) of an indoor tanning salon, on-campus tanning facilities pose a major threat to the health of the young adults in our nation.3,4,5
Sources:
1. Skin Cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm. Published 2014. Accessed July 11, 2016.
2. Wehner MR, Chren M, Nameth D, et al. International prevalence of indoor tanning: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2014;150(4):390-400
3. Hoerster KD, Mayer JA, Woodruff SI, Malcarne V, Roesch SC, Clapp E. The influence of parents and peers on adolescent indoor tanning behavior: findings from a multi-city sample. J Am Acad Dermatol. Dec 2007;57(6):990-997.
4. Mayer JA, Woodruff SI, Slymen DJ, et al. Adolescents’ use of indoor tanning: a large-scale evaluation of psychosocial, environmental, and policy-level correlates. American journal of public health. May 2011;101(5):930-938.
5. Pagoto SL, Lemon SC, Oleski JL, et al. Availability of Tanning Beds on US College Campuses. JAMA dermatology. Oct 29 2014.
2. Wehner MR, Chren M, Nameth D, et al. International prevalence of indoor tanning: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2014;150(4):390-400
3. Hoerster KD, Mayer JA, Woodruff SI, Malcarne V, Roesch SC, Clapp E. The influence of parents and peers on adolescent indoor tanning behavior: findings from a multi-city sample. J Am Acad Dermatol. Dec 2007;57(6):990-997.
4. Mayer JA, Woodruff SI, Slymen DJ, et al. Adolescents’ use of indoor tanning: a large-scale evaluation of psychosocial, environmental, and policy-level correlates. American journal of public health. May 2011;101(5):930-938.
5. Pagoto SL, Lemon SC, Oleski JL, et al. Availability of Tanning Beds on US College Campuses. JAMA dermatology. Oct 29 2014.