Category Archives: Indoor Tanning

Pediatricians Endorse Indoor Tanning Ban for Those Under 18.

Posted on February 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the professional organization representing the nation’s child care experts, says that indoor tanning salons should refuse to allow people younger than 18 to use their services in order to protect them from developing skin cancer.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB rays) emitted from tanning bed lights has been implicated in rising numbers of melanoma and other skin cancers. Research shows people who start going to tanning salons before age 35 have a 75-percent increase in their chances of developing melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer.

A previous AAP study of indoor tanning by U.S. youths found that a substantial minority of American youth engages in indoor tanning. However, it is particularly prevalent among older youth, girls, and youth whose parents themselves use indoor tanning sunlamps.

“There are more tanning facilities in the U.S. than there are Starbucks or McDonald’s,” said Dr. Sophie J. Balk, who helped write the new statement for the American Academy of Pediatrics. “More than a million visits are made every day.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one million skin cancers are diagnosed every year in the U.S. and most of them are sun-related. Eleven states already have tanning restrictions for kids, but none goes as high as 18 years, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The AAP now joins the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and WHO in seeking an indoor tanning ban.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Indoor Tanning

Tagged , , ,

Melanoma Risk From Indoor Tanning – Association Stronger Than Ever

Posted on May 28, 2010 | 2 Comments

Indoor tanning users are 74% more likely to develop melanoma than others, according to a study of 2,000+ participants reported in the June issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. This study makes the strongest link yet between indoor tanning and melanoma.

Melanoma afflicts nearly 69,000 Americans a year and is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Researchers began with more than 2,000 individuals, one-half of whom had documented cases of melanoma. The participants were asked their tanning habits, including outdoor sun exposure and use of indoor tanning equipment.

The researchers found that there was an increased risk of developing skin cancer from the use of tanning beds, but not from lifetime exposure to outdoor sunlight, whether through jobs or leisure activities.

The results show such a strong link between exposure to artificial ultraviolet light and melanoma that it could influence the pending FDA decision on whether to tighten regulation of tanning salons. A ban on indoor tanning for teenagers is even possible.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Indoor Tanning

Tagged , , ,

Indoor Tanning Tax Supported by Dermatologists

Posted on May 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

“New Law Puts Heat on Indoor Tanning“, a May 4th article published in the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that a 10% tax on indoor tanning scheduled to start in July is unpopular with the tanning industry.

Dr. Mar Vierra

Mark Vierra, M.D. - Dermatologist

Many dermatologists, however, are in support of new indoor tanning tax. They have been diagnosing and treating an increasing number of skin cancer cases related to the use of indoor tanning salons, particularly among young women.

“I love the tan tax.  We know there’s an association between melanoma and tanning salons and we’d like to ban them completely,” said Darrell Gonzales, MD, FAAD.

Dermatologist Mark Vierra, MD, FAAD, recommended spray tanning as an alternative for those seeking a golden glow. “I spend a great deal of my day removing skin cancer from patients, so it’s hard for me to support any kind of UV tanning. The new (spray) technology is so much safer.”

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Indoor Tanning

Tagged , , , ,

Tanning Bed Addiction is Real

Posted on April 21, 2010 | 1 Comment

The “Addiction to Tanning Beds”  article published in the April 2010 issue of the Archives of Dermatology showed that attempts to reduce skin cancer risk should address the addictive qualities of indoor tanning.

According to the study, about 1/3 of young people who use tanning beds may be addicted to the way that the UV light makes them feel.

It has been known for several years that UV light triggers the brain’s production of endorphins, natural opiates, that improve one’s mood in a manner very similar to narcotics. Interestingly, it has been found that if frequent tanners are administered naltrexone (a medication used in emergency rooms to treat patients who have overdosed on narcotics) they will undergo withdrawal symptoms similar to those addicted to narcotics.

In short, the UV light leads to and increase of endorphins to which some are so addicted, the blocking of those endorphins by naltrexone leads to withdrawal symptoms. This addiction is also suggested in the behavior of frequent tanners who admit to classic addictive behaviors, such as being unsuccessful in their efforts to cut back on tanning, becoming irritated when told to cut back and skipping out on other activities in their lives to ensure that they can use a tanning bed.

This addiction of frequent indoor tanners must be taken into account as the FDA considers restricting access to indoor tanning beds.

See more information on the dangers of indoor tanning

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Indoor Tanning, Skin Cancer Prevention

Tagged , , , ,