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Tanning Bed Dangers for Teenagers

Despite their growing popularity, the use of tanning beds has been attributed to causing detrimental health effects such as burns, the suppression of immune systems, damage of the cornea, cosmetic and drug-induced photosensitivity, and a higher risk of developing melanoma cancer.

  1. Significance

    • 2.3 million teens visit tanning salons in the United States every year; only half of the states have laws regulating tanning bed use.

    Medical Opinions

    • According to Dr. Kunin of Dermadoctor.com, "one of the biggest risk factors for melanoma is chronic exposure to ultraviolet rays, primarily through tanning under the sun or in a tanning bed."

    Considerations

    • The World Health Organization (WHO) considers tanning beds to be so dangerous that it has recommended that teens be banned from indoor tanning.

    Expert Insight

    • According to Dr. Hema Sundaram of Healthcentral.com, the use of tanning beds increases the risk of developing melanoma "by 300 percent for those using tanning beds occasionally and by 800 percent for those using tanning beds more than 10 times a year."

    Fun Fact

    • Coco Chanel is accredited with starting the tanning trend by accident after she came back especially sun burnt from a holiday in the French Riviera.

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