Tanning Bed Ban Considered For Teenagers (VIDEO, POLL)

Taking a cue from British legislators, 12 states in the U.S. have bills pending that propose age restrictions for using commercial tanning salons, ABC News reports. Among them: California, Illinois and New York. In fact, Texas, always on the cutting edge, banned sun beds for anyone under 16-and-a-half years old.

Indoor tanning before age 35 raises the risk of melanoma by 75 percent and the World Health Organization added tanning beds to its Group 1 List of cancer causing substances (the same category as cigarettes)...although, oddly the FDA still has the "cancer coffins" lumped in with Band-Aids. Time to reevaluate.

The Indoor Tanning Association claims it's a decision that should be left to a teen's parents, releasing a statement that read: "If such a law were to pass, a 17-year-old could drive a car, get married, have children, go off to college, join the military and not be allowed to suntan indoors."

Said 17-year-old could still watch "Jersey Shore" -- or any MTV programming, for that matter -- which we think should be convincing enough to stay out of the bronzing booth.

What do you think?

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Should tanning beds be banned for teenagers?

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(Via Styleite)

Comments

[juliaalexa]

09:41 PM on 05/15/2011

We now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that UV and tanning beds are known carcinogens, cause chromosome damage and skin cancer including deadly melanoma. Young women in particular are not heeding the message of “no more tan”. A third of Caucasian girls between 14 and 22 surveyed in a recent study used a tan bed and a quarter of those did so weekly! 81% said they tanned outdoors frequently or occasionally in the past year.

The WHO and the American Academy of Dermatology support legislation prohibiting access to artificial tanning devices by children under 18. NY State is trying to ban tan bed use in minors. CT bill 972 proposes that a parent or guardian be required to read and sign the waiver for indoor tanning by a minor.

Lets get real about protecting ourselves, our kids and our sisters; don’t use a tanning bed. It ages your skin before its time and causes skin cancer. Be smart. And in this case as in most, Smart is beautiful!

Julia Sabetta MD
http://www.juliasabettamd.com

[juliaalexa]

09:40 PM on 05/15/2011

The incidence of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer has reached epidemic proportions. To subvert this epidemic, some things will need to occur. Sun avoidance when feasible, hats and clothing must become a habit. Sun avoidance is vital for a couple of reasons. Firstly, current sunscreens have their limitations. Current sunscreen formulations may not protect from all the sunlight wavelengths and features involved in melanoma formation. Secondly, people generally don’t use sunscreen adequately. Sunscreens although not a panacea, are a useful tool IF they are used properly! For best results, daily use of an SPF 30-45 sunscreen that protects vs. UVB and UVA light is recommended. Apply it in the am before any sun. Frequent re application is needed- every 2 hours of exposure and more often when swimming, perspiring heavily, or if there is rubbing that would remove product. People generally use only use 25-50% of the proper amount of sunscreen and skip spots. Finding a sunscreen you ENJOY using is also key for compliance-if you like it you'll use it! There is now even tinted chemical free sunscreen for an elegant make-up look!

Julia Sabetta MD
http://www.juliasabettamd.com

[juliaalexa]

09:31 PM on 05/15/2011

In the 19th century pale skin was the standard of beauty and considered a sign of wealth and the upper classes. As a tan indicated someone who worked outside, usually in a menial job, a tan was disdained. Clothing styles were more protective then, and hats and parasols were pervasive.
And then came Coco Chanel… who in the 20’s made tan fashionable. A tan became associated with prosperity and the accompanying free time for outdoor leisure pursuits and recreation. The myth of the healthy tan was born!
By the middle of the 20th century doctors began to realize that sun exposure had negative health effects.
Studies show that sunlight causes squamous cell skin cancer and its precursor, actinic keratosis, increases number of moles, is the principal cause of the undesirable skin changes associated with aging (like brown spots, and wrinkles), and is a major factor in the induction of melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer. Studies suggest that UVB light, the traditional sunburn rays, may trigger melanoma. Even wavelengths not directly absorbed by DNA, such as short visible wavelengths may participate in melanoma formation. But most importantly, it is UVA light (such as that also emitted in a tanning bed) that is implicated as the cause of melanoma development. It comes as no surprise therefore that tanning bed use is associated with an increased risk of melanoma. In fact regular sun bed use can increase ones chance of melanoma development by a whopping 75%!

[alicks]

05:13 PM on 04/13/2011

Whenever I look at a person who has obviously used a tanning bed, all I see is skin damage. There's nothing sexy about that!

[papallugeteam]

04:58 PM on 04/13/2011

Indoor tanning is huge around here, especially because prom is always in early April. You can't go to prom in an ice-cream colored dress without a tan! I'm too light for tanning, but that didn't stop me from trying back in the day. It's better to give up tanning sooner rather than later. Your skin will thank you for it when you're older. I'm 45 now and easily look ten years younger. Why? I haven't baked my skin in years.

[BEAUTASIA]

02:24 PM on 04/13/2011

We know so much more today, if I knew better back then I would have NEVER stepped foot in a tanning bed

[Chrystal Ji Davey]

07:03 AM on 04/13/2011

It's the difference between [1] the government banning everything (ahem-f@a$ci$m-coughcough) and [2] educating the parents on the risks and benefits (yes, there are some) and letting THEM make the decision for their kids.

I like #2.

[ddanimal]

12:29 PM on 04/13/2011

Unfortunately, the government cannot be trusted to do either.

[Leah Kaliszewski]

07:43 PM on 04/12/2011

I don't understand why so many people go to tanning salons, is that really neccessary? Is it going to be worth it when you have all those wrinkles, and possibly skin cancer? People, take care of your bodies! You only get one!
George Hamilton is the only person who can pull off that dark-n-crispy tan anyways.

Also, tanning salons are not neccessary to maintain an adequate level of vitamin D! If anyone suspects they may have a vitamin D deficiency, go to your doctor, they will order a blood test to check your vitamin D level, and if your level is too low it can be brought back up with vitamin D supplements.
:)

[ddanimal]

12:31 PM on 04/13/2011

Moderate UV exposure is much simpler, and cheaper way to optimize vitamin D levels. Besides, the government shouldnt be making these kinds of health choices for people. Clearly there are some benefits to tannin beds.

[Benjo333]

06:42 PM on 04/12/2011

Actually tanning beds should be banned. Why would you trash your skin, when a nice clear complexion couldnt be more chic.

[ajfrules]

03:26 PM on 04/13/2011

actually tanning beds shouldnt be bannned. and sometimes they can clear up overly oily skin and zits:)

[GraphicMatt]

02:35 PM on 04/12/2011

Grew up in south Florida where I was a nice deep, dark tan for the first 20+ years of my life. After seeing all the leathery skinned old folks I decided that I'd rather age with healthy, not as tan skin. I have two friends that had to battle with the skin cancer, so I'm sort of glad on that decision.

[ajfrules]

03:27 PM on 04/13/2011

and let me ask you, was that natural, from the sun? are they gonna ban the sun next?

[Fetus]

01:49 PM on 04/12/2011

Carcinogenic, out of vogue, Boehner-like...not a good look for teens.

[GraphicMatt]

02:36 PM on 04/12/2011

The best anti-tanning bed campaign would to be just show kids a picture of Boehner with the words "do you want to look like this?" underneath. If I were 16 that would scare the bejebus out of me.

[vincealy]

01:18 PM on 04/12/2011

Lets see vitamin d is deficiency is rampant and associated with many serious health ailments. This is largely a result of the dermatological community demonizing any sun exposure and 'claiming that sunscreen protects against and tanning causes melamona . There really is no evidence that that is true. Recently the EWG found the sunscreen in fact increased skin cancer http://www.ewg.org/release/nih-panel-links-vitamin-sunscreen-skin-tumors "NIH panel links Vitamin A in sunscreen to skin tumors " '...The panel's action is likely to have a significant impact on the U.S. sunscreen industry, which adds vitamin A to 41 percent of its sunscreens, ostensibly to combat aging (EWG 2010)........Today's action effectively demolishes objections from sunscreen industry-funded groups, including the Personal Care Product Council, paid consultants to sunscreen makers and the Skin Cancer Foundation,...."

Is not that the same groups that warn against tanning booths and any sun exposure.,,,,H'mm An interesting look at the ACS "Doctors Balk at Cancer Ad, Citing Lack of Evidence "......http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/10/health/10skin.html

[Jaimes mom]

02:22 PM on 04/12/2011

The debate here isn't about the value of vitamin D or the effectiveness of sunscreen ... it is about the dangers of tanning beds, particularly for minors. So if you want to talk about agendas, let's discuss the agenda of the indoor tanning industry who is fighting against these bans. Suppose it could be because they stand to lose a lot of $$$??? I have trouble believing that they have our health as the main motivating factor for their opposition to the ban tan legislation.

[ddanimal]

03:01 PM on 04/12/2011

The issue of vitamin D is linked, because tanning beds are a significant source of vitamin D for many users, especially in the winter and in the northern states. And the tanning industry has been manufacturing UV bulbs that are designed to create vitamin D. Some tanning salons market beds that produce significant UVB and hence create vitamin D.

[vincealy]

11:26 AM on 04/13/2011

In fact it.It is the constant drum beat linking sun exposure and tanning beds to melanoma is largely produced by the "sunscreen industry-f­unded groups, including the Personal Care Product Council, paid consultant­s to sunscreen makers and the Skin Cancer Foundation­ " Since the same groups have for years argued that sun screens 'prevent' skin cancer when in fact many seem to 'increase it' How reliable are they ? The actual money is in sun screens not in tanning booths.

[PIL]

09:53 AM on 04/12/2011

Although I like the really white Harry Potter look, I say let the teens tan if they want. Otherwise they will simply tan unsupervised in the homes of rich friends that can afford tanning beds.
http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/

[traceymarie]

06:55 PM on 04/12/2011

might as well let them drink and smoke , hell someones friend will give it to them.

[McHale Ann Haiman]

02:13 AM on 04/12/2011

Well, I don't think there is any reason to tan indoors when there is a perfectly good sun outside that with give you that nice leathery look.

[ddanimal]

03:02 PM on 04/12/2011

In most of the US, the sun does not produce significant UVB from about october until april. Thats one big reason why there is an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency in the US.

[Benjo333]

05:26 PM on 04/13/2011

And, then you can buy supplemental vitamin D or get it from food sources...not give yourself premature aging and increase likelihood of skin cancer.

[ajfrules]

03:13 PM on 04/13/2011

ITS CALLED WINTER. and if your up north u dont get to tan outside.

[ddanimal]

01:58 AM on 04/12/2011

Melanoma rates have increased dramatically since 1935, and sunlight exposure has DECREASED during this time. More people work indoors and sunscreens were essentially never used in 1935.

Non-burning UV exposure is NOT correlated with melanoma.

Use of sunscreens IS correlated with melanoma.

Melanoma rates have increased in parallel with the increase in sunscreen use.

Low vitamin D levels correlated with 500% INCREASED risk of melanoma.

Banning tanning beds is exactly backwards.

Read this:
http://grassrootshealth.net/media/download/sorenson_dsources_canad4part2.pdf

[babybecks]

12:03 PM on 04/12/2011

"Melanoma rates have increased in parallel with the increase in sunscreen use"

Are you suggesting correlation and causation with this information?

[ddanimal]

02:58 PM on 04/12/2011

Definitely correlation, possible causation.

The people that say that tanning beds and UV exposure cause melanoma also cannot point to proof of causation. And they dont even have the correlative evidence.

Since melanoma has increased with sunscreen use, and americans get LESS sun exposure today than they did 70 years ago, then it is not logical to say that further reducing UV exposure will decrease melanoma rates.

The evidence that melanoma is caused by sunscreens is stronger than the evidence that melanoma is caused by UV exposure and tanning.

[vincealy]

11:31 AM on 04/13/2011

Well it certainly does not show a protective effect.

[European1919]

12:08 PM on 04/12/2011

Sunlight helps the body create vit. D.
Melanoma has increased dramatically since the use of sunbeds became widespread and since the ozone layer has shrunk, which usually helps filter harmful UV.

Banning beds would certainly be a step in the right direction. It is normal to be more or less tanned in summer and pale in winter.