Teens At Risk During Indoor Tanning

Studies suggest that each day, more than one million Americans tan in tanning salons. More than 70 percent of these tanners are Caucasian girls and women aged 16-49 years.

These numbers continue to rise, despite an increasing body of research which emphasizes the risks of indoor tanning, including premature aging, wrinkles, and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Most teens are not aware that tanning indoors carries the same (or sometimes worse) risks as tanning outdoors.

Many teenage girls feel pressure to tan, and this increases by age. A 2002 study found that only 7% of 14 year old girls had used a tanning bed, but this number rose to 35% by the time these girls were 17 years old.

Research suggests that tanning can be habit forming, and that teens may experience "tan withdrawal" if they stop tanning.

Skin cancer (melanoma) is on the rise in this group of young women.

Part of the increased danger is due to the fact that tanning beds use bulbs which emit significant amounts of UVA and UVB radiation, some as much as 15 times stronger than the sun.

If you have a teenage daughter, talk to her about sun-safety.