Teenagers are especially at risk for problems with sun exposure and future skin cancer, according to Amy Adams, M.D., Ph.D., a dermatologist at the.Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF). “Teens are starting to get lots of sun at an earlier age, and they don’t recognize this can cause cancer and sun damage.” This increasingly includes indoor tanning, says Dr. Adams.
“Teenage girls are at tremendous risk of skin cancer from indoor tanning,” says Dr. Adams. “There are several important studies that have shown that out of the millions of people that do indoor tanning, three-fourths of them are teenage girls. These young girls are at a huge risk to get basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, which are some of the most common skin cancers, and also melanoma, which is one of the deadliest skin cancers.” Dr. Adams says research has also shown that indoor tanning activity is particularly high among Caucasian girls who are in their teenage years through their 20s.
“Our review of seven studies showed a 75 percent increase in melanoma in people who are exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning devices,” explains Dr. Adams. “So, in addition to protecting their skin from natural sun, we strongly recommend that people – especially young teens – avoid exposure and dangerous radiation that comes with indoor tanning.”
According to Dr. Adams, one of the reasons it is particularly important to avoid indoor tanning is because the devices emit wavelengths of light similar to what the sun emits – both UVA and UVB. “We know that UVB normally causes tanning and burning, and is also a risk for some skin cancers,” says Dr. Adams. “UVA is the same in terms of risk for some skin cancers and also photo aging. We have a known entity in the sun in terms of how many minutes or length of time it may take to get some sun damage. However, indoor tanning devices are quite unregulated in terms of the energy they produce. They could have similar or much higher levels of radiation than the sun. Therefore, it’s particularly important to avoid indoor tanning because there’s no strong data to know how much energy you are giving yourself.”
Indoor Tanning Regulation
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering modifying how indoor tanning equipment and facilities are classified. According to Dr. Adams, there are different categories in which the instruments can be classified, depending upon their risk. “Currently, tanning beds are listed only as a Category 1 instrument, which would be similar to something like a bandage,” explains Dr. Adams. “However, we clearly know that these instruments pose a very high health risk of causing cancer – especially for our teens – and because of the high risk potential for skin cancer, the FDA plans to upgrade the category classification. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation strongly supports the FDA’s efforts to restrict the use of indoor tanning devices.
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a restriction on use of indoor tanning by minors because of the high risk for skin cancer, only 31 states in the United States regulate indoor tanning use by minors.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) opposes indoor tanning and supports a ban on the production and sale of indoor tanning equipment for non-medical purposes.
Suggestions for Teens on Tanning and Sun Safety
Dr. Adams says teenagers are interested in saving time and doing things they think will improve their appearance – such as tanning – in part, because of messages they see in the media. “Indoor tanning can be alluring to teens because it is secretive and only takes a few minutes,” she says.
“At the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Department of Dermatology, we strongly encourage our teens to not tan, whether it’s by the sun or an indoor tanning device. If they express a desire to become tan – or to have that appearance for an event, we often tell them, ‘Get a spray on tan or perhaps wear different type of clothing or something else to modify your appearance – but, please do not tan. It’s too dangerous for you in causing potential skin cancer and skin aging.’ “That’s our motto – no indoor tanning. And always, wear sunscreen, protective clothing and a hat.”
YouTube Video of Dr. Adams Discussing Research Findings:
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0dL_VvkOC8
Additional Information from the American Academy of Dermatology:
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