Ask the Doctor: Teens & tanning booths

22News spoke with Pediatrician Dr. Michael Posner about the dangers of tanning booths.

1.) You said you wanted to talk about tanning salons. Isn’t everyone as tan as they want to be in September?

Response: Obviously most of the tan we see now is from exposure to outdoor sun. Everyone has heard about the risks of too much sun exposure, but many folks wrongly believe that tanning under a sun lamp is safe. The light waves that tan a teen in a tanning booth contain the same ultraviolet radiation or UV that is contained in natural sunlight. These are the same rays that cause skin cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) just a month ago concluded that indoor tanning was as risky as exposure to the natural sun. Malignant melanoma, the deadliest of skin cancers, is increasing in incidence faster than any other skin cancer, and is now diagnosed in the US at over 60,000 cases annually, and about 8000 deaths in 2008. The WHO has also compiled research showing that the use of tanning beds prior to the age of 30 years is associated with 75% increase in risk of melanoma.

2.) Are teens heavy users of tanning booths?

Response:  In one research study in 2002, more than 25% of all white female teens had used tanning booths three or more times and of those who ever used a tanning booth, 50% had used them 10 or more times. Male teens use tanning booths much less. Teens who tan well use tanning booths more than those who do not. Teens who artificially tan are more heavily represented in the Mid West and in the South. The Southern teens apparently find the booths more comfortable than the local strong outdoor sun exposure. Here teens use the salons to get ready for proms, to “prepare” their skins for summer exposure and to maintain the glow during the winter.

3.)What is a pediatrician or a parent to do?

Response: We need to talk to our teens about the potential dangers of using indoor tanning. Massachusetts already has laws that require all children 14 to18 years of age to have a note signed by a parent approving indoor tanning. So, don’t sign. Parents might want to ask our older kids just how they are so tan in February. The grandparents of my generation should be telling our grandchildren just why we have to visit our own doctors so often to get our skins checked out. It’s going to be hard to convince teens that being pale is cool, but tans-in- a- bottle are said to be getting better, and clearly much safer.

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