Tanning Under 18
By: Nate Potter
Updated: March 26, 2010
WASHINGTON - Federal health officials are considering stricter regulations on indoor tanning.
An FDA advisory panel discussed the issue on Thursday for about10 hours. Members proposed banning indoor tanning for anyone under the age of 18, or at least requiring parents to sign a consent form that warns of the dangers of tanning.
Dermatologists are particularly alarmed about the impact of indoor tanning on young women. They say women are more likely to use tanning beds than men.
Doctors said that using tanning beds before the age of 35 increases the risk of Melanoma by 75%. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. It's also the most common form of cancer for young adults ages 25 to 29. It's the second most common form of cancer for people ages 15 to 29.
Nearly 69,000 new cases of Melanoma were diagnosed in 2008, and more than 8,600 people died from Melanoma in 2008.
Dermatologists suggested completely banning indoor tanning devices.
It's up to the FDA on whether or not to take the advisory panel's advice, but it usually does.
