For those who go to tanning beds to avoid the winter blues, build a base for vacation, or just like their skin a darker color should be warned that any amount of tanning under UV bulbs exposes you to getting cancer. However, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) says that current warnings on tanning beds are arguably inadequate.
18-year old Katie Donnar of Illinois started tanning in the sixth grade for cheerleading. By high school she had her own bed and was tanning regularly throughout the week. By 17 she discovered melanoma on her leg that was surgically removed, leaving a 3 inch long scar. She says had she known the serious consequences of her tanning, she would have made different choices.
We have heard time and time again, the sun and UV rays damage your skin – yet, it is a good source of Vitamin D and mood enhancement.
Moreover, many tanning salons pitch their beds as “safe” or “less damaging than the sun.”
Bottomline, anything with moderation may be OK. But consumers should be adequately warned of serious consequences. Especially when informed by tanning bed salon employees that the bed is “safe” and no outside SPFs are allowed in the bed.
[...] follow-up to Monday’s blog post regarding tanning bed risks and inadequate warnings, comes today’s timely story regarding [...]
I think that the last thing we need is more regulation. The word is getting out. Smoking is bad, stay away from tanning beds, don’t sunbathe for extended periods, drink only in moderation. If more legislation is passed, I fear of freedom of choice may be infringed upon. To tan or not to tan…