It is estimated that 2.3 million teenagers visit tanning salons each year. In the spring, tanning salons are often filled with high school students planning for prom season and college students preparing for spring break, spring formals, and summer vacations. However, there is strong evidence of the link between indoor tanning bed use and increased risk of melanoma.
Indoor tanning exposes the user to UV radiation, and claims that indoor tanning is somehow safer than outdoor tanning are unsubstantiated. Melanoma is now the most common form of cancer in adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer in teenagers and young adults ages 15-29. We strongly advise our patients against use of indoor tanning beds.
For those that feel a need for bronzed skin, we recommend spray tanning which does not have the risks of UV radiation.