LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — A new report shows indoor tanning decreased among high school girls between 2009 and 2011. But researchers say it’s still common. One out of five high school girls used a tanning bed in 2011. Tanning was most common in 18-year-olds with close to a third of them tanning.
Doctors say you shouldn’t do it. Research shows tanning bed use greatly boosts the chances of common skin cancers and melanoma, the most dangerous form of the disease. Cases of both are increasing in the United States.
The study in JAMA Pediatrics also found that high school girls and boys who indoor tan are more likely to engage in other risky behaviors. Those include binge drinking, unhealthy dieting and having sex. Girls are also more likely to use illegal drugs while boys are more likely to use steroids, smoke and attempt suicide.
“We know that any teens that participate in any type of risky behavior oftentimes participate in multiple different risky behaviors, so it’s not overly surprising to me that this study does demonstrate that,” said Dr. Tom Lovinger, a family practice doctor at Saint Luke’s East.
He emphasizes there are alternatives to tanning beds.
“Whether these be different spray-on tans which still need some research or whether these be creams that help with that,” he said.
He said parents should talk with their teens about the dangers of tanning bed use or have their doctor talk with them about it.
Lawmakers in Missouri are considering legislation that would require minors to have parental consent before going to indoor tanning facilities. In Kansas, a bill would require a minor to have consent from a doctor.
