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Teens and Tanning
An Unhealthy Practice
By Kelly Burgess
Alan Geller, MPH, R.N., is an associate professor of dermatology at Boston University and a member of the American Cancer Society skin cancer advisory board. The rise in the use of tanning beds among teens disturbs him a great deal, particularly the mother/daughter tanning bed trend.
"This is not a case of a girl who is going to her junior prom, going in for one quick hit," says Geller. "These girls are going over and over throughout the year. The tanning industry is very good at creating cheap tanning packages that are very attractive to young girls."
The reality is that 7 percent of 14-year-old girls use tanning beds. At age 15, that number doubles. At 17, it doubles again, so by that age, 35 percent of girls are using tanning beds on a regular basis. Since the 14- and 15-year-olds don't drive, someone has to be taking them to these tanning parlors. More and more it seems to be Mom, who then checks into the booth next door.
Part of the problem is that what people do know about melanoma isn't nearly enough. The danger of sunburn has been well broadcast and has resulted in a phenomenal increase in the use of products to block the sun. What Geller doesn't feel has been as well explained is the fact that it's not just sunburns that are the problem, it's any tanning at all. Any change in the color of the skin means that the skin has been damaged. This damage may not be a problem when they're in their teens, but 10 years down the road it can become a life-threateing condition.
