(September 21, 2009 - Insidermedicine)

Young American teenagers, even fair ones, are frequently able to use indoor tanning beds for durations far longer than those deemed by experts to be safe, according to research published in the latest issue of the Archives of Dermatology.

Here is some information about the health effects of indoor tanning beds:

•    Their use has been linked with an increased risk for skin cancer, including the potentially deadly malignant melanoma

•    Using them before age 35 may increase the risk of developing melanoma by as much as 75%

•    Rates of skin cancer have increased among young women in parts of the world where tanning beds are popular among this group

Researchers from San Diego State University and the University of California at San Diego telephoned over 3,500 tanning facilities across the United States to find out whether a 15-year-old, fair skinned girl who had never used a tanning bed before could use their facilities. The researchers specifically asked whether parental consent would be necessary and whether parents would need to accompany the teen to her appointments.

Overall, 87% of the facilities would require a parent's consent for the teen to use their facilities, while 14% would require that a parent accompany the teen. Only 5% of the facilities would refuse the potential customer, based on her age. A full 71% of the tanning salons would allow the girl to tan every day during her first week, which is far more than the three of fewer sessions recommended by experts. State laws regarding access to tanning beds among youths increased the chances that the tanning salons would insist upon parental consent or accompaniment to the appointment.

Today's research suggests that state laws banning access to tanning beds for youths could help protect young women from unhealthy exposure and subsequently help reduce their risk of skin cancer.