Indoor Tanning Increases Risk of Cancer in Teens

Prom time with off-the shoulder and spaghetti-strap dresses, and summer vacation with bikinis and shorts—a time when teens think about tans, particularly girls. Teenagers are especially at risk for problems with sun exposure and future skin cancer, according to Dr. Amy Adams, M.D., Ph.D., a dermatologist at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF).

Teens are starting to get lots of sun at an earlier age, and they don’t recognize this can cause cancer and sun damage.  This increasingly includes indoor tanning.

“Teenage girls are at tremendous risk of skin cancer from indoor tanning,” says Dr. Adams. “There are several important studies that have shown that out of the millions of people that do indoor tanning, three-fourths of them are teenage girls. These young girls are at a huge risk to get basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, which are some of the most common skin cancers, and also melanoma, which is one of the deadliest skin cancers.”

Dr. Adams says research has also shown that indoor tanning activity is particularly high among Caucasian girls, who tan in their teenage years through their 20s.

“Our review of seven studies showed a 75 percent increase in melanoma in people who are exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning devices,” explains Dr. Adams. “So in addition to protecting their skin from natural sun, we strongly recommend that people—especially teens—avoid the dangerous radiation that comes with indoor tanning.”

Dr. Adams says teenagers are interested in saving time and doing things they think will improve their appearance. “Indoor tanning can be alluring to teens, because it is secretive and only takes a few minutes,” she says. “I strongly encourage teens to not tan, whether it’s by the sun or an indoor tanning device. Instead, get a spray-on tan, but please do not tan. It’s too dangerous for you in causing potential skin cancer and skin aging.”  

Take a look at Dr. Adams’ short video message to teens.