Are tanning beds dangerous?

In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed tanning beds in its highest category of sources carcinogenic to humans. In the United States, federal health experts have gathered to discuss new FDA regulations regarding tanning beds. They have taken the warning by WHO very seriously.
Their recommendation is to ban the use of tanning beds for teenagers under the age of 18 unless they get parental consent.

The concern is the continued exposure to UV radiation, especially for young people. According to the melanoma research foundation, exposure to UV radiation from tanning beds before the age of 35 increases an individual’s risk of developing melanoma by 75%. Most forms of melanoma are caused by cell mutation due to UV radiation exposure.

For the past 20 years, the FDA has regulated tanning beds as Class I medical devices.  This meant that there were few regulations overseeing this industry.  Because more than 2 million people suffer from skin cancer, tanning salons have come under increased scrutiny. For this reason, federal health experts are insisting on new restrictions designed to protect teenagers from the cancer-causing risks of tanning beds.