American Academy of Dermatology: Skin cancer & tanning beds.

ITisOUT120x240.jpgFrom the AAD: Skin Cancer Public Service Advertisements


The ADD has a campaign targeting teens to try to prevent them from using tanning beds. A Swedish study presents strong evidence that indoor tanning increases the risk of melanoma, especially when indoor tanning begins at an early age.

From the American Academy of Dermatology:
On an average day, more than one million Americans tan in tanning salons. Of the customers, 70 percent are Caucasian girls and women, aged 16 to 49 years. These numbers continue to rise each year, despite research which demonstrates the risks of indoor tanning, including premature aging such as age spots and wrinkles, and even worse, the danger of skin cancer. To help educate the public, particularly teenagers, the Academy’s 2006 – 2007 skin cancer public service advertisement (PSA) campaign speaks to teens in a language they can understand, instant messaging (IM).  Approximately 53 million American computer users – most of them teens – use IMs. Many exchange IMs more frequently than e-mail. It has a language all its own, and the Academy has developed this campaign specifically for teens who use it.

Fact Sheets

Indoor Tanning Fact Sheet 
Skin Cancer Fact Sheet (2006)
Melanoma Fact Sheet (2006)

Articles from The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

The indoor UV tanning industry: A review of skin cancer risk, claims, and regulation 
Do adolescent tanners exhibit dependency?
Sunlight, tanning booths and vitamin D

Articles from other scientific, peer-reviewed journals

Pediatrics

Use of sunscreen, sunburning rates, and tanning bed use among more than 10,000 US children and adolescents

Pamphlets

The Darker Side of Tanning
Ultraviolet Index 
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Melanoma

More information on skin cancer

SkinCancerNet