The use of tanning salons is a common practice among teenagers,
especially females. In a national survey, 24% of non-Hispanic
white teenagers 13 to 19 years of age used a tanning salon at
least once. The UVR radiation produced by some tanning units can
be 10 to 15 times higher than the midday sun. The tan that
occurs represents a protective response to the harmful rays of
the sun. Skin damage occurs whether a tan comes from the sun
itself or from artificial light from a tanning salon. Risk of
Skin Cancer Tanning in the tanning salon raises the risk of
developing skin cancer. Rates of skin cancer - including
melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer - continue to
rise, even in young people. Where We Stand Tanning salons are
not safe and should not be used by teenagers or others. Along
with the World Health Organization, the American Medical
Association, and the American Academy of Dermatology, the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports legislation
prohibiting access to tanning salons or use of arti