Concerns Grow Over Tanning Bed Use Among Youth

Nichole Sims began using tanning beds at the age of 15, driven by peer influence and social events such as homecoming dances and prom. Eight years later, she was diagnosed with melanoma, a potentially life-threatening form of skin cancer. Throughout this period, Sims noticed an increase in tanning popularity among young people online. She actively counters misinformation on social media, which promotes tanning as a mood enhancer and a beauty standard, by sharing her own experiences.

Sims said, I just feel like our generation doesn’t really look into a lot of risks. They just kind of live in the moment. Experts share her concern about the resurgence in tanning’s popularity among young adults, fueled by social media. A viral video showcasing a girl’s tanning secrets, along with bikini tan lines, amassed over 11 million views, with comments trivializing the long-term consequences.

Statistics from the American Cancer Society indicate that by 2026, over 100,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S., with about 8,500 expected deaths. Disturbingly, influencers sometimes advocate for tanning bed use, reinforcing misconceptions like, Being young in the world we live in now, being tan and pretty, it goes together. Sims reflects this sentiment.

Research on Tanning Beds and Cancer Risk

Dr. Pedram Gerami, from Northwestern University’s medical faculty, examined cellular implications for tanning bed users. The results showed users had nearly three times the melanoma risk compared to non-users. Gerami’s team compared skin samples from tanning bed users against those of non-users, focusing on melanocyte DNA sequences. Melanocytes, when exposed to UV light, might mutate, becoming cancerous. Tanning beds can emit over 10 times the UV light compared to sunlight. For tanning bed users, the mutation rate of melanocytes doubled versus those exposed solely outdoors.

Gerami noted, You only need like two or three (mutations) in the right place for it to turn into a melanoma. If you get one or two of them from the tanning bed use … it kind of just primes all these cells to be ready and that much closer to getting to melanoma.

Common Tanning Misconceptions Among Youth

According to the American Academy of Dermatology’s 2025 survey, Gen Z adults often lack information about sun protection and harbor misconceptions about tanning. One-fifth prioritized tans over skin protection, with over half believing myths such as a base tan offering sunburn protection. TikTok videos reinforce such myths, mocking expert warnings related to UV exposure risks and dismissing sunscreen benefits. Some even suggest tanning during peak UV hours, opposite expert advice.

Tanning is sort of cool again … and all the education about skin cancer and skin aging is sort of taking a backseat for the younger generation, said Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Despite recalling tanning bed usage in his youth, years post-use, Rossi developed non-melanoma skin cancer. He emphasized, There’s really no such thing as a safe tan.

Regulations and Risks of Tanning Beds

The World Health Organization classifies tanning beds as carcinogens, similar to tobacco and asbestos. Statistics from the American Academy of Dermatology show that pre-20 tanning bed usage boosts melanoma risk by 47%. California led the charge in banning minors from tanning bed use in 2012. Since then, over a dozen states enacted similar bans, with some requiring in-person parental approval.

Nonetheless, the FDA withdrew a rule in March that would prohibit U.S. minors under 18 from tanning bed use. The FDA cited concerns regarding possible unintended consequences in its memo, raising expert concerns about public confusion.

Communicating Tanning Dangers to Teens

Persuading teenagers proves challenging due to their limited capacity to assess long-term health risks. Sherry Pagoto, a University of Connecticut psychologist specializing in indoor tanning behavior, proposed strategies for effective messaging. What resonates more with them is physical appearance, because that’s why they’re doing it, Pagoto noted. Parents should focus on how UV exposure can prematurely age skin.

Another approach involves dermatological visits for UV skin photography, highlighting invisible damage. Modeling safe behavior, with accessible sunscreen at home and offering self-tanner options, discreetly encourages safer choices.

Pagoto advised patience with teen decision-making, acknowledging behavioral change needs time.