Skin Care

9 Secrets Tanning Salons Don't Want You to Know

Indoor tanning can cost you your healthy skin and your life, so how are these salons staying in business? Find out

by Anna Jimenez

7 of 10

They Lobby for Government Protection Even though The International Agency for Research on Cancer, an affiliate of the World Health Organization, includes the UV radiation from tanning beds as one of the most dangerous cancer-causing substances (it's right up there with cigarettes and plutonium), there is no federal regulation banning children under the age of 18 from using the beds. Some states, including California and Illinois have recently banned indoor tanning for children under 18. Other states require written parental consent for children between the ages of 14 and 18 to tan, but Carrillo says even that isn't highly enforced.

So why can children under 18 tan? "Part of the problem in this country is that politics is driven by dollars, and the tanning parlor industry has deep pockets to contribute to legislators who vote against bills that would ban minors," says Dr. Bank. There is a powerful lobby out there that has a monetary interest in letting children expose themselves to this extremely dangerous substance.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Tanning Beds Can Be a Sweaty Cesspool

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Older comments

UGH! I hate reading articles like this. I love being tan and love laying in that tanning bed for 15 minutes of relaxing me time. But I know that it is sucha bad thing to do! Why? Why are all the good things we love so bad for us?!?!

by PrincessKim81 Friday, March 22, 2013 at 10:51AM Report as inappropriate

75% of Americans have a vitamin D deficiency because of stupid articles like this! A lack of vitamin D, sunburns, spray tans and sunscreen all cause cancer. People really need to start thinking for themselves!

by Kelly_K Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 05:07PM Report as inappropriate

Very interesting to read

by Candice11 Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 02:31AM Report as inappropriate

good to know

by butterfly11 Friday, March 15, 2013 at 05:09PM Report as inappropriate

super good things to know here. next time will definitely just go for the spray tan

by treehugger1997 Friday, March 1, 2013 at 02:41PM Report as inappropriate

Well I'm glad I don't tan in any way now

by thequietnoise Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 12:20PM Report as inappropriate

Ha!!!! Most of this information is CRAP and the last slide about spray tanning proves it!! Spray tanning involves a compound called DHA which is a derivitave from sugar cane. It causes an oxidization affect with the top layer of dead skin. It does not in ANY way stimulate the production of melanin!! Research both sides before you throw your opinion in the ring! Don't be fooled into believing that Cancer societies and Dermatologists aren't being funded BIG TIME by sunscreen manufacturers! But go ahead, drive the fear while telling people it's safe to slather on chemical laden sunscreens! Double standard? I think so!

by jellybean__111 Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 04:40PM Report as inappropriate

Good info

by EricaC123 Friday, December 28, 2012 at 05:06PM Report as inappropriate

girl get out of that tanning bed

by LittleBunny Friday, December 21, 2012 at 11:24AM Report as inappropriate

Wow, what a fun read! I'm going to make my friends read this!

by Snowwhitessecret Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 12:47PM Report as inappropriate