Indoor tanning use among U.S. youth--can skin health behaviors be legislated?

摘要

The known disadvantages of indoor tanning (IT) include burns to skin and eyes, altered immune system function, photo-aging, photo-medication reactions, and increased risk of skin cancer. In a recent seven-study meta-analysis of IT usage in women under 35 years of age, a significantly increased risk ofmelanomawas demonstrated to be associated with the frequency and age of initiation of IT. Prior studies also showed that 2% to 11% of boys and 12% to 37% of girls used IT, which was also correlated with outdoor tanning, lack of sunscreen use, and social factors such as friends who tan and parents who provide permission to use IT facilities.