Why the FDA Wants to Ban Tanning Beds for Minors


The skin damage caused by tanning beds doesn’t disappear like a Snapchat…that’s why the Food and Drug Administration wants to ban minors from using them.

Exposure to ultraviolet light can build up over time. And research shows that UV exposure from artificial sources is more damaging and more likely to cause melanoma–the most dangerous skin cancer–when started at young ages.

To reduce the risk of skin cancer, the FDA proposed a ban that would prevent people from using them before their 18th birthday. On Monday, the proposal was opened for a 90-day public comment period.

“There haven’t been too many steps the FDA has taken that are probably as important as this one. This really has the potential for saving a lot of lives,” said Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research. “Of course, if it’s effective it’ll have a huge impact on the business.” […]

Read the full article here.