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Tanning Bed Dangers
July 8, 2010 Updated Jul 8, 2010 at 4:03 PM EDT

Despite all the warnings, indoor tanning continues to explode in popularity, especially among teens. Most kids assume that tanning beds are at least a little safer than the sun. But is that true? Turns out, they're MORE harmful.

A growing number of states now require teens to get their parents' permission before lying under the ultra violet light of a tanning bed. The reason? Doctors say tanning beds are far worse than the sun at causing skin cancer, "the major wavelength found in a tanning parlor is the most carcinogenic wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum." Indoor tanning will dramatically increase the odds of getting melanoma, the worst form of skin cancer. Experts say that "people that tan at least one time per month for at least a year have a 55 percent greater risk of getting a melanoma."

The problem is even worse for teens. They are at an even higher risk of developing cancer than someone say in their 30's who goes to the tanning bed. However, the tanning industry says moderate tanning is safe. Dermatologists however, disagree. Many say that they think tanning beds shouldn't be used at all.

According to the Academy of Dermatology, about 1 million people visit tanning salons every day. About 70- percent are white females between 16 and 49-years-old.

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