The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that tanning beds should not be used by anyone under the age of 18 to reduce the risk of skin cancer acquired from the radiation emitted by these devices.
The federal agency now requires manufacturers of tanning beds and sun lamps to include warning labels that state the devices are not safe to use for those below 18 years old. Health experts previously ruled that the skin of younger people were more vulnerable to skin cancer caused by radiation. The manufacturers must also include information about skin cancer on the printed materials of their products before the FDA can approve them for marketing.
The government started monitoring the use of these devices 30 years ago and found a connection between increasing rates of melanoma -the deadliest form and second most common form of cancer - acquired by those aged between 15 and 29.
"The FDA has taken an important step today to address the risk to public health from sunlamp products," Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in a news release. "Repeated UV exposure from sunlamp products poses a risk of skin cancer for all users - but the highest risk for skin cancer is in young persons under the age of 18 and people with a family history of skin cancer."
The agency expected manufacturers to include the warning "Persons repeatedly exposed to UV radiation should be regularly evaluated for skin cancer" on their labels.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, commended the agency for making the call.
"I support this legislation as it will help protect the health of youth, who may feel invincible, but in reality are at the most risk because they are not properly protecting their skin from the harmful effects of UV light," he said to Healthday News.
