A recent study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (a branch of the World Health Organization) has deemed tanning beds "potential carcinogens" ranking them among such cancer-causing colleagues as arsenic, mustard gas, tobacco, the hepatitis B virus, and chimney sweeping. This was a step up from the classification of "probably carcinogens" after multiple studies found that exposure to the ultraviolet radiation in tanning beds before age 30 increases the risk of skin cancer by 75%.

"People need to be reminded of the risks of sunbeds," said Vincent Cogliano, one of the cancer researchers. "We hope the prevailing culture will change so teens don't think they need to use sunbeds to get a tan."

As the primary users of tanning beds, people under age 30—especially women—must be made aware of the dangers. Traditionally, skin cancer is most prevalent in people over 75, but in Britain melanoma is the most-diagnosed form of cancer in women in their 20’s. Tanning bed users are eight times more likely to develop melanoma than those who do not. The American Cancer Society advises people to try bronzing or self-tanning creams instead of tanning beds.

For more information about this study visit the article from Skin Inc.