Tanning used to be perceived as healthy, fashionable and luxurious. However, there is no such thing as a safe tan. In fact, when your skin changes color your cells are actually becoming damaged. Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is a disease that affects a younger population and is the second most common form of cancer among teens and young adults ages 15-29. While more are beginning to understand the dangers of tanning, melanoma figures continue to climb. Learn more about tanning, melanoma and ways to talk to teens about tanning and sun safety

1. 419,000new skin cancer cases
attributed to indoor
tanning each year.
Share the cold
hard facts
Share the facts related to
melanoma & skin cancer.
Empower teens to make
the right decisions.
Lead by example
Practice safe sun habits,
wear sunscreen & enforce
a no tanning bed rule.
offer safe options
Offer them safer options –
spray tanning, sunless tan-
ning lotions if they “have to
have” a tanned look.
Find teachable
moments
Prom, spring break &
summer vacations are the
perfect time to open up a
discussion about tanning &
why it’s harmful.
Prevention
is the safest route.
If you haven’t
started
tanning,
don’t!
Any tan
is bad news.
WHAT IS A TAN?
Tanning is when your skin darkens
to protect itself from ultraviolet rays
(sun or tanning bed lamps), which
can damage your skin.
Damage caused
by UV radiation
can lead to:
Premature Skin Aging
Wrinkles
Saggy Skin
Brown Spots
Skin Cancer
3O MILLIONAmericans visit indoor tanning
salons annually, fueling a
$5 billion a year industry.
The number of skin cancer
cases due to tanning is
higher than the number
of lung cancer cases due
to smoking.
of developing
squamous cell
carcinoma
of developing
basal cell
carcinoma
Melanoma
is the most serious
form of skin cancer
However there are other types
of non-melanoma skin cancers
including basal cell carcinoma
& squamous cell carcinoma.
People of all ages,
genders & ethnicities
should avoid indoor
tanning & protect
themselves from the
sun every day.
Take
precautions
in the sun:
Limit outdoor time
between 10 am & 4 pm.
Seek shade when outdoors.
Use a broad spectrum SPF
30+ sunscreen every day.
Re-apply sunscreeen
every 2 hours.
Wear protective clothing,
including wide-brimmed hats
& UV-blocking sunglasses.