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New York State Attorney General The State Capitol Albany, New York 12224 1-[PHONE REDACTED] www.ag.ny.gov NEW YORK STATE OFFICE AT TORNE Y GENERAL of the Indoor Tanning: Know the Risks, Know the Facts New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman Dear New Yorkers: To many people, indoor tan- ning seems like a harmless activity. It’s not. Each ses- sion increases your risk of skin cancer and contributes to pre- mature aging, eye damage, al- lergic reactions and more. There are many and misconceptions concerning the safety of “tanning,” many of them perpetrated by the indoor tanning sa- lon industry. If you engage in indoor tanning or are thinking about it, it’s important to make sure you know the significant associated health risks. This brochure outlines the facts about indoor tan- ning to help you make more informed decisions about taking these risks. We have also provided links to more information. It’s important to be well informed about all consum- er and health decisions. If you would like to know more about these or any other issues, please go to our website: www.ag.ny.gov. Sincerely, Eric T. Schneiderman Resources Office of the Attorney General [PHONE REDACTED] www.ag.ny.gov If you would like to know more about the health and safety risks of indoor tanning, please check some of these sources. New York State Department of Health www.health.ny.gov www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/tanning/ U.S. Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov www.fda.gov/radiation-emittingproducts/radiationemit- tingproductsandprocedures/tanning/default.htm American Academy of Dermatology www.aad.org/ ing-skin-cancer/dangers-of-indoor-tanning Centers for Disease Control & Prevention www.cdc.gov Is Indoor Tanning Safe? http://www.cdc.gov/can- cer/skin/basic_info/indoor_tanning.htm The following leading national organizations recognize the high cancer risk associated with indoor tanning: American Academy of Dermatology American Academy of Ophthalmology American Academy of Pediatrics American Cancer Society American Medical Association Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ---PAGE BREAK--- Indoor Tanning: Know The Risks Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of ener- gy from natural or artificial sunlight. Excess UV radiation can damage the DNA in your skin and increase the production of the skin pigment melanin, which causes your skin to change color. Here are some of the serious, identified risks: Melanoma skin cancer — Using tanning • beds before age 35 can result in an esti- mated 59% greater risk of developing this sometimes deadly skin cancer. Melanoma is a common cancer in young people. The World Health Organization has placed • indoor tanning in its highest cancer risk category, “carcinogenic to humans,” the same category as tobacco; Premature aging (“photoaging”) can cause • the skin to look leathery and wrinkled, and can result in dark spots forming on the skin; Burns and injury to the skin and eyes; • Allergic reactions; • Immune suppression. • Additional factors can increase these risks: Light complexions that burn easily; • Family member who has had skin cancer; • Teenagers and younger — indoor tanning • at young ages increases risk later in life; Immune deficiencies, chronic diseases, • and certain medications may make you more sensitive to UV radiation. “Indoor tanning is less dangerous” Some people argue that indoor tanning is less dangerous than outdoor tanning because the intensity of the light and the time spent tan- ning are controlled. The truth is: UV output of tanning devices is much great- • er — up to 15 times greater — than natural sunlight and the bulbs are very close to your skin; Not all tanning devices emit the same amount • of UV radiation, so exposure is inconsistent and not as controlled as advertised; Tanning salon operators are not typically • health care professionals and lack the train- ing and knowledge associated with UV over exposure. In fact, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,800 injuries requiring visits to the emer- gency room are attributed to UV radiation from tanning beds each year. “Indoor tanning is a safe way to acquire vitamin Scientific studies have proven that most people receive enough vitamin D from food and natu- ral sunlight. If additional vitamin D is needed, a supplement containing vitamin D corrects this deficiency safely, without the UV expo- sure risk associated with cancer. “A prevacation — or ‘base’ — tan protects you from getting a sunburn.” The truth is that indoor tans provide a sun pro- tection factor (SPF) of 3, which is way below the generally recommended 30 SPF to protect against sunburns. So, not only are prevacation tanners exposed to UV radiation at indoor tan- ning salons prior to their trip, they also are not protected from sunburns while they are vaca- tioning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administra- tion has found no evidence that getting a “base tan” reduces the risk of skin cancer. Take Precautions if Taking the Risk People who choose to expose themselves to UV radiation from indoor tanning and ignore the health warnings associated with this dan- gerous activity should take certain safety pre- cautions, including: Wear FDA-certified protective goggles • provided at no charge by the tanning sa- lon, making sure they fit snugly and are not cracked; Follow manufacturer-recommended expo- • sure times for your skin type (and do not exceed your prescribed time limit); Seek immediate medical attention for se- • vere burns, allergic reactions and unusual skin lesions or sores. FALSE FALSE FALSE Tanning and Minors: The Law Teenage girls and young women are often tar- geted by advertising that promotes indoor tan- ning as safe. Research clearly demonstrates that the earlier an individual indoor tans, the greater the risk for skin cancer in later years. The American Academy of Pediatrics even states, “Tanning salons are not safe and should not be used by teenagers or others.” New York State Public Health Law prohibits persons under age seventeen from using UV tan- ning devices. It also requires that persons seven- teen years of age have a parent or legal guardian sign a consent form before using them. Those eighteen or older must provide a driver’s license or other government or school issued photo iden- tification before using UV radiation devices. Know the Facts : Dispelling and Misconceptions