SPRINGFIELD, Mo -- Are tanning salons giving customers the whole truth when it comes to their safety? According to a new congressional report, maybe not.
Investigators representing themselves as fair-skinned teenage girls surveyed some 300 tanning salons nationwide and found many salons blatantly lied about health risks or hid the risks altogether.
"I probably started tanning when I was 15, freshmen in high school." Jessica Jenkins has been tanning for nearly eight years. "Let's you get you in there," she said, "how much do you want to sign up for?"
The health risks involved never crossed her mind when she was younger, and she said she wasn't reminded by her tanning salon either. "I don't think the number one thing on their brain when an young, 16 year old girl comes in saying 'I want a tanning package' is to outline the risks."
A new congressional report says she isn't alone. It says salons across the country deny known risks of indoor tanning to teenagers.
The report finds that: (Read the full report)
• Nearly all of the salons denied the known risks of tanning. Ninety percent of the salons stated that indoor tanning did not pose a health risk, while over half of the salons denied that indoor tanning would increase the risk of skin cancer.
• Nearly 80% of the salons asserted that indoor tanning would be beneficial to the health of a fair-skinned teenage girl. Several salons asserted that indoor tanning would prevent cancer.
• Tanning salons fail to follow FDA recommendations on tanning frequency. Three-quarters of salons allow customers to tan daily, despite FDA recommendations that indoor tanning be limited to no more than three visits in the first week.
• Salons used many approaches to downplay the health risks of indoor tanning. Salons stated that young people are not at risk for developing skin cancer; that rising rates of skin cancer are linked to increased use of sunscreen; that government regulators had certified the safety of indoor tanning; and that "it's got to be safe, or else they wouldn't let us do it." Salons also frequently referred the investigators to industry websites that downplay indoor tanning's health risks and tout the practice's alleged health benefits.
• Tanning salons target teenage girls in their advertisements. Print and online advertising to teenage and college-aged girls frequently offers student discounts and "prom," "homecoming," and "back-to-school" specials.
"There is no safe ultraviolet light. To get a tan you have to damage your skin and your DNA. That's what sets you up for those skin cancers." Dermatologist Jenifer Insley says melanoma is the number two diagnosed cancer for 15 to 24 year olds.
"That healthy tan that you liked so much when you were 14 has created that skin that you don't love when you are 45," Dr. Insley said.
Eileen McLaughlin owns Beau Soleil Salon in Nixa.
"What we do here is we promote healthy tanning. If you start looking this color we're going to cut you off," she said. She says the salons in the report are giving salons like hers a bad name.
"There are some bad salons, there are good salons. Just like any other business," she said. She takes precautions when it comes to not only her younger customers but all customers.
"We do care about each and every person that comes through our door."
It's a trend that congressional leaders would like to see more of.
"At least be smart about it or at least not pretend it's not dangerous," Dr. Insley said.
"Maybe have a pamphlet or something information to give new tanners to say, 'hey, I want you to be fully aware of the risks that you are putting yourself through,'" Jenkins said.
It is not known if any area salons were visited during the investigation process of the report. However, KY3 reached out to several area tanning salons for this story. Below are statements provided by the companies.
Todd Layton--The Tan Company:
At The Tan Company we promote tanning in moderation without over exposure. Each of our clients is required to sign a release of liability letting them know about the danger of ultraviolet radiation. This release also points out the importance of eyewear and the failure to use may result in severe burns or long-term injury to the eyes. As for our younger tanners, no one under the age of 14 is allowed to tan and from 14-17 parental consent is required. Each of our tanning consultants are NTTI (National Tanning Training Institute) certified and we offer 5 levels of tanning so we may customize a tanning regiment based off your skin type. For those individuals who do not wish or prefer a cosmetic tan we also offer the UV free Mystic Tan.
Alison Jasper--Hawaiian Sun, Inc:
Hawaiian Sun, Inc is a Smart Tan Certified salon. Each one of our staff members receive continuous training thru the smart tan association. We hold true to our high standards of tanning education in usage, safety, exposure, etc.
Essentially, this was a predisposed report. Wasn't a random survey. Fished for the answers, and no one actually WENT to a tanning salon. We stand by the fact that Smart Tan and it's members represent a proper and balanced message about the risks of UV overexposure while respecting the FACT that the benefits of UV light and vitamin D are getting more and more attention.
The congressional report itself lies. It says that sunbeds do not make vitamin D. Of course they do. They were first invented in Europe FOR that reason. While tanning is promoted as a cosmetic activity, so many of our clients are referred by doctors and come to us for the Vitamin D production along with many other benefits.
