Golden Aging

Ohio legislators want to strengthen the restrictions on minors in tanning beds. Why? Well here’s some quick stats:

Long-term exposure to artificial sources of ultraviolet rays from uv bulbs in tanning beds (or to the sun’s natural rays) increases both men and women’s risk of developing skin cancer. In addition, exposure to tanning salon rays increases damage caused by sunlight because ultraviolet light actually thins the skin, making it less able to heal. Another fact is that UVA rays that are emitted from the Ultraviolet A light sources in tanning salons are two to three times more powerful than the UVA rays which occur naturally from the sun. Women, who use tanning beds more than once every 30 days, are 55 percent more likely to develop malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, more than one million people are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer in the United States every year. In fact, non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the country. Forty to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have this form of skin cancer at least once. These are surprising statistics for a cancer that can, for the most part, be prevented.

The proposed bill would require minors to have a doctor’s note to go to a tanning booth.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, nearly 70% of people going under these UV bulbs are women ages 16-29. In Ohio, under the 2009 guidelines, minors currently need to have parental consent to use a tanning bed.

But lawmakers know they want to incorporate legislation that requires a doctor's note, for health reasons now.This law does not apply to teens buying uv bulbs from the store for their parents ionic air purifier, just to tanning.

"There are certain medical conditions where the UV light is beneficial, for example psoriasis, having said that, I personally would not. I'd have them see a dermatologist because it needs to be a measured dose that can be controlled," said Richard Cain, M.D., Family Practice Doctor.

Dr. Cain says children are more susceptible to toxins in your system than adults.

This is not the first time Ohio's legislature has tried to pass the bill.

Last year it failed as commerce committee legislation.

This time it is a health bill & has a better chance of making it.

Do you think that it’s fair that teens would require a doctors note or is government overstepping it’s boundaries?