Today, and FDA advisory panel recommended that children and teenagers should not be allowed to use tanning beds unless their parents sign the proper consent form that will warn them of all the dangers associated with tanning beds.

Currently, tanning lamps and tanning beds are listed by the FDA as Class 1 devices, meaning they are among the least likely advices to cause harm. However, the panel is pushing for a review of this classification to have them made into Class 2 devices, which will make it so that they need to carry special warning labels and adhere to stricter performance standards.

Although the panel did not actually vote on these recommendations, it is expected that they will present to the federal regulatory agency a consensus opinion shortly.

Last year, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) stated that tanning beds are “carcinogenic to humans”. It’s no secret that just like prolonged exposure to the sun, the use of tanning beds and lamps can encourage skin cancer and other types of dermatological problems.

It has also been stressed by members of the FDA that these risks are exponentially increased when use of tanning beds is started earlier on in life, whether it be during the teen years or in childhood. They have also stated that the use of tanning beds offers no credible medical benefit, so they should be regulated heavier.

The AADA (American Academy of Dermatology Association) is completely opposed to the practice of indoor tanning and even has openly supported a ban on indoor tanning equipment sales (for non-medical purposes). At the very least, they would like the FDA to step in and see to it that such equipment can not be mistaken for “safe”.

Of course, the tanning industry has a different opinion on the matter. The ITA (Indoor Tanning Association) is obviously opposed to any further regulations imposed on tanning beds. However, they have yet to make any further comment regarding the deliberations of the panel.