Nearly 10 Million Americans Still Use Tanning Beds
It looks like tanning beds are finally becoming less popular, a new report reveals. The number of U.S. adults who use indoor tanning bedswhich are strongly linked to skin cancerdeclined to 4.2 in 2013 from 5.5 in 2010, according to new research published in the journal JAMA Dermatology. Even young adults are using tanning beds less than in the past. The researchers noted a drop from 11.3 of 18 to 29 year-olds using them in 2010 to a 8.6 in 2013. Still, the researchers estimate that 7.8 million women and 1.9 million men still use tanning beds, and for some age groups, there appears to be more interest. For instance, the number of female tanners dropped in all age groups and among college graduates. However, the researchers noted a 177 increase in tanning among men between ages 40 to 49 and 71 higher among men 50 and up. Though the study authors can't say for certain, it's likely the wider acknowledgement that indoor tanning beds can lead to cancer that has more Americans opting out. The hope among public health experts is that the trend will continue to lose popularity.