March brought a key policy reversal: the FDA withdrew a proposed rule that would have barred anyone under 18 from using tanning beds nationwide, citing concerns about possible unintended consequences.
That retreat comes as dermatologists warn indoor tanning remains highly risky—using tanning beds before age 20 raises melanoma odds by 47%, and one Northwestern study found users faced nearly triple the melanoma risk of nonusers.
Researchers say tanning beds can emit more than 10 times the sun’s UV output, while melanocyte mutation rates in users were more than double those in people exposed only to outdoor sunlight.
The concern is sharpened by a social-media-driven tanning revival among young adults: a 2025 dermatology survey found more than one-fifth prioritized getting a tan over skin protection and more than half believed myths such as a protective 'base tan.'
More than 100,000 U.S. melanoma cases and about 8,500 deaths are expected in 2026, even as California and more than a dozen other states already restrict minors’ access to tanning beds.