TANNING BEDS : Invitation to skin cancer

As a Florida plastic surgeon, I am very concerned with skin cancer. 

It seems the explosive rise in skin cancer can be directly related to the popularity of tanning salons.  These tanning salons came into vogue in the late 70’s.  

According to the latest statistics, patients who tan indoors are 74% more likely to develop melanoma, 2 ½ times more likely to develop squamous cell and 1 ½ more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma.  

Who are these “tanners”?  It seems that over 70% of them are girls and women aged 16-29.