{"id":112,"date":"2016-01-29T15:26:54","date_gmt":"2016-01-29T15:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/radiological-health\/?page_id=112"},"modified":"2025-09-05T17:45:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T17:45:07","slug":"tanning-consumer-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/radiological-health\/radiological-health\/tanning-and-tanning-beds\/tanning-consumer-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Tanning – Consumer Information"},"content":{"rendered":"

Public health experts and medical professionals have issued warnings about the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps.\u00a0 Two types of ultraviolet radiation are Ultra\u00adviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB).\u00a0 UVB has long been associated with sunburn while UVA has been recognized as a deeper penetrating radiation.\u00a0 For this reason, tanning bed and sunlamp manufacturers have designed lamps with different proportions of UVA and UVB.\u00a0 The US Food and Drug Administration regulates the manufacture of tanning beds and sun lamps.\u00a0 The FDA specifies the amount of time on the timer for particular lamps.\u00a0 Users of tanning beds should not ignore the timer or exceed the time for their skin type.\u00a0 More information is available on the FDA’s Tanning web page and <\/a>their consumer information page at Indoor Tanning: The Risk of Ultraviolet Rays<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Although it’s been known for some time that too much UV radiation can be harmful, new information may now make these warnings even more important.\u00a0 Some scientists have suggested that there may be an association between UVA radiation and malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.\u00a0 In addition to the possibility of skin burns and skin cancer that could occur from excessive tanning, consumers should be aware that certain medications may cause one to become over sensitive to light and result in death.\u00a0 See FDA’s publication entitled “Medications that Increase Sensitivity to Light: A 1990 Listing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)<\/a> and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)<\/a> share responsibilities in the regulation of sunlamps and tanning devices.\u00a0 The FDA enforces regulations that deal with labels on the devices; the FTC investigates false, misleading, and deceptive advertising claims about the devices. When these agencies determine that device labels don\u2019t comply with the regulations or that advertisements are not truthful, they may take corrective action.\u00a0 The FDA also can remove products from the marketplace.<\/p>\n

Some of the most common questions that we receive from consumers are:<\/h3>\n

Question:<\/strong> Is there a law that prohibits my child using a tanning bed without my knowledge?<\/p>\n

Answer:<\/strong> Effective July 1, 2007, the owner or his designee shall obtain, every six months, the signature of the parent or legal guardian of a prospective customer who is under the age of 15 and is not emancipated under Virginia law.\u00a0 With respect to minors 15 and older, the tanning law mentions informed consent regarding contract for use of the facility.\u00a0 In the case where there is a contract with a minor without the parent\/guardian’s consent, the contract usually is not valid.\u00a0 Check with your lawyer. On a related issue, there is a law regarding minors and body piercing\/tattooing, see State Code \u00a7 18.2-371.3. Tattooing or body piercing of minors<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Question:<\/strong> I am uncomfortable using a tanning bed after someone else.\u00a0 Suppose they have a communicable disease?<\/p>\n

Answer:<\/strong> The tanning law only addresses sanitization of protective eye wear.\u00a0 Most tanning facilities have a sanitizer that the consumer may use if they have any doubts about the cleanliness of the tanning bed after another customer’s use.\u00a0 Commonly available cleaners\/sanitizers should kill any bacteria from previous use.\u00a0 Speak to the facility’s operator if you have any concerns regarding the cleanliness of the facility’s equipment. An operator must be available at all times during the operation of the tanning bed.<\/p>\n

Question:<\/strong> I am uncomfortable using a tanning bed after some one tanned in the nude.\u00a0 Is their a prohibition on tanning in the nude?<\/p>\n

Answer:<\/strong> There is no prohibition on tanning in the nude. The law assumes the consumer is assured of privacy while using a tanning bed or booth.\u00a0 Consumers of tanning facilities are specifically protected\u00a0 by law from:\u00a0 peeping toms (\u00a7 18.2-130. Peeping or spying into dwelling or enclosure.)<\/a>, or illegal vide taping (\u00a7 18.2-386.1. Unlawful filming, videotaping or photographing of another; penalty.)<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Office of Radiological Health | 109 Governor Street | Richmond, VA 23219<\/p>\n

Telephone (804) 864-8150<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Public health experts and medical professionals have issued warnings about the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps.\u00a0 Two types of ultraviolet radiation are Ultra\u00adviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB).\u00a0 UVB has long been associated with sunburn while UVA has been recognized as a deeper penetrating radiation.\u00a0 For […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"parent":110,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nTanning - Consumer Information - Radiological Health<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/radiological-health\/radiological-health\/tanning-and-tanning-beds\/tanning-consumer-information\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Tanning - 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