Now that spring is not far, millions of individuals have been turning to tanning beds to look great. However, the decision to look bronzed should be reconsidered as the FDA has again sent a warning regarding risks of sun lamps and skin cancer. All consumers should recognize that there is no such thing as a harmless tan.

The world health organization last summer listed tanning beds as a definitive cause of skin cancer based on the exponential rises in melanoma- the deadliest skin cancer. Even though tanning beds do come with a warning, the FDA now feels that these labels are not visible and do not express the full risk to young people.

So now the FDA is about to start stricter tanning bed regulation with stiffer warnings. The FDA claims that people use tanning beds more frequently than is needed and the industry has not done anything to warn consumers about cancer risks.

There are many types of skin cancer but melanoma is the most lethal. Last year alone there were close to 70,000 cases of which 12 percent of people died. Fair skinned individuals are at very high risk and melanomas is intimately connected to sunburns at young age.

Officials from the national cancer institute recommend that consumers seek natural ways to tan rather than becoming “indoor cave dwellers.”

If you want to tan, enjoy the early morning (7 -10 am) and late afternoon (4-6 pm) sun. As always, wear a sun screen half an hour before you venture out.