Call Today for a FREE Confidential Case Review
Toll-Free 24/7 (866) 920-0753

FDA Restricts Tanning Beds for People Under 18

May 29, 2014 — Tanning beds, sunlamps, and other ultraviolet (UV) lights must now carry a “Black Box” warning about the risk of skin cancer (melanoma) and restrictions against use by people under 18 years of age.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already warned that tanning beds can cause skin cancer, burns, premature signs of skin aging, and long-term eye damage. Although the FDA has been regulating tanning beds for over 30 years, this is the first time they have required a warning label about the risk of cancer.

According to the Safety Warning:

“Sunlamp products, which include tanning beds and tanning booths, emit UV radiation that may cause skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people who have been exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning experience a 59 percent increase in the risk of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. This risk increases each time they use a sunlamp product.”

The FDA will also re-classify UV lights as Class II, “moderate-risk” devices, which imposes new regulations and restrictions on marketing materials. Newly-approved devices must be “substantially equivalent” to existing products or face higher scrutiny of safety and effectiveness.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can rapidly metastasize to other areas of the body. Since 1975, the incidence of melanoma among white females has tripled — largely due to the growing popularity of tanning beds.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 140,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma every year, and about 9,710 people die from the disease. The risk is highest for people who were exposed to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds at a young age and/or those with a family history.

Do I have a Tanning Bed Injury Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting tanning bed induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.

Free Case Evaluation


The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.

No matter what type of case you have, you may contact us with confidence by filling out the email contact form below or calling us directly by dialing toll free 24 hrs/day (866) 920-0753.