Tanning machines are dangerous for teens

It does seem logical that a parental permission law would be best when it comes to teen tanning. However, you are making assumptions that are not correct. You are assuming that parents have the facts about the dangers of tanning bed use, but they don't. If they did, there would be no minors using tanning beds, but that is sadly not the case.

Many young tanners actually get started by going tanning with their moms. Many teens just forge their mom's signature on the permission forms so they can join their friends frying their skin.

The indoor tanning industry doesn't help matters either because they tell teens and their parents lies about the so-called benefits of using tanning beds, the vitamin D that they need, the base tan that will protect their skin from the sun's rays, the help against acne, and on and on and on.

None of it is true because there are no health benefits from tanning beds.

How do I know this? Because I was one of the moms looking for information before letting my daughter use tanning beds. I heard all the lies and they proved to be deadly.

My daughter Jaime tanned throughout high school and college until she was diagnosed with melanoma when she turned 20. She died at 29. Jaime would tell you that no tan is worth dying for and I would tell you that no note from mom or dad makes those tanning beds any less dangerous.

Iowa needs to protect their youth from using these machines with no exceptions.

Please rethink your position on this issue. It is a matter of life and death.

Donna Regen

Allen, Texas