My 17-year-old daughter wants to go tanning at a tanning salon. She says all her friends are doing it. Is this safe? – Anjali Even though many teens are into tanning, it's best for them to stay out of tanning salons and tanning beds. Tanning at a salon is not safer than tanning in the sun. The UV rays that cause the tan in a salon are involved in the development of skin damage that can lead to skin cancer. These UV rays also cause premature wrinkling of the skin. It's also important to be cautious about airbrush or spray-on tans. The FDA hasn't approved DHA (the main ingredient in self-tanner) for use internally or on mucous membranes (like the lips). Spray tans may have unknown health risks because people can breathe in the spray, or the tanner may end up on their lips or eye area. If your daughter is set on getting a few shades darker, suggest buying a sunless tanner (available in any drugstore) to apply at home. Also, make sure she applies plenty of sunscreen before hitting the beach or spending time outdoors. Back to Articles Related Articles First Aid: Sunburn You can treat mild sunburn at home. But severe sunburn needs medical attention. Here's what to do. Read More How to Be Safe When You're in the Sun It's fun to be outside on a hot, sunny day. But too much sun and heat can make you feel terrible. Find out how to stay safe in this article for kids. Read More Can Acne Scars Be Removed? Scars from acne can seem like double punishment - first you had to suffer through the pimples, now you have marks to remind you. Is there anything you can do? Read More Tips for Taking Care of Your Skin Sometimes it may seem like your skin is impossible to manage, especially when you find a huge zit on your nose or a cold sore at the corner of your mouth. Here are ways to prevent and treat common skin problems. Read More Sun Safety By teaching kids how to enjoy fun in the sun safely, parents can reduce their risk for developing skin cancer. Read More Melanoma Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Find out how to lower your family's risk of getting melanoma and how doctors treat it. Read More Melanoma Melanoma is different from other skin cancers because it can spread if it's not caught early. Find out how to lower your risk of getting melanoma and how doctors treat it. Read More Indoor Tanning Tanning beds are no safer than the sun -- and may be even more dangerous. Read this article to get the details, and to find out what is safe when it comes to getting that golden glow. Read More Tanning The sun can do a lot more than just give you a warm summer glow. Get the facts on sun and skin damage - and what you can do to protect yourself and still look tan. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.