Have you seen the new print ad generated by the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA)? The ads prominently feature the message, “Tanning Causes Melanoma — HYPE.” These ads were recently featured in the New York Times and other major newspapers around the country.
And, not surprisingly, they’ve put the dermatologic community on the defensive.
What’s Causing the Most Controversy?
The front-and-center issues portrayed in the controversial ITA ad include the following, which highlight actual wording from the advertisement:
- . . . the benefits of moderate exposure to sunlight outweigh the hypothetical risks.
- . . . exposure to all forms of ultraviolet light — both indoors and out — stimulates the natural production of vitamin D.
- It’s time to rethink sun bathing.
The ad directs readers to a newly created Web site www.SunlightScam.com to learn more. In addition, the ITA has also created the Web site www.trusttanning.com to further inform the public of its viewpoints.
Exploring the “HYPE”
This month, Skin & Aging Contributing Editor Bonnie Darves talks to people on both sides of the issue — representatives from the Indoor Tanning Association, as well as prominent dermatologists aware of the ITA’s offensive campaign.
She explores the validity of the claims made by the ITA and how they relate to present research on skin cancer and exposure to UV light. Please turn to page 28 to read this month’s cover story.
Addressing the “HYPE”
So what’s the next move in this heated controversy? The American Academy of Dermatology has launched a series of public service announcements directed at teens and young women to address the theme “Indoor Tanning Is Out.”
- The print advertisements focus on the stories of two skin cancer survivors who are in their early 20s who had used tanning beds. They urge their peers to learn the facts about indoor tanning and direct readers to the AAD’s Web site to hear other survivors’ stories.
- The television advertisements show numerous young women speaking about how indoor tanning isn’t as safe as they thought.
- The radio public service announcement portrays a contemporary folk song that was written by a 14-year-old girl about the dangers of indoor tanning.
In addition, the AAD is directing dermatologists to refer to existing AAD materials and media tool kits at www.aad.org/members/index.html for more information to share with patients on the facts about indoor tanning.
Please turn to page 28 to read this month’s cover story and gain a balanced viewpoint on both sides of this issue.
Have you seen the new print ad generated by the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA)? The ads prominently feature the message, “Tanning Causes Melanoma — HYPE.” These ads were recently featured in the New York Times and other major newspapers around the country.
And, not surprisingly, they’ve put the dermatologic community on the defensive.
What’s Causing the Most Controversy?
The front-and-center issues portrayed in the controversial ITA ad include the following, which highlight actual wording from the advertisement:
- . . . the benefits of moderate exposure to sunlight outweigh the hypothetical risks.
- . . . exposure to all forms of ultraviolet light — both indoors and out — stimulates the natural production of vitamin D.
- It’s time to rethink sun bathing.
The ad directs readers to a newly created Web site www.SunlightScam.com to learn more. In addition, the ITA has also created the Web site www.trusttanning.com to further inform the public of its viewpoints.
Exploring the “HYPE”
This month, Skin & Aging Contributing Editor Bonnie Darves talks to people on both sides of the issue — representatives from the Indoor Tanning Association, as well as prominent dermatologists aware of the ITA’s offensive campaign.
She explores the validity of the claims made by the ITA and how they relate to present research on skin cancer and exposure to UV light. Please turn to page 28 to read this month’s cover story.
Addressing the “HYPE”
So what’s the next move in this heated controversy? The American Academy of Dermatology has launched a series of public service announcements directed at teens and young women to address the theme “Indoor Tanning Is Out.”
- The print advertisements focus on the stories of two skin cancer survivors who are in their early 20s who had used tanning beds. They urge their peers to learn the facts about indoor tanning and direct readers to the AAD’s Web site to hear other survivors’ stories.
- The television advertisements show numerous young women speaking about how indoor tanning isn’t as safe as they thought.
- The radio public service announcement portrays a contemporary folk song that was written by a 14-year-old girl about the dangers of indoor tanning.
In addition, the AAD is directing dermatologists to refer to existing AAD materials and media tool kits at www.aad.org/members/index.html for more information to share with patients on the facts about indoor tanning.
Please turn to page 28 to read this month’s cover story and gain a balanced viewpoint on both sides of this issue.
Have you seen the new print ad generated by the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA)? The ads prominently feature the message, “Tanning Causes Melanoma — HYPE.” These ads were recently featured in the New York Times and other major newspapers around the country.
And, not surprisingly, they’ve put the dermatologic community on the defensive.
What’s Causing the Most Controversy?
The front-and-center issues portrayed in the controversial ITA ad include the following, which highlight actual wording from the advertisement:
- . . . the benefits of moderate exposure to sunlight outweigh the hypothetical risks.
- . . . exposure to all forms of ultraviolet light — both indoors and out — stimulates the natural production of vitamin D.
- It’s time to rethink sun bathing.
The ad directs readers to a newly created Web site www.SunlightScam.com to learn more. In addition, the ITA has also created the Web site www.trusttanning.com to further inform the public of its viewpoints.
Exploring the “HYPE”
This month, Skin & Aging Contributing Editor Bonnie Darves talks to people on both sides of the issue — representatives from the Indoor Tanning Association, as well as prominent dermatologists aware of the ITA’s offensive campaign.
She explores the validity of the claims made by the ITA and how they relate to present research on skin cancer and exposure to UV light. Please turn to page 28 to read this month’s cover story.
Addressing the “HYPE”
So what’s the next move in this heated controversy? The American Academy of Dermatology has launched a series of public service announcements directed at teens and young women to address the theme “Indoor Tanning Is Out.”
- The print advertisements focus on the stories of two skin cancer survivors who are in their early 20s who had used tanning beds. They urge their peers to learn the facts about indoor tanning and direct readers to the AAD’s Web site to hear other survivors’ stories.
- The television advertisements show numerous young women speaking about how indoor tanning isn’t as safe as they thought.
- The radio public service announcement portrays a contemporary folk song that was written by a 14-year-old girl about the dangers of indoor tanning.
In addition, the AAD is directing dermatologists to refer to existing AAD materials and media tool kits at www.aad.org/members/index.html for more information to share with patients on the facts about indoor tanning.
Please turn to page 28 to read this month’s cover story and gain a balanced viewpoint on both sides of this issue.
