A new survey finds that the saying “like mother, like daughter” applies when it comes to indoor tanning habits. Those who tanned indoors were more than four times as likely to report that their moms use tanning beds compared to those who were not indoor tanners, according to the survey by the American Academy of Dermatology.
The survey also found that 65 percent of indoor tanners said they had a family member who used a tanning bed, compared to 28 percent of their non-indoor tanning peers.
“Mothers who tan indoors are not only putting themselves at risk for skin cancer, but they also may be putting their daughters at risk,” said dermatologist Dr. Ellen S. Marmur, associate professor of dermatology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. “The survey shows how influential mothers can be on their daughters’ behavior, and that is why it’s critical for mothers to set a good example by not tanning.”
Over 3,800 white females ages 14 to 22 participated by answering an online survey about their tanning knowledge, attitudes and behavior. It found the majority of indoor tanners (94 percent) said that their parents were aware that they used tanning beds.
The survey indicated that some teens and young women feel pressured to be tan by their peers. Those who said they used tanning beds in the past year were nearly twice as likely to indicate feeling peer pressure to be tan (49 percent) compared to respondents who were not using tanning beds (28 percent).
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