FDA’s Indoor Tanning Webinar – Nothing’s New Under the Sun

Did any of you sit through Wednesday’s FDA-sponsored event, “Webinar on Indoor Tanning: Risks of UV Radiation”? With such an optimistic title, who wouldn't? Hosted by FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), the half-hour event was part of a multi-topic webinar series the FDA launched this year in attempt to promote greater transparency. Frankly, the only thing that was transparent to me was the agency’s position against the industry.

Speakers Varsha Savalia, M.P.H., FDA tanning products compliance officer from CDRH's Division of Mammography Quality and Radiation Programs; and Sharon Miller, M.S.E.E., FDA ultraviolet radiation expert, CDRH's Division of Mammography Quality and Radiation Programs, presented a basic UV overview, exposure risks and ways to allegedly minimize them, statistics, and info on the FDA’s regulatory role.

No new information (research or otherwise) was provided. The speakers seemed very scripted, voicing concern through sweeping generalizations such as: “Many salons allow teenagers to tan more than twice as often as the FDA’s recommendation.” (On their slide presentation, they cited that nearly 90 percent of salons do this.) As a professional salon owner, that statement would really offend me, considering how diligently our industry works to promote responsible tanning in moderation – especially among young people.

On the whole, I’d say this webinar will not have an impact on the industry. It was not well-publicized, contained no new information, and really seemed like the FDA was just fulfilling a public duty in participating. I would, however, keep an eye on the FDA regarding action they may take eventually. Their blatant anti-indoor tanning stance during the webinar – in combination with the panel recommendations we learned were coming out of the 3/25 meeting – lead me to believe that the FDA is not opposed to flexing its regulatory muscles in our industry ... some day.

They are, however, known for dragging their heels. Not only have they been at a standstill regarding indoor tanning, they are equally reticent to commit to implementing and monitoring regulations for sunscreens. With this week’s news of the possible health concern regarding vitamin A and its derivatives being used in sunscreen (which the FDA allegedly knew about but failed to act upon), it seems as if the FDA doesn't want to draw a hard line on anything.

When it comes to tanning (and sunscreen), a stance of ongoing observation/analysis and throwing a few jabs from afar seems to be the FDA’s strategy of choice. Considering the unwarranted, radical alternatives that we keep seeing from lawmakers and the dermatology community, I suppose that’s fine by me.

–Karen

Click these links to access the: slides and: archived webinar.

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