How Old Do You Have to Be to Go Tanning? US & UK Laws

By David Gray • Updated May 2026 • Medically reviewed May 2026
girl in tanning bed

The age you need to be to use a tanning bed depends entirely on where you are in the world — and in the US, which state you are in. There is no single universal answer. In the UK the picture is clear: commercial sunbed use is illegal for anyone under 18, full stop. In the US, a proposed federal under-18 ban was withdrawn in March 2026, leaving a patchwork of state laws ranging from no restrictions at all to a complete ban for all minors.

Below is a thorough breakdown of the legal landscape in both the US and UK, why these restrictions exist, and what younger people can do instead if they want to achieve a tanned look safely.

Key Takeaways

  • In the UK, commercial tanning bed use is illegal for anyone under 18 in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland — no exceptions, no parental override.
  • In the US, there is no federal age law. The FDA withdrew a proposed nationwide under-18 ban in March 2026, leaving regulation to individual states.
  • 44 US states and Washington DC have some form of restriction on tanning bed use by minors — ranging from full under-18 bans to parental consent requirements.
  • A small number of US states have no restrictions on minors using tanning beds.
  • New York prohibits indoor tanning for anyone under 17; some cities and counties have enacted additional local restrictions.
  • Using a tanning bed before age 35 increases melanoma risk by up to 75%. Using one before age 20 increases the risk by 47%.
  • The WHO classifies UV-emitting tanning devices as Group 1 carcinogens — the same category as tobacco and asbestos.
  • Self-tanning products have no age restriction and offer a safe, UV-free way to achieve a tan at any age.

The US: No Federal Law, State-by-State Rules

The US has no nationwide age law for tanning beds. The FDA proposed a federal ban on under-18 use back in 2015, but that proposal was officially withdrawn on 16 March 2026. The decision was signed by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., though the FDA stressed at the time that withdrawing the rule did not mean UV radiation from tanning beds does not cause skin cancer — it does.

Without a federal rule, the landscape falls to individual states. As of 2026, 44 states and Washington DC have some form of restriction on indoor tanning by minors. The restrictions fall into several categories:

States With a Complete Under-18 Ban

More than 20 states and Washington DC have passed full bans prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from using commercial tanning beds, regardless of parental consent. States in this group include California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia, among others.

California was the first US state to pass such a ban, which took effect on 1 January 2012. Some of these states do allow under-18 use with a valid medical prescription, but not for cosmetic tanning.

States With Partial Restrictions

A number of states set a lower minimum age with parental consent requirements for those above that age. For example, Indiana and Wisconsin ban anyone under 16 outright, and require a signed parental consent form for those aged 16 and 17. Other states in this group include Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wyoming, each with their own specific age thresholds and consent requirements.

New York: The Strictest Under-21 Rule

New York City has one of the strictest tanning restrictions in the country — prohibiting indoor tanning for anyone under 17 statewide, with some local jurisdictions setting the bar even higher. Anyone looking to tan in New York should verify the specific rule for their city or county, as local ordinances can exceed state minimums.

States With No Restrictions

A small group of states currently have no age-based restrictions on tanning bed use by minors. These include Alaska, Montana, South Dakota, Iowa, Colorado, and New Mexico, among a few others, along with some US territories. This does not mean tanning beds are safe for young people in these states — only that no law prevents access.

Always Check the Current Rule for Your State

Tanning laws change frequently, and a state that was unrestricted last year may have new legislation this year. The most accurate and up-to-date breakdown of every state’s current rules is maintained by the AIM at Melanoma Foundation, which tracks tanning bed legislation nationwide. Always verify your specific state’s law before visiting a salon.

The UK: A Clear Under-18 Ban Across All Four Nations

In the UK, the position is straightforward. Commercial sunbed use by anyone under 18 is illegal across all four nations:

  • Scotland: The ban has been in force since 1 December 2009 under the Public Health (Scotland) Act 2008.
  • England and Wales: The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 came into force on 8 April 2011, prohibiting anyone under 18 from using a commercial sunbed.
  • Northern Ireland: The ban came into force on 1 May 2012.

There is no parental override in UK law. A parent cannot sign a consent form and allow their child to use a sunbed. The law applies to the tanning salon operator — it is illegal for a business to permit anyone under 18 to use or access their sunbeds, and breaking the law can result in fines or closure.

The UK government announced in March 2026 that it intends to strengthen enforcement further under its National Cancer Plan, with proposals including mandatory ID checks, supervised sessions, and required health risk disclosures before any adult session. A public consultation launched in spring 2026 with potential new rules in place as early as 2027.

Other Countries: The International Picture

The UK and US are far from alone in regulating tanning bed access. The international landscape has moved substantially in recent decades:

  • Australia: A total ban on commercial tanning beds — for all ages — has been in place across all Australian states and territories since 2016. Australia was the first country in the world to implement a complete commercial ban.
  • Brazil: Banned commercial tanning beds entirely in 2009.
  • European Union: Approximately half of European countries have implemented strict under-18 bans. Countries including France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and Spain have such restrictions in place. Several Nordic countries banned commercial sunbeds entirely.
  • Canada: Several provinces have passed under-18 bans, including Ontario and British Columbia.

The common thread across these jurisdictions is the same body of scientific evidence linking early tanning bed use to significantly elevated skin cancer risk.

Why These Restrictions Exist: The Science

The age laws around tanning beds are not arbitrary. They are grounded in a substantial body of research linking indoor tanning — particularly early-life use — to markedly increased skin cancer risk.

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies UV-emitting tanning devices as Group 1 carcinogens — the highest risk category, shared with tobacco smoke, asbestos, and radon. This classification was made in 2009 and has not changed.

The specific statistics on age and risk are stark:

  • Using a tanning bed before the age of 35 increases the risk of developing melanoma by up to 75%.
  • Using a tanning bed before age 20 increases melanoma risk by 47%, with risk increasing with every additional use.
  • Indoor tanning is associated with a 59% increased risk of melanoma, a 67% increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, and a 29% increased risk of basal cell carcinoma in those who first use before age 35.
  • Women under 30 who use tanning beds are six times more likely to develop melanoma than those who do not.

Young skin is particularly vulnerable because it is still developing and has had less cumulative lifetime UV exposure — meaning any additional UV load carries a proportionally higher impact. The UK government notes that approximately one third of a person’s total lifetime UV exposure occurs in the first 18 years of life.

For a broader perspective on how tanning beds compare to sun exposure in terms of UV intensity and risk, see our article on whether tanning beds are worse than the sun. And for the broader question of why tanning beds remain legal despite these risks, our article on why tanning beds are legal covers the regulatory context in detail.

What If You Are Under 18 and Want a Tan?

If you are under 18 — or a parent of someone who is — and the goal is simply to achieve a tanned appearance, self-tanning is a well-established, UV-free alternative that works at any age and carries none of the cancer risk associated with UV exposure.

Modern self-tanning products use an ingredient called DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which reacts with amino acids in the outermost layer of skin to create a natural-looking tan colour without any UV involvement. The colour typically lasts five to eight days. There is no legal age restriction on self-tanning products, they carry no melanoma risk, and the results from well-formulated products on properly prepared skin are convincingly natural. For more detail on how DHA works, see our article on DHA in self-tanning.

For anyone starting out with self-tanning, our self-tan tips and tricks guide walks through preparation, application, and aftercare — the steps that make the difference between a convincing result and a patchy one.

What If You Are an Adult Starting to Use Tanning Beds?

If you are over the legal age in your jurisdiction and are considering using a tanning bed for the first time, starting slowly matters. Brief, infrequent initial sessions let you assess your skin’s response before increasing exposure. Our tanning bed time chart provides session length guidance by skin type as a starting reference. The 24-hour tanning rule — waiting at least a full day between sessions — is also worth understanding before you begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to go tanning in the US?

It depends entirely on your state. There is no federal age law — the FDA’s proposed under-18 ban was withdrawn in March 2026. More than 20 states have full under-18 bans. Many others allow 16- or 17-year-olds with parental consent. A small number of states have no restrictions. Check the AIM at Melanoma Foundation’s state-by-state tracker for your specific state’s current rules.

How old do you have to be to go tanning in the UK?

18. Commercial sunbed use is illegal for anyone under 18 across all of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. There is no parental consent exception — the law applies unconditionally, and salons that permit under-18s to use sunbeds risk fines and closure.

Can a 16-year-old use a tanning bed?

In the UK, no. In the US, it depends on the state. Some states permit 16-year-olds with parental consent. Others ban all under-18 use outright. A handful have no restrictions at all. Always check your state’s current law.

Can a 15-year-old use a tanning bed?

In most jurisdictions with age restrictions, 15 falls below the permitted threshold even with parental consent. In US states with full under-18 bans, 15-year-olds cannot use tanning beds regardless of parental permission. In states with partial restrictions, 15 is typically below the consent age as well. Check your state’s specific rules.

Why are there age restrictions on tanning beds?

Because the evidence is clear that early tanning bed use substantially increases skin cancer risk. Using a tanning bed before age 35 raises melanoma risk by up to 75%. Before age 20, the increase is 47% — and it grows with every additional use. The WHO classifies UV tanning devices as Group 1 carcinogens. Young skin is particularly vulnerable because it is still developing and has had less cumulative UV exposure.

Is there an age restriction on self-tanning products?

No. Self-tanning products — lotions, mousses, sprays, and drops containing DHA — have no age restriction. They do not use UV radiation and carry no skin cancer risk. They are a widely recommended alternative for under-18s who want a tanned appearance without UV exposure.

Can you tan in the sun at any age?

There is no legal age restriction on sun tanning in any country. However, the same health principles apply — UV exposure carries real risk regardless of the source, and young skin is more vulnerable than adult skin. SPF protection is recommended for everyone, and extended deliberate tanning sessions are not advisable at any age, let alone in childhood or adolescence.

Is New York’s tanning law stricter than other US states?

Yes. New York State prohibits indoor tanning for those under 17, and certain local jurisdictions within the state have enacted even stricter rules. It is worth checking your specific city or county if you are in New York.

Conclusion

The minimum age for tanning beds is not a single number — it depends where you are. In the UK, it is 18, with no exceptions. In the US, it varies by state, and the federal landscape shifted again in March 2026 when the FDA withdrew its proposed nationwide under-18 ban. The science behind these restrictions is unambiguous: early UV tanning bed use meaningfully raises the lifetime risk of melanoma and other skin cancers, and young skin is especially vulnerable.

For anyone under the legal age — or simply looking for a safer route to a tan at any age — self-tanning products offer a UV-free alternative with no cancer risk and increasingly realistic results. Our complete guide to self-tanning is a good place to start.

References

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