When I entered my first tanning bed at the age of 16, I thought I was doing a good thing and avoiding the dangers of the sun. The tanning salon perpetuated that idea, claiming that tanning beds were a safer way to get my daily dose of vitamin D than soaking up the sun. My mom felt otherwise--but she's my mom and I was 16. Of course I wasn't going to listen.

But as I've come to learn, Mom is always right. I had no idea that, just like sun tanning, a tanning bed put me at risk for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. I was just trying to look good for junior prom.

Today's teens who want to get that faux glow for prom have a much tougher time of it than I did. Seventeen states are considering laws banning indoor tanning for children under 14 (unless it is deemed medically necessary) and also requiring teens between the ages of 14 and 17 to have a signed consent form from their parent or guardian.

That's great and all, but what about adults who insist on tanning? I've heard various reasons why people well over the age of 18 continue to tan, from it being a favorite summertime pastime to using it to disguise figure flaws. But with over 62,000 adults getting diagnosed with skin cancer every year, perhaps it's time to pass a law requiring adults to sign a waiver before setting one pale foot in a tanning bed. Having to stop and acknowledge that what you're doing is bad for your health may be cause enough to stop and think twice.

My prom days ended over 10 years ago now (sigh), and I have not set foot in a tanning bed since. I also make sure my daily moisturizer has sunscreen in it and I cover up at the beach. I've learned to listen to my mom, about my skincare regimen at least, mostly because her skin does not look like that of someone who's approaching her mid-50s.

--Jennifer Merritt

Producer