Columbus, OH - Americans are using tanning salons in record numbers.

Despite safety warnings, the number of people who tan under indoor lamps has doubled in the past decade.

Experts say there's a rash of new cases of skin cancer, involving much younger patients.

A doctor at James Cancer Hospital says tanning beds are partly to blame.

A recent study shows using tanning beds before age 35 can increase your risk of melanoma by 75 percent.

The problem is, many young people just don't know how powerful these bulbs really are.

"Even when compared to places like in Australia where the sun intensity is so much higher, the radiation from those beds is still higher than the sun," said Dr. Kari Kendra.

Nearly half of all states have no regulations when it comes to minors using tanning beds.

Iowa is among those states without tanning regulationd for minors.

But area tanning salons tell KIMT News 3 they can implement their own consent form.

For example a teen 16 or under would need a parent's signature to tan.

Minnesota does have a state law for minors.

Written permission from a parent is needed for teens 16 and under.

For more information go to www.jamesline.com and click on "Media Room."  Or call the James Line at 1-800-293-5066.

For information on the "Patterns of Indoor Tanning Use" study, go to www.archderm.ama-assn.org.