Frequently Asked Questions

Sunbed lamps simulate the sun and emit UVA and UVB - but they go a stage further and control the output with a balance of UV to minimise the risk of burning and maximise the tanning.

Our natural skin colour is determined by skin pigment – melanin – and the presence and amount of melanin in an individual is determined by hereditary factors.

When our skin is exposed to UV, cells deep in our skin – called melanocytes – initiate a process where more melanin is produced. This subsequently ‘browns’ as it rises to the skin’s surface producing a tan. UV also causes the outer layer of the skin to thicken. This is the body’s way of building up protection to UV and to help avoid burning.

People will react differently to UV rays – darker skinned people produce melanin more readily. The skin of some very fair people contains very little melanin and, even when exposed to UV, they cannot form melanin, so they will not tan in sunlight or on a sunbed.

If the natural tanning process is rushed, sunburn will result. Our skin has a natural repair mechanism but if this is triggered too frequently, it may become exhausted and result in permanent damage to the skin.

ENGLAND AND WALES - The law came into force on 8 April 2011. It is illegal to allow anyone under 18 to use a sunbed.

It is estimated that one-third of our lifetime exposure to UV occurs in the first 18 years of life. The delicate skin of children needs to be protected, as the melanin-producing cells do not act efficiently enough to cope with over-exposure and there is evidence which suggests that over-exposure and sunburn pose the biggest risk to skin damage.

Preventing sunburn and over-exposure in childhood is seen as a major factor in preventing skin damage in later life. On the other hand, studies have shown that UV provides a source of Vitamin D, which is essential for maintaining a healthy skeleton, eg prevention of rickets. The answer is that children should receive a certain amount of exposure to UV for health reasons but must avoid over-exposure and sunburn.

There is much misinformation in the public domain about an alleged link between sunbed use and skin cancer, in particular melanoma.

The fact is that there is no causal link between the responsible use of sunbeds and melanoma.

Studies have been conducted specifically to try and establish a causal link and they have been unable to do so.  This includes a recent large case-control in the UK, conducted by Leeds Cancer Research UK Centre.  Their research concluded: "Therefore, we have not found any evidence of a relationship between sunbed use and melanoma risk."  The findings were published in the International Journal of Cancer.

At all times, whether in the sunshine or on a sunbed, it is important to ensure that over-exposure or burning is avoided.  It is over-exposure and burning that will increase a risk of skin cancer, not responsible UV exposure.

People with skin type 1; children under 18 and people on certain medications that may cause photosensitivity; people with a history of skin cancer in their family should not use a sunbed at all. Moderate tanning of 2-3 sessions a week is OK for everyone else but ensure you rest the skin for a minimum of 24 hours between each session and at least 48 hours for skin type 2. The European Standard advises not to exceed 60 sessions per annum.

A sunbed session is the length of time it takes to reach an individual’s MED (minimal erythemal dose). This is the point prior to over-exposure and burning, which must always be avoided. A session will therefore depend on the type of sunbed being used, the skin type of the person using it and the development point of their tan. Never sunbathe outdoors on the same day you take a sunbed session.

This depends entirely upon the type of sunbed being offered. The power and UV output can vary considerably from sunbed to sunbed. A professional sunbed operator will advise on the correct session length, dependent upon sunbed, skin type and stage of tan development.

A new regulation now requires all sunbeds to have a maximum irradiance level of 0.3W/m2 and this will mean the length of a session will need to be increased to achieve the same dosage.

There are two types of skin cancer – non-melanoma which can usually be easily treated. The second is malignant melanoma, which if not treated early enough can prove fatal.

Some evidence points to sunburn and over-exposure to UV being one of the possible risk factors in contracting skin cancer. It follows, therefore, that avoiding melanomas can be helped by controlling exposure to UV – particularly in children.

Malignant melanoma is found to be most prevalent on parts of the body not normally exposed to sunlight, suggesting that it is those areas that have to deal with intermittent, excessive doses of UV that are most vulnerable – or that UV over- exposure is not the only cause.

Controlled exposure to UV, either in sunlight or on a sunbed, is important to avoid over-exposure and sunburn

Sunbeds offer a controlled way to tan and can provide appropriate levels of UV to ensure sufficient levels of Vitamin D are achieved and maintained (see section on Vitamin D for more on this subject).

Tanning in sunlight means the body can be subjected to different levels of UV rays, depending on the time of day, location in the world, month of the year and so on. With a sunbed, a tanning programme can be developed to ensure skin type and the type of sunbed being used, are taken into consideration to ensure that over exposure, including the possibility of burning, is avoided.

Although precautions do need to be taken, regular, moderate amounts of unprotected UV exposure are absolutely necessary for good health. Independent scientific research has shown that whether you live in a sunny or not-so-sunny climate, but expose yourself to sun, then your subsequent increased production of Vitamin D will help lower the risk of a host of debilitating and fatal diseases including colon, breast, prostate and ovarian cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and depression.

No. Tanned skin protects against sunburn, thought to be the main cause of melanoma. If you avoid getting sunburned, the benefits of moderate sun exposure (see Vitamin D section) will far outweigh any risks.

Most people are able to use a sunbed but there are exceptions.
If you answer YES to any of the questions below, you must NOT use a sunbed:

• Are you aged under 18?
• Do you always burn in natural sunlight?
• Do you have a medical condition that becomes worse in sunlight?
• Do you have an excessive amount of moles and/or freckles?
• Do you have a history of sunburn, particularly from childhood?
• Do you have skin cancer or does any member of your immediate family have/had skin cancer?

Also, if you are on any medication or drugs, please check with your GP or pharmacist before using a sunbed as certain drugs make the skin more sensitive to UV light. If you are pregnant, consult your GP before use.