Safe use of sunbeds
About safe use of sunbeds
Using a sunbed exposes you to Ultra Violet (UV) radiation
This is the same as being out in very strong sunlight.
Some direct exposure of your skin to the sun is necessary for your health and for most people sunny days make them feel better generally.
However, being out in the sun for too long causes sunburn - with the associated redness, pain and peeling skin.
In some people the body will respond to over-exposure to the sun by producing pigments in the skin resulting in tanning. A tan doesn't protect you from over-exposure to the sun.
Many people decide to use sunbeds because they say it makes them look and feel better. Some use it to get a start on a tan before they go on holiday, or before a big event such as a wedding etc, but many regular users visit sunbed parlours every week to maintain the tan they have.
Sunbeds produce UV radiation to mimic the suns rays and stimulate the production of a tan.
However, in order to try and speed up the effect the level of radiation used is equivalent to that of very strong sunlight. The danger of getting burned is therefore much increased.
The results of over-exposure from a sunbed are the same - redness, pain, peeling skin, eye irritation in the short term and in the longer term there is the risk of cataracts, skin ageing and several types of skin cancer including malignant melanoma.
The risks are linked to the level of exposure, but younger people seem significantly more at risk.
Further information
Some organisations such as Cancer Research UK believe that a tan is a sign of skin damage and that any unnecessary exposure should be avoided. Over 100 people die per year in the UK from cancer purely related to sunbed use. See Sunsmart website for further information.
Food and Safety
For further information or advice
Environmental Health
Midlothian Council
9 Ironmills Road
Dalkeith
Midlothian
EH22 1JN
foodandsafety@midlothian.gov.uk
0131 271 3549 (tel)
0131 270 8910 (fax)
