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. What are the benefits of using a sunbed? 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. Is it true there is no such thing as a safe tan?
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. Is unprotected sun exposure unhealthy? Although precautions do need to be taken, regular, moderate amounts of unprotected UV exposure are absolutely necessary for good health. We're here to help lay out the facts to remind us of all the dangers that prolonged and even one time use of sunbeds can have.
Sadly, it seems that the desire to be tanned has taken precedence over protecting ourselves from skin cancer. Tanning beds are fairly new when it comes to being a regular beauty practice. First developed in the '60s, tanning beds later became popular in the '80s, and took off in large numbers in the '90s.
In , as few as 1 percent of American adults reported using indoor tanning facilities, by , that number had increased to 27 percent. Studies and research conducted in the last few decades, in particular, has made it evident how damaging this beauty practice really is. This increase in skin cancer has caused global campaigners working to educate and even ban tanning beds - but more on that later.
With tanning sessions starting at as little as three minutes, it's easy to think that not much damage can be done. But scarily, it's estimated that there's a 20 percent higher risk of melanoma in someone who has used a sunbed just once. This risk is at least double for regular tanners who started before the age of According to the British Skin Foundation and WHO over , new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year with almost 18, new cases of melanoma recorded in - the most serious and potentially lethal form of skin cancer," explained consultant dermatologist Dr Sharon Wong.
If enough damaged DNA builds up over time this can cause your skin cells to grow out of control — leading to skin cancer. As well as causing cancer, using sunbeds increases your risk of sunburn and eye inflammation, and they also accelerate skin ageing," she added.
Dr Wong further explained, "the DNA of your skin cells are damaged at the deepest layer of the skin dermis , this is why it can take years for the true effects of sun damage to appear. Similarly, UV rays can damage collagen and elastic fibres in the skin, responsible for giving your skin its smooth and youthful appearance," she added.
During my various conversations on the topic of sunbeds recently, I heard many myths. For the sake of sun safety, let's debunk them. Let's be honest, when it comes to protecting ourselves from UV rays, neither sitting outside for hours to bake in the sun, nor multiple trips to the tanning salon are good.
It may even be more harmful, depending on a few different factors such as: the strength of the UV rays, how often you use sunbeds, and your age," explained Stoddart. One study from published in the British journal of dermatology, found that the average risk of skin cancer from using sunbeds can be more than double that of spending the same amount of time in the Mediterranean sun during the summer months at midday.
Stoddart added that young people are particularly at risk when using sunbeds because their skin is more delicate and at a higher risk of damage. Most people I have spoken to recently who have previously or currently use sunbeds say they've done so intermittently before a holiday to build up a base tan for their trip abroad. It's not uncommon for tanning shop companies to list vitamin D deficiency in its marketing efforts to encourage customers to visit the salon.
And whilst vitamin D is crucial for us to live a healthy life, there are plenty of safer ways to maintain vitamin D levels than a sunbed, according to the experts. If there's one thing I've learnt from my time interviewing dermatologists and skin experts, it's that they wish people would spend more time concerned with reducing their risk of skin cancer than worrying about whether they're getting enough vitamin D.
The aforementioned study analysing university students' attitudes towards tanning, highlighted that a main motivation for tanning was confidence in how it made them look.
It's undoubtedly the biggest motivator and one that, for many people, outweighs the risks - this is especially true for people with acne. Although tanning beds might make you feel good in the short run, unfortunately they're not an effective treatment for maintaining youthful-looking skin either, since they accelerate skin ageing.
Sadly, the belief that tanning beds help with acne is also not backed by studies; quite the contrary actually. And even if sunbeds do slightly improve acne symptoms for some people, experts warn that this shouldn't outweigh the risks of skin cancer.
If you're looking to get that post-holiday glow, it's best to stick with fake tans , as formulas have become much more sophisticated and user-friendly in recent years, with many different types to suit your personal preference.
Using a sunbed to get a tan is not safer than tanning in the sun. Prolonged exposure to UV rays increases your risk of developing malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. UV rays can also damage your eyes, causing problems such as irritation, conjunctivitis or age-related cataracts , particularly if you do not wear goggles. The Health and Safety Executive HSE issued advice on the health risks associated with UV tanning equipment, such as sunbeds, sunlamps and tanning booths.
The HSE advice also includes important points to consider before deciding to use a sunbed. For example, if you decide to use a sunbed, the operator should advise you about your skin type and how long you should limit your session to. Page last reviewed: 27 August Next review due: 27 August Home Common health questions Lifestyle Back to Lifestyle.
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