Sunbeds - Fact not Fiction!

British summers are unpredictable, often short lived and annoyingly only seem to happen during the week – have you noticed that! – so relaxing in the sun at the weekend is a rare luxury.

Looking good and feeling great – that’s what having a tan is all about and explains why over 70% of us in the UK want one!

As we pack our suitcases and fly off for a well deserved holiday in the sun, many of us are so keen to get the sun on our skin that we either forget, or dismiss from our minds, the importance of responsible tanning. So what happens - we end up overdoing it in the first few days, resulting in sore, burned and damaged skin.

And for those of us who manage to work on our tans sensibly on holiday, sometimes the effort hardly seems worth it as the tan starts to fade before we’ve even got home! OK a slight exaggeration but often how it seems. So apart from emigrating, what are the options to achieving the year-round tan so many of us desire: Fake Tans & Sunbeds

Fake Tanning

• Great for people who want to tan but don’t tan in the sunshine.*
• Only lasts for a few days.
• Immediate results (if applied with a bronzer), ideal for unexpected as well as planned special events.
• Unless skin is properly prepared and maintained, fading
  can be patchy.
• Not as ‘natural’ looking as a UV tan.
• Fake tan odour is distinctive.
• No sun protection factor.

* These people have sensitive skin, known as skin type 1 and tend to have red or very fair hair and skin with freckles.

Sunbeds

• Long-lasting, natural looking tan Only suitable for people who can tan ie no skin type 1s
  (sensitive skin).
• A controlled way to obtain a tan. Takes approx 6 - 10 sessions to develop full tan.
• Fades evenly Over-exposure can cause skin to burn – easily avoided though.**
• Maintains healthy Vitamin D levels (Not suitable for under-18s).
• Prepares skin for UV exposure, prior to holidays.

** Use us as we are members of The Sunbed Association and you will be given a tailored programme to suit your skin type – although no clients with skin type 1 allowed or anyone under age of 18! We only endorse safe effective tanning.

Why worry about tanning?

Unfortunately, there are a number of misconceptions about Sunbeds and Sunbed use, much of which is the result of regular misinformation in the popular press. This has meant that a lot of people are unsure and confused about whether it is safe to use a Sunbed or sunbathe. So to try and clear the facts up, here are some brief answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Sunbeds and sunbathing:

Can I get skin cancer from just using a sunbed?

No. All the medical and scientific evidence points to over-exposure – burning – as the factor that will increase your risk of developing skin cancer, particularly if the burning happens in childhood. Using a sunbed responsibly is a controlled way to obtain your tan through UV exposure. Indeed, there are now studies which show that regular UV exposure can actually help prevent the most deadliest form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma.

Can everyone use a sunbed?

No. People with skin type 1s (sensitive skin); under 18s and people on certain medications that may cause their skin to react to UV exposure should not use a sunbed or sunbathe at all.

How many times a week can I sensibly use a sunbed?

Moderate tanning of 2-3 sessions a week is OK but it is important to leave a minimum of 24 hours, 1 full day between each session and at least 48 hours for people with skin type 2.

Why will some salons let me use their sunbeds for longer sessions?

Different sunbeds have different power and UV output. As a professional operator and as a member of the Sunbed Association we will advise accordingly with one objective: to avoid over-exposure or burning resulting in a quality tan. We only endorse safe tanning and your skin is our No.1 priority.

There’s no such thing as a 'safe' tan

Tanned skin protects you against sunburn, thought to be the main cause of melanoma (skin cancer). If you avoid sunburn, the benefits of moderate sun exposure in the sun or on a sunbed will far outweigh any possible dangers.

What are the benefits of using a sunbed?

The bottom line it’s a controlled way to tan – i.e. avoiding burning. An individual tanning programme determines the correct session length for the sunbed being used and your skin type. Plus, very importantly, it can help maintain your vitamin D levels.

How do sunbeds help avoid Vitamin D deficiency?

UV exposure is the main source of vitamin D production. Just a few minutes on a sunbed 2-3 times a week, will enable your body to produce sufficient vitamin D. From October – May it is impossible to produce vitamin D from UK sunshine exposure, as the sun is too weak. It is also very, very difficult to get enough daily vitamin D from diet and multivitamins, as these usually contain the wrong type of Vitamin D that the body actually needs.

Why should we avoid Vitamin D deficiency?

• Many internal cancers including breast, colon and prostate cancers.
• Osteoporosis and hip fractures.
• High blood pressure.
• Multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
• SAD, PMS, general depression.
• Skin disorders – such as psoriasis.

As we all need exposure to the sun to survive, it is bizarre that tanning has become such a controversial subject and there is so much conflicting information about sun exposure and Sunbed exposure, it’s no wonder people are confused!

Find out more about any of the issues from by calling us on: 01354 661001 your TSA member tanning salon. Alternatively, visit The Sunbed Association’s website www.sunbedassociation.org.uk for more information and advice about responsible tanning.