The health risks associated with sunbeds has recently led to them being banned for under 18-year olds in Scotland. Unfortunately, it is still relatively easy for a young person to access sunbeds, with many claiming to use this potentially lethal tanning method regularly.
Do Sunbeds Increase the Risk of Skin Cancer?
There is overwhelming evidence now available, that clearly identifies the link between using sunbeds regularly and increasing the risk of suffering from skin cancer. In fact, sunbeds are classified in the same high risk category as tobacco. The real irony is that sunbeds have been advertised as a "safe" way to top up a tan and look healthy, despite the reality that using sunbeds not only prematurely age the skin, but also increases risk of skin cancer by as much as 75%.
In addition, UV rays can often be significantly higher from sunbeds, with some being 10 to 15 times stronger than the midday sun. Another irony is that the reasons why many young people use sunbeds tend to be to look more healthy and attractive, when premature ageing, coarse, leathery skin is certainly not going to help in the long run.
High Risk Groups and Sunbed Tanning
Although no one is safe using sunbeds, there are certain high risk groups, who are especially at risk from developing potentially life-threatening forms of skin cancer, such as malignant melanoma. In Skin Cancer and Sun Safety – The Essential Guide, Newcombe (2010) identifies high risk groups, particularly vulnerable to sun bed dangers, as follows:
- very fair or freckled skin
- skin burns easily
- lots of moles
- family history of skin cancer
- under 18 years old
- pregnant
- on medication which increases sensitivity to UV light
- already had skin cancer
Even short sunbed sessions are dangerous, making it best to avoid them altogether to reduce the risks of premature skin ageing and the possibility of ending up facing a life-threatening illness. Think sunbeds, think skin cancer – the only healthy tan is a fake tan. Hopefully, the whole of the UK will soon follow Scotland and ban sunbed usage for under 18-year olds, as this age group are at high risk.
As highlighted above, no sunbed is safe and the health risks are in fact on par with that of tobacco, although tans are still mistakenly associated with looking healthy. Nothing could be further from the truth, with regular sunbed usage under the age of 35 increasing the risk of skin cancer by as much as 75%.
Source:
Newcombe, R. (2010) Skin Cancer and Sun Safety - The Everything Guide Peterborough: Need 2 Know
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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