FAQ's

Can I use a Sunbed if I am under 18?

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

I strictly follow The Sunbed Associations's Code of Practice prohibits sunbed use by anyone under 18 years. 

Can I Use a Sunbed?

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.

So you’ve completed the above checklist and answered NO to all the questions and want to use a sunbed because looking good and feeling great is what having a tan is all about and why 70% of us in the UK and Ireland want one!

Whether it’s an all-year-tan, a pre-holiday boost, Vitamin D boost or you simply want to look good for that special occasion, a tan has never been more accessible.

For excellent advice and information on responsible tanning in a controlled environment, use The Beauty Bar, a proud member of The Sunbed Association! 

How does the skin Tan?

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.

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

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.

What is a sunbed session?

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.

Why use a lotion?

Moisture is key to tanning and a UV lotion is designed to replace moisture lost during the tanning session. However, this is not it’s only function. Many lotions contain Tyrosine, an ingredient that stimulates the tanning process.

Other lotions contain cosmetic bronzers, or DHA (the main ingredient of fake tan). The new generation of lotions contain ingredients that refine and enhance the skin as well as ingredients that push the tanning process beyond the natural tanning plateau.

Our Tanning Consultants are trained to identify the type of lotion to suit your tanning requirements and even your preferences of scent and texture!

How do I prepare my skin for tanning?

Dry skin reflects light and sheds more frequently. Any tan that develops is shallow and does not last. Moisturising is key to developing a deeper, darker tan. A week before your first session, thoroughly exfoliate and moisturise. Ensure that you moisturise after every bath or shower and use a UV specific lotion during your session.

How long does it take to build a tan?

Building a tan is dependent on skin type and the condition of the skin. Dry skin reflects light and as the cells shed more frequently, any tan developed does not last. Fair skin tans more quickly whereas medium and dark skin types are more resistant to the tanning process, requiring more sessions. The time taken to build a tan varies depending on many factors, but on average, a base tan can be developed between 3 and 5 sessions.

You are able to maximise your tanning potential by ensuring that the skin is fully exfoliated and thoroughly moisturised. We stock a wide range of UV lotions that encourage the tanning process as well as replace moisture lost during your session. Our tanning consultants are trained to help you find a lotion to suit your preferences and tanning requirements.

Are sunbeds good for Vitamin D?

Yes! There is a wealth of research citing responsible use of UV light as the best source of Vitamin D. All life on earth is in some way reliant on sunlight to thrive and humans are no different. Vitamin D is essential for development, maintenance and function of many systems in the human body as well as for the prevention of chronic illnesses and the promotion of health and well being.

Outdoor sunlight is in short supply in the northern hemisphere, we even joke about the lack of the British summertime! This in turn leads to an increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency. Using a responsible indoor tanning package is not only tailored to your skin type, it is an efficient use of time. A recent study stated that we would need to be in outdoor sunlight for 130 minutes in Autumn and Winter in order to produce this essential hormone!

Using a UV tanning bed regularly for a session length suited for your skin type is a great way to help promote and boost your Vitamin D levels.

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

This depends entirely upon the type of sunbed being offered. The power and UV output can vary considerably from sunbed to sunbed. We will always 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.

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. 

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?

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.

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. 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.

Are sunbeds for tanning only?

If you don't have the opportunity to go out in the sun or prefer a more private and controlled environment, indoor tanning facilities represent a viable alternative to natural sunshine for stimulating your production of Vitamin D. However, it is important to remember that the radiation that you are exposed to in an indoor tanning facility is the same as what you get from the sun. That means you need to take the same precautions that you would if you were in natural sunlight.

Stand up or Lie Down?

Individual preference! Beds are as varied as users and the main difference between stand-up and lay-down tanning is individual preference. Some clients like to pop in for a short session on a stand-up on their way to work whereas others like to enjoy a longer session on a lay-down to relax and unwind!

Modern beds are designed to tan all over through the careful design of the lamp array, client position and reflectors. 

Is there a link between UV exposure and skin cancer?

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.

Melanoma

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.

Always seek advice from a properly trained member of staff about the appropriate session times for your skin type and stage of tan, as well as ensuring you have none of the contra-indications that would prohibit you from tanning - either on a sunbed or in the sun.