Bare facts about sunbeds

Some people may think that using a sunbed (sometimes called solaria or solariums) is a ‘safe’ way to tan, but health agencies are advising that the use of solaria increases the risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Regular use of sunbeds is also likely to cause premature ageing of the skin, including wrinkles.

A solarium tan is caused by UV (ultraviolet) radiation, and all forms of UV radiation can contribute to skin cancer. Solaria tend to emit much higher concentrations of UV radiation than the sun, often being around three times as strong as the midday summer sun.

Sunbeds classified as cancer risk

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer division of the World Health Organization, has classified tanning beds as "carcinogenic [cancer-causing] to humans", in a special report published in 2009. The classification is the agency's highest cancer risk category, which also includes asbestos, plutonium and radium.

The IARC concluded that the risk of melanoma is increased by 75% when the use of tanning devices starts before age 30. Overall, the use of sunbeds boosts the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 20%.

Use of cosmetic tanning devices is also associated with increased risk of ocular melanoma.

Radiation damage

If you keep using sunbeds, your skin will age more quickly and you will develop wrinkles and freckly spots. If you sunburn easily and find it difficult to tan, you will not tan on a sunbed either.

Sunbeds are particularly dangerous if you:

• have skin that is fair and/or does not tan easily
• have lots of freckles and moles
• are under 30 years
• have been treated for skin cancer or other sun-related skin growths
• are taking drugs or medicines or are under medical treatment (unless your doctor agrees that you should have UV radiation therapy)
• have had sunlamp or ultraviolet treatment or have been sunbathing within the last 48 hours
• have abnormal, discoloured patches on your skin.

What are the effects of excess UV radiation?

The effects of excessive doses of UV radiation include:

• premature ageing of the skin
• increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma
• damage to the eyes
• immunosuppression
• photosensitivity/photosensitive disorders as a result of simultaneous use of prescription medicines.

Sometimes people using sunlamps and sunbeds suffer fierce burns with blistering and swelling. Others suffer less severe reactions. These burns are usually more serious than other sunburns as they may cover large parts of the body.

Exposure from artificial tanning devices also adds to the detrimental effects of solar UV radiation exposure. New Zealand already has high summer UV radiation levels compared to similar latitudes in the northern hemisphere.

Are there benefits from using a sunbed?

Commonly cited reasons for using sunbeds are for cosmetic purposes or to boost vitamin D levels. However, in the long term, sunbed use has a damaging cosmetic effect, adding to skin ageing, wrinkles and damage. Nor should sunbeds be used to increase vitamin D levels, because of the associated health risks.

Many sunbeds emit only low levels of UVB radiation, which is required for the body to produce vitamin D. The patterns of UV emissions from sunbeds are also very different
from those associated with sunlight, and they are in no way ‘natural.’ If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels, talk to your doctor.

Are solaria controlled and regulated in New Zealand?

The World Health Organization advises governments to enact legislation/ regulations to control the operation and use of solaria.

In contrast to many other countries, New Zealand does not currently require training for people who operate solaria or work in tanning centres. Nor is equipment regulated. So when you use a tanning clinic you have no way of knowing if the equipment is safe or if the operator is using the equipment safely.

The current Australian/New Zealand Standard for the solaria industry (AS/NZ2635:2008) is voluntary, which means solaria operators can choose whether or not to abide by it.

The Standard advises operators to:

• ban people under 18 years from using a solarium
• ban people with fair skin that easily burns from using the solarium
• display a warning notice in the foyer
• provide a consent form for customers to read and sign – outlining the risks of solarium use
• complete a skin assessment of all customers
• train staff in carrying out skin checks and implementing the Standard
• not promote a solarium as a ‘safe’ or ‘healthy’ way to tan, or as providing any health benefits
• provide protective eye goggles
• maintain strict hygiene and maintenance controls.

Are there any circumstances in which you should use a sunbed?

The Cancer Society of New Zealand has a 'position statement' on solariums. (This statement was also approved by the Australasian College of Dermatologists, and the Cancer Council Australia, March 2007.)

It recommends that:

1. The public avoid use of any type of artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation tanning device (solarium) for cosmetic purposes.
2. The public be informed of the risks associated with solarium use.
3. Legislation governing the operation of solariums that prohibits access for those under 18 years of age and people with skin that burns easily, provides for informed client consent, bans unsupervised solarium operations and ensures adequate training of staff, needs to be implemented.

Related topics

Also see Sunscreens and UV Index for safety in the sun and Sun protection- clothing and hats

Original material provided by the Cancer Society of New Zealand, August 2009. Edited by everybody, July 2010.