Information about Tanning & The Sun from The Tanning Company, Hastings, East Sussex

Tanning, UV Tan, Fake Tan, Sun Showers, Sun Beds

How many times a week can I use a sunbed?

People with skin type 1; children under 16 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.

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.

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.

Vitamin D

Benefits for: Bone Health, Skin Health, Cellular Health, Mental Health

Sunlight is the most effective as for the body to manufacture Vitamin D. Yet in the UK our bodies can only manufacture Vitamin D from exposure to the sun during the months of May to October. Outside of these months, the sun is simply not strong enough.

Are You More at Risk from Vitamin D Deficiency?

Age:

The older you are the harder it is for your skin to make Vitamin D from sunlight.

Lifestyle:

The more time you spend indoors during daylight hours, the less opportunity you have to make vitamin D.

Geographical Location:

In the UK with its relatively long winters, you get less sun over the course of the year because the sunlight isn't strong enough to make vitamin D in the winter.

Race:

People with very dark skin, especially those of Asian and Afro-Caribbean descent find it difficult to make vitamin D from limited sunlight.

Culture:

Certain cultures require their women to cover themselves entirely in heavy clothing that blocks out the sun.

Intestinal Diseases:

For people with Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis and certain other intestinal diseases, as the intestine cannot efficiently absorb vitamin D from the diet or supplement.

Scientists at Boston University School of Medicine recently conducted a study of 50 adults who visited tanning salons. They were individually consulted about how often they used sunbeds, following which they underwent blood tests and a bone scan.

The results were compared with 100 people who did not use sunbeds. Almost 42% of non-users were found to be vitamin D deficient compared with just 8% of sunbed users. Scans also showed that those who used the sunbeds on a regular basis had significantly higher bone mass.

^top