What price for tan?

Many of us want a healthy glowing tan, but what price are you willing to pay?

Hertsmere Borough Council has launched a campaign to highlight some basic sunbed safety tips and warn of the dangers sunbed use can present.

Cllr Jean Heywood, portfolio holder for environmental health, said: "Council officers carry out an ongoing programme of inspections of all premises offering sunbed facilities.

“With the summer now in full swing, and people keen to get a golden glow, we have just written to all businesses with sunbeds in our area to let them know that they are going to be inspected again to ensure the continued health and safety of the public.

“Recent national cases have shown that the potential risks from sunbeds can be greater in unsupervised facilities and in some cases customers were left with severe radiation burns after using coin-operated machines without any prior information or assistance. Our environmental health officers will be going in to premises to ensure there is adequate supervision and to provide advice about what they can do to support their customers."

In recent years sunbeds have been manufactured that produce increasingly higher levers of Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR) light to speed the tanning process, while the size of the tanning industry in the UK has continued to grow, and around 10 per cent of the population regularly use sun bed facilities.

Recent research also shows that there is a shocking 75 percent increase in the risk of skin cancer by people who regularly use a sun bed.

Exposure to artificial UVR may have adverse health effects including:

• Increase in the risk of developing skin cancer;
• Premature skin ageing;
• Eye problems;
• Suppression of immune system.

“There is national pressure from health officials for these types of facilities to be licensed, but currently there are no laws as yet. People should really think carefully about what price they are willing to pay for a golden glow. There are many other products available to do this and so using a sun bed is not necessarily the answer, but if you are still keen, use our guide to help reduce any risk," added Cllr Heywood.

What to look for if you visit a sun bed facility:

1. Knowledgeable staff: Are staff available whenever sun beds are in use? Trained operatives should talk to you about your skin type and a suitable tanning plan, give advice and keep a record of your exposure. Avoid coin-operated salons where staff are not available.
2. Safety information and equipment: Can you see information signs on display? Are there goggles for use when using the tanning equipment? Is there guidance on who should not use a sun bed (e.g. pregnant women, people under 18, anyone who has consumed alcohol within the last 90 minutes)?
3. Well-maintained and clean premises and equipment: Ask whether the sun bed is cleaned between customers; look for obvious signs of cleanliness and building maintenance.