How much is a tan worth to you? Rebecca Stoner from the Malta Medical Students’ Association loses some sleep over the dangers of tanning beds. In Malta, no regulations on their usage exist, raising fears that even children may have access to them.
With summer round the corner, everyone’s current concern is getting tanned in time for the bikini season. But to what extent will people go in pursuit of the perfect tan?
Contrary to popular belief, the alleged ‘healthy glow’ obtained from hours spent in the agonising heat is the skin’s way of reacting to damage.
Every summer we are bombarded by the media with warnings and adverts about the risks associated with tanning, yet the number of cases of skin cancer is doubling every 15 to 20 years. This can be partly attributed to the rise in the use of tanning beds.
There is a common misconception that indoor tanning is a safer alternative to tanning outdoors.
People reassure themselves that tanning beds use controlled doses of UV radiation, but do not realise that each dose is very high – several times more than the annual UVA radiation received from midday sun.
The higher the exposure to this kind of radiation, the higher the chances of developing skin cancer, putting tanning-bed users further at risk.
Eye damage and premature ageing are also risks associated with indoor tanning. Tanning beds are also often associated with other benefits such as vitamin D production. While vitamin D is essential, it is produced in sufficient amounts from the food we eat and from as little as five minutes of natural sunlight exposure per day.
The increase among both teenagers and older women who use tanning beds suggests that both age groups need to be warned about its risks.
While studies carried out by Cancer Research UK have shown that tanning-bed users under the age of 30 have over a 70 per cent increase in the risk of developing skin cancer, it does not mean that older generations are not at risk.
Only 23 per cent of our lifetime’s sun exposure takes place before 18, which means that people still need to be careful later on in life.
With tanned celebrities like Simon Cowell and Cristiano Ronaldo in the limelight, it is no surprise that there has been an increase in male clients at indoor tanning salons.
It should be kept in mind that even while outside on a cloudy day, or by standing close to a window with the sun shining through it, people are still being exposed to the harmful UV radiation. In fact, 80 per cent of UV radiation can penetrate through clouds.
Dark-skinned people are also at risk, although people with fair skin are more susceptible.
When sun exposure cannot be avoided, it is recommended to wear a sunscreen of minimum SPF 50.
In Malta, no regulations exist regarding tanning-bed usage, which is of concern as it is feared that even children may be getting access to them.
However, the UK’s recent introduction of legislation, banning the use of beds by under 18s, has generated an increase in the awareness about their dangers and the need to implement regulation.
This has also fuelled the trend for safer, alternative means of tanning, known as ‘fake tanning’.
These sunless methods are being adopted at a surprising rate as people, who are aware of the dangers associated with UV rays and concerned about their skin, are opting for sprays and creams, which give the same effect as natural tans without the risks.
The growth of the fake-tanning industry suggests that attempts to raise awareness have been successful.
Hopefully, these safer alternatives will continue to catch on and damage caused by UV radiation will be kept to a minimum.