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Sunbeds

Surrey Heath Borough Council Environmental Heath Officers have recently inspected the seven outlets in the Borough where sunbeds are provided to ensure customers were receiving the right advice and were aware of the issues involved.

Officers found all the outlets were manned by staff who understood the risks and gave comprehensive advice to customers. The main cause for concern was that several premises were not following the Health and Safety Executive Guidelines which suggest people should have no more than 20 sessions a year. There is some considerable discrepancy between the guidance given by the Health and Safety Executive and The Sunbed Association, which quotes that individuals could undertake up to 60 sessions a year.

Council Environmental Health Officers recommend people follow the 20 sessions a year guidance and offer the following tips for tanning safely on sunbeds.

• Tan gently - do not exceed the recommended time for each session, this varies depending on the intensity of the sunbed
• Always wear eye protectors
• Do not use cosmetics or deodorants 12 hours before and after using a sunbed as this can increase the risk of an allergic reaction
• Be aware that home sunbeds pose a greater risk as it is impossible to regulate the time people spend on them

Do not use sunbeds if you:

• Are under 16
• Have fair sensitive skin and burn easily
• Have a large number of freckles or moles
• Are taking certain medicines or use prescribed creams - check with your doctor
• Are medically affected by sunlight
• Have a history of skin cancer in your family

All sunbed centres should tell you about:

• Short term risks - sunburn, rash, skin dryness, eye irritation
• Long term risks - premature ageing, skin cancer, cataracts

Research has shown that people who use sunbeds have an increased risk of melanoma which is a cancer of the pigment producing cells in the skin. If detected early it is curable but can be fatal if allowed to progress and spread.

The British Medical Association Opens in a new window, Cancer Research UK Opens in a new window, the British Association of Dermatology Opens in a new window and the World Health Organisation Opens in a new window all warn against using sunbeds.