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European Sunlight Association

voice of the european indoor tanning industry

What is a sunbed and how does it work?

Once the skin is exposed to UVR, cells deep in our skin called melanocytes initiate a process whereby more melanin is produced. This subsequently browns as it rises to the skin’s surface, producing either a direct pigmentation (UVA) or indirect pigmentation (UVB). UVA and UVB both contribute to tanning of the human skin. UVA is the dominant tanning ray, which produces the golden tan, while UVB can cause the skin turning red and develop a sunburn. Sunbed lamps simulate the sun and emit UVA and UVB but they go a stage further and control the output with a balance of UV to minimise the risk of burning and maximise the tanning.

Is sunbed light equivalent to natural sunlight?

No difference has been detected between the reaction of our skin to artificially generated radiation and solar radiation of the same composition. The sun emits various types of ultraviolet radiation in the form of A, B and C waves of specific wavelengths. Sunbeds only emit “UVA” and “UVB”, which are also the only ones from sunlight that reach our skin (UVC waves are absorbed by the Earth’s ozone layer). While sunbeds’ irradiance spectrum (ratio between the two types of UVR) is constant, the sun’s varies according to your geographic location and to the season (the Earth’s inclination to the sun). Therefore a sunbed’s irradiance is similar to that of the sun in terms of composition, but not in terms of UVA: UVB ratio, as this ratio differs in every place on Earth. By contrast, the spectrum emitted by a sunbed remains stable whereas it is not always obvious to people how “strong” the rays from the sun are, as they vary depending on the time of day, season and location.

Is there any risk using a sunbed?

As sunbeds’ irradiance presents similar characteristics to sunlight, it can also entail similar adverse effects. Hence, as for the sun, excessive accumulation and/or a too long exposure can result in sunburn and also increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Singling out sunbed use is aiming at the wrong target though. Not only are sunbeds used by a minimal fraction of the population that get exposed to the natural sun, but UV exposure by sunbeds is controlled, whereas sunbathing outdoors is not. Similar to the general recommendation to avoid sun exposure at peak time or for prolonged duration, in particular during summer, for safe tanning it is recommended to use sunbed sessions of moderate length, with sufficient time between sessions. Controlled exposure to UV, either from sunlight or on a sunbed, is important to avoid over-exposure and sunburn.

What are the advantages / benefits of sunbed use?

More and more studies demonstrate the benefits of controlled UV exposure, through the use of sunbeds.

A sunbed provides the same essential benefits as natural sunlight: it induces Vitamin D production, which is essential for good health. A form of cholesterol naturally found in your skin absorbs the UVB radiation and gets converted into pre-vitamin (cholecalciferol) which, once metabolized, turns into Vitamin D. How much Vitamin D is produced depends upon age, the amount of pigment in the skin and the amount of time for which the skin was exposed. Even the intensity and wavelengths of the UV radiation and the amount of uncovered skin have an effect. Vitamin D is typically good for strong bones and teeth and plays an important role in maintaining resistance. It is also important for the prevention of osteoporosis and it also decreases the risk of fractures in older women.

Further, the UVA component emitted by sunbeds leads to an enhanced availability of nitric oxide (NO) in the skin. When released, NO has a major impact on decreasing the risk for cardiovascular diseases by dilating blood vessels, raising blood supply and lowering blood pressure.

Besides fostering Vitamin D production and the release of nitric oxide, sunbeds provide measured and controlled tanning. The irradiance intensity of a sunbed doesn’t change, unlike that of the sun, meaning it is possible to monitor the dosage carefully in order to prevent over exposure, leading to burns.

Depending on your skin type, a sunbed can also help to prepare and adapt your skin before you encounter increased sun exposure (due, for instance, to a change in season or geographic location such as when you go on a holiday) and therefore reduces risks of sunburn.

Last but not least, other effects, which may be less measurable but are quoted by users include: sunbeds can make people feel better and improve their mood, in particular for those who by their place of residence, lifestyle or occupation only have limited exposure to natural sunlight.

Are sunbeds good for everyone?

In tanning there is no ‘one-size-fits–all’. The amount of UV exposure needed to acquire a tan varies according to your skin type. Hence, the fairest skin type cannot tan without burning and should not use a sunbed while darker skin types are less likely to burn. That is why tanning professionals are trained to determine the appropriate amount of UV exposure for each client while minimising your risk of sunburn.

The following table identifies skin types and the corresponding recommended tanning practice.

You have light features and are very sensitive to light. You always burn and cannot tan.
Professional tanning salons will not allow you to tan.
You have light features, are sensitive to light and usually burn. However, you can tan lightly. Developing a tan at a professional tanning salon will be a very gradual process.
You have a normal sensitivity to light. You do burn on occasion, but you can tan moderately. Developing a tan at a professional salon will be a gradual process.
Your skin is tolerant of sunlight, so you seldom burn and can tan moderately. You will be able to develop a tan relatively quickly at a professional tanning salon.
You have naturally dark skin and features. You can develop a dark tan, and you rarely burn. You will be able to develop a tan quickly at a professional tanning salon.
Your skin is black. You rarely sunburn and have an extreme tolerance to sunlight. Tanning will have little to no effect on the color of your skin.

Skin type 2 -6 can benefit from sunbed exposure. Of course the individual exposure time on a sunbed will be different due to the skin type. The darker the skin the longer it can be exposed to sunlight without damage (burn).

Are sunbeds safe today?

As the risks related to irradiance cannot be dissociated from exposure time, all sunbeds include a time control system (30 minutes maximum, after which a sunbed automatically switches off) to prevent excessive exposure.

Moreover, as the risk of sunbed use has also to be considered on the basis of each person’s skin type, many sunbeds or tanning facilities are equipped with a skin scanner system to assess the type and duration of tanning to suit consumers’ needs in a safe manner.

How can I be informed about potential risks of sunbed use?

As safe sunbed use is critically dependent on the way the service is provided, various standards exist to guarantee that operators of professional UV indoor tanning facilities are properly trained to take clients’ characteristics into account and to provide all necessary information and guidance prior to any tanning session. You can find further information on the website of your country’s national association of the indoor tanning industry.

How can policy-makers ensure the highest possible level of safety for consumers?

In order to avoid any risk of burns and to reduce the likelihood of damage to the skin due to long exposure, the EU adopted a mandatory standard in 2007 (EN 60335-2-27) limiting the irradiance of sunbeds to 0.3 W/m2. Put differently, a sunbed session shall have a maximum UV output that corresponds to the mid-day, Mediterranean sun (UV index of 12). EU rules on sunbeds are the strictest limits in the world.

ESA actively cooperates with national and European authorities to define and implement operating standards in sunbed services across Europe. ESA and its members are the most vocal advocates of improved compliance. We call for more controls and we work hand-in-hand with the authorities to promote best practices.

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