Skin cancer fears over sunbed rise

[Editor-in-Chief]

Skin cancer fears over sunbed rise

Monday 23rd July 2007
A new study has raised fears of an increase in skin cancer after revealing a 30% rise in the number of private sunbeds.

It also found that the beds are getting more powerful, as 83% produce UVB radiation levels that exceed the European standard.

Scientists at the Ninewells Hospital & Medical School in Dundee made their findings after comparing current sunbed usage with a 1998 survey of sunbeds in the Dundee, Perth and Kinross areas.

The researchers also conducted a survey of sunbed users and discovered that 15% believe the machines do not carry a health risk.

Half of the people questioned began using the beds before they were aged 24, and almost a quarter have been using sunbeds for more than 10 years.

More than a third have had between 29 and 40 sunbed sessions in the past year, and a quarter never use goggles to protect their eyes, the study published in the British Journal of Dermatology claims.

Dr Harry Moseley, one of the study's authors, said: "In an earlier study we found that sunbeds carried a cancer risk similar to that of UK summer sun.

"However, since our initial study, there have been technological developments leading to new, high power 'fast tan' units. These have become increasingly popular, along with the emergence of unmanned sun parlours.

"People sometimes use sunbeds in the mistaken belief that they are a safe alternative to conventional tanning, but this is simply not the case - the average sunbed now carries the same cancer risk as the midday southern European sun."

Source

[Din]

So what is wrong with 29-40 sessions a year? That's not a lot. That's 2-3 times a MONTH!!!!

These guys are idiots.

[EliteMike]

I say the sale of home units should be banned! If for no other reason than everyone reading this. Who's to say those that buy the home units follow the recommended time schedules

[Wicked1]

i have an ex client that bought her own bed. Now she was a lovely colour when she was visiting me now she just looks totally wrong way over done very old looking and her skin in wrinkly get rid of home units they are out of control at home...

[mr belvedere]

No doubt people with home units, regardless of locale, probably overuse them. (And I use the term "overuse" here loosely) But this is really just another BS figure from the establishment in the major media to further their agenda. It's this type of "blanket" statement in the major media that sways public sentiment and damages our livelihoods.

Left "unanswered" in the major media, and the seed is planted. Carry on. See y'all in Nashville. I can't afford to buy anything, but I believe in supporting a lost cause.