Sunbeds: the risks and the myths

Do tanning beds cause cancer?

Sunbeds give off ultraviolet (UV) radiation, just like the sun does. But the UV radiation from tanning beds is at a much higher intensity. UV radiation can damage the DNA in our skin cells and cause skin cancer.

Too much UV radiation is the single biggest cause of skin cancer. In the UK, up to 9 in 10 cases of melanoma skin cancer can be prevented by protecting your skin from UV radiation. This can be done by spending time in the shade on sunny days, avoiding sunbeds, and wearing suncream. Make sure to choose a suncream with the UVA sign on the package, and at least SPF 30.

Five common myths about sunbeds

1. UV exposure from sunbeds is essential for vitamin D

We can absorb vitamin D from the sun, through certain foods, and by taking vitamin D supplements.

The sun emits different types of UV rays, including UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVB rays help the skin receive vitamin D. Sunbeds mainly produce UVA rays, and these won’t improve your vitamin D levels.

2. Sunbeds improve your mental health in winter

Many people experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a condition that causes symptoms of depression in the winter months. Natural light is essential to regulate our sleep cycle. And so reduced light exposure in the winter can disrupt our sleep cycle and contribute to low mood.

It might be tempting to use sunbeds when you’re missing the sun. But the UV radiation from sunbeds does not have the same effect as natural light on our bodies. This is because natural light affects our body clock through the eyes, and not the skin.

The best treatment for SAD is visible light therapy. This is where you sit in front of an artificial light source (light box) each day. The light is free from UV radiation and is supposed to mimic the effect of sunlight. You might also want to consider other treatment options for depression.

3. Sunbeds can treat skin conditions

Doctors can use narrow-band UVB light therapy (a type of phototherapy) for some people with skin conditions, such as psoriasis. Areas of the skin are spot treated with limited doses, and the rest of the body is protected from the radiation.

This is very different from using tanning beds, where your whole body receives UV radiation. Sunbeds also mostly give off UVA rather than UVB light. This would have little effect on skin conditions like psoriasis. So sunbeds aren’t recommended for treatment.

4. Indoor tanning is safer than suntanning

There’s often a misconception that because sunbeds use mostly UVA light, they’re safer than outdoor sun tanning. But we now know that UVA radiation damages skin cells and is strongly linked to melanoma.

5. Sunbeds are safe if you only go a few times

You may be wondering if there’s a safe way to use sunbeds. Unfortunately, the answer is no. Just one visit to a sunbed can significantly increase your risk of skin cancer. The safest option would be to avoid them altogether.