A touch less of the sun

The first National Sunbed Awareness Day will take place on 30 April.

The Sunbed Association - representing the UK's sunbed operators, manufacturers and suppliers - initiated the campaign in an attempt to inform, educate and advise users about the responsible use of sunbeds and on tanning issues generally.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for the regulation of sunbed use following research showing that some people have in excess of 100 tanning sessions a year.

The British Photodermatology Group feels sunbeds should not be used at all but if they are, use should be limited to no more than two courses per year with each course including no more than 10 sessions.

However, there is no training or legislation linked with sunbed use.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the BMAs Board of Science and Education, said: We really need a public health campaign to educate people about the dangers of sunbeds and also myths about tanning.

A suntan is not a sign of good health. Ironically, people think they'll look better and yet they will probably end up looking prematurely old and possibly getting skin cancer.

The BMA also said that there was increasing evidence that sunbed use can suppress the immune system.

Sunlight contains a mix of UVA and UVB radiation, some of which is filtered out by the ozone layer. Sunbeds produce mainly UVA radiation, which penetrates deeper into the skin, and less UVB radiation than the sun.

The Sunbed Assocation said: Sunbeds offer a controlled environment when tanning, where sessions can be monitored and recorded to avoid UV over-exposure. This is certainly not the case when tanning outdoors. Details: +44 (0)1494 785914 or www.sunbedassociation.org.uk