Sunbeds

A sunbed is any tanning unit used to tan the skin with Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR). You may know them as solariums, sun lamps or tanning beds. The Irish Cancer Society advises that no one use a sunbed to get a tan.

Using a sunbed is not a safer way of getting a tan than from the sun. It exposes your skin to UVA and UVB rays that damage your skin cells and can lead to skin cancer.

• People who have used a sunbed (even just once) have a 15% increased risk of melanoma - the most serious type of skin cancer
• If you first use a sunbed before you were 30 years of age, your risk of getting a melanoma is increased by 75%
• If you use a sunbed once a month or more, your risk of skin cancer may be increased by more than half

Sunbeds aren't safe

If you use a sunbed you are at increased risk of skin cancer. The amount of UV radiation you get from a sunbed can be as much as 15 times higher than what you would get from the midday Mediterranean sun. If your skin burns from using a sunbed, you have seriously damaged the DNA in your skin cells. This is the first step towards skin cancer. Some things to keep in mind about sunbeds:

• If you never tan from being in the sun you will not tan by using a sunbed
• Having a tan is not a sign of healthy skin – it shows that you have damaged your skin. Even after your tan fades, this damage will stay and can lead to skin cancer
• Having a tan from a sunbed does not stop your skin being damaged by sun exposure. You may get the same protection you would by using sunscreen with SPF 2-3. But that is not strong enough to reduce your risk of further damage to your skin cells
• Using a sunbed before going on holidays to ‘start a tan’ is not safer than getting a tan from the sun 

Using a sunbed is more dangerous for some than others. Certain people ought never to use a sun bed. This includes you if you:

• are under 18 years of age
• have fair skin that burns easily or tans slowly or poorly and tend to freckle
• have a history of frequent childhood sunburn
• have a large number of moles
• are taking medication or using creams which make your skin more sensitive to UV radiation. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure
• have a medical condition that is worsened by sunlight
• anyone in your family has or had skin cancer in the past

Sunbeds and vitamin D

We don't recommend the use of sunbeds to boost your vitamin D level. If you are concerned about your vitamin D level, speak to you doctor. 

Sunbeds and medical conditions

Apart from causing skin cancer, using a sunbed can also cause:

• Cataracts and eye irritation/conjunctivitis
• Cancer of the eye
• Sunburnt skin
• Dryness, itching and bumpy rashes of the skin
• Premature ageing of the skin

Some diseases are treated using UV radiation. However, this is done under the supervision of a doctor. If you are having UV treatment for a medical condition, your doctor will speak to you about the risks involved. 

Sunbeds and you 

If you feel that using a sunbed gives you time to relax, it could be a good idea to take a moment to think of the damage you are doing to your skin and your increased risk of skin cancer. If you don’t use a sunbed, you could spend what you save on something else that you find relaxing. Why not have your nails done, go to the cinema or buy yourself a good book instead. Get some satisfaction out of knowing that you are not increasing your risk of skin cancer.

If you are using or have used a sunbed, what now? The best thing you can do is to stop using sunbeds from now on. Also, you get to know your skin and check it regularly for change.