Sunbeds – A deeper look into the cancer risk

Let’s face it, if we can burn from the UV radiation sent to us from a star situated 93 million miles away, then we are dealing with something pretty powerful! Tanners all around the world have got it wrong from time to time. What starts as a quick nap in the sun by the pool after a delicious BBQ, ends up with a rapidly deepening pink glow, and being ridiculed by everyone…Holiday ruined!

However, we all know that behind the funny side of sun burn is a more sinister truth. Skin damage from UV radiation can cause irreparable damage and lead to skin cancer.

It is fair to say that the Tanning industry has taken a large amount of criticism on this front. In recent years a number of articles have been published which state that sun beds directly increase the chances of the user developing Cancer. The issue with these articles is that they fail to really dig deep into the facts and generally portray a very one sided argument when it comes to the effects of UV radiation. Often these articles lambast the tanning industry without showing the true fact that salons take a huge amount of care and effort to ensure that tanning is safe for the consumer.

At Bodilight, we live by the saying ‘everything should be taken in moderation’. Spending time in natural sunlight or on sunbeds doesn’t automatically give a person cancer. It is when people don’t understand how to tan safely and spend too long exposed to UV radiation that damage can occur. At Bodilight we take every precaution to ensure our customers’ safety. Ultimately though, the key is moderation.

To better understand this issue, it is important to first take a closer look at what skin cancer is and how it is caused.

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is the World’s most common form of cancer and has two forms – non-melanoma and malignant melanoma.

Non-Melanoma Cancer

• Non-melanoma is the less severe form of skin cancer, and refers to a number of types of cancer which effect the upper skins layers.
• In the UK over 100,000 people are diagnosed with non-melanoma cancer every year.
• Treatment tends to involve surgery, and is often successful.

Malignant Melanoma Cancer

• This is the most serious form of skin cancer.
• In the UK, 13,000 people are diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma Cancer each year in the UK.
• Malignant melanoma occurs when melanocytes (skin cells) begin to develop abnormally.
• It is commonly identified by a mole that is irritated and odd coloured. T
• The key issue with this cancer is that it can spread very quickly around the body

What Causes Skin Cancer?

• Most skin cancers are caused by being exposed to the sun too much.
• This may be long-term exposure or short periods of overexposure.
• This is because UV radiation in the light damages the DNA (genetic material) in our skin cells and causes them to mutate.

Skin cancer and the use of sunbeds

It is clear to all that long term overexposure to UV light from both natural and man made sources are the main causes of Skin Cancer.  At Salons like Bodilight, staff will work with you to ensure that your session is suitable for your skin type and that it’s duration does not allow for over-exposure or skin damage. Our salon is also equipped with state of the art sunbeds which emit safe levels of UV light, to avoid overexposure. Please do not exceed recommended use of sunbeds as the reality is it can lead to skin cancer in the same way the sun can. In moderation, risks are greatly reduced and you can enjoy the beneficial side effects of UV light without the harmful affects. We also offer free skin analysis events once a month to give you a close up look of whats going on with your skin under the surface using a state of the art visia machine!

The key facts are:

• Sunbeds allow you to achieve a tan in a controlled environment. Tanning outside brings a whole set of its own risks.
• Outside tanning means UV levels will vary from location, time of day and year.
• Salon’s like Bodilight provide a constant level of safe UV for the correct amount of time.
• At Bodilight, we can protect you from overexposure and long term exposure through a combination of professional guidance on your session and this ability to control the level of UV radiation.

So to avoid looking like a lobster (no one fancies a lobster) and to more importantly stay healthy while you build a beautiful tan, pop in and see us at Bodilight. We respect the danger UV light brings with it and we are here to keep you safe and guide you along the way to that perfect glow.