Safety Advice

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010, came into force on the 8 April 2011 to help shield the most vulnerable by stopping under 18s from using sunbeds. The Sunbed Hire Directory is completely supportive of this act and was already advocating for the refusal of hire sunbeds to Under 18’s long before the law was effected.

Any company that supplies a sunbed for hire to a consumer needs to see to it that they provide enough directions on the safe use such equipment. The directions would have to detail exactly how to correctly use the equipment, damage that can be caused from excessive usage, that under 18’s must not use the equipment plus also that the equipment needs to be properly marked with warnings.

Apart from this Sunbed Hire operators need to ensure compliance with The European Standard (The General Product Safety Regulations 2005. BS EN 60335-2-27: Particular requirements for appliances for skin exposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation) in which safe limits for UV radiance are stated, specifies a cap of 0.3 W/m2

Well what does this imply? Well basically the laws specify that the 0.3 W/m2 maximum irradiance limit for UV tanning devices is based on the opinion of the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP), and as a comparison it corresponds to the severity of the midday sun in the summer season in the Mediterranean. In other words the safe limit is meant to match sunbed output to the maximum that human Caucasians have biologically evolved to deal with.

Advertisers featured on this directory are impartial business operators and have a duty to adhere to any such guidelines, which might pertain to the operation of their business. The Sunbed Hire Directory agrees to no liability for the failure of a sunbed hire business not complying with any such legislation and urges customers to consult their provider prior to arranging the hire of sunbed equipment.

Question: Is sunbed usage unsafe?

Answer: Sunbeds provide health benefits and also some health hazards if not made use of sensibly. Prior to renting a sunbed please take some time to review the information listed below.

The 4 essential aspects we depend on for our lives and wellbeing are air, water, earth and sunshine. If we take any one of these aspects away, then quite simply, we would not exist! There would be no life without the sunlight– however life with too much sunlight might not be great either.

Ultraviolet Rays

UVC, UVB and UVA– are released by the sunlight. UVC rays, one of the most unsafe to the human system, are strained by the upper atmosphere yet some UVB (which can lead to sunburn and eye damage) and UVA, reach the earth’s surface. The severity relies on the angle of the sun– ie the geographical setting, season and time of day. UV levels can rise by up to 50% between 11am and 1pm!

UV is unnoticeable. Those outdoors are exposed to varying degrees of UV and they are often not aware of the UV severity. Sadly, warnings of sunburn normally appear too late. A study in Denmark disclosed that beach sunbathers exposed themselves for approximately three-and-a-half hours a day.

Sunbed lamps imitate the sun and release UVA and UVB but they go a stage further and regulate the output with a balance of UV to minimise the danger of burning and also maximise the tanning. As we understand– no-one controls the sun! Sunbed lamp technology undergoes on-going research and development programmes to keep up with researched proof on the effects of UV.

A couple of extra hints and ideas

  • Make sure you take out make-up and also cosmetics prior to tanning.
  • Be sure to take off jewellery to generate that all over tan.
  • If on medications don’t forget to find out whether they affect the light sensitivity of your skin. If unsure, ask your physician
  • Do not use sun-protection lotions.
  • Ensure that the equipment is cleaned prior to tanning.
  • Determine your skin type as this is the basis for your highest exposure time.
  • Adjust the exposure time on the sunbed for your skin type. Be sure to observe the advice of the supplier and salon operator to avoid sunburn and also obtain that ideal tan gradually.
  • You should always put on safety goggles or comparable eye protection when suntanning.
  • Do not tan on a sunbed and in the normal sun on the same day.

Sunbed Exceptions

Many people are able to use a sunbed but there are exceptions. If you answer YES to each of the questions listed below, you should NOT use a sunbed:

  • Are you aged below 18?
  • Do you always burn in natural sunlight?
  • Do you have a medical problem that becomes worse in sunlight?
  • Do you have an excessive amount of moles and/or freckles?
  • Do you have a history of sunburn, particularly from your younger years?
  • Do you suffer skin cancer or does any member of your immediate household have/had skin cancer?

Furthermore, if you are on any kind of medication or drugs, please consult your GP or pharmacist prior to using a sunbed as some medicines make the skin a lot more sensitive to UV light. If you are pregnant, consult your GP prior to usage.

So you have actually completed the above list and replied to NO to all the questions and wish to use a sunbed because looking nice and feeling great is what having a tan is all about and why 70% people in the UK want one!

Regardless of whether it’s an all-year-tan, a pre-holiday boost, vitamin D boost or you just wish to look great for that special celebration hiring a sunbed might be the answer.

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Skin Type

Reddish Hair
Light Coloured Eyes
Very Light Complexion
often with freckles

Sunburn Danger

Extremely sensitive
immediate sunburn
2% of central Europeans

Tanning

Tans very slowly if at all

Protection*

Natural Protection
5 – 10 minutes

Blond to Brown Hair
Blue, Green or Grey Eyes
Light Complexion
often with freckles

Sensitive
Almost always Sunburn
12% of central Europeans

Light Tan

Natural Protection
10 – 20 minutes

Dark Blonde or
Chestnut Hair
Grey or Brown Eyes
Medium Complexion
Very few or No freckles

Normal Sensitivity,
Sometimes Sunburn
78% of central Europeans

Good Tan, provided the skin is exposed to the sun step by step

Natural Protection
20 – 30 minutes

Dark Brown or Black Hair
Dark coloured Eyes
Brown or Olive Complexion
No Freckles

Very resistant,
seldom sunburn
8% of central Europeans

Always Brown

Natural Protection
approx. 45 minutes

Protection: This is in natural sun, NOT a powerful Sunbed. Please follow the instructions given to you on delivery