Are sunbeds ever safe? Experts warn of surging tanning bed use and cancer risks
The Financial Times reports on the surging use of tanning beds despite strong expert warnings. The World Health Organization classifies sunbeds as a Group 1 carcinogen, on par with cigarettes and plutonium. A 2021 analysis of 14,000 melanoma patients showed increased risk from sunbed use, and UK government advisors found that using sunbeds before age 35 raises melanoma risk by 75%. The British Association of Dermatologists supports a complete ban on commercial sunbeds in the UK, citing links to skin cancer and poor enforcement of regulations. Brazil, Iran, and Australia have already banned sunbeds. While some users claim benefits like improved mood, treatment of skin conditions, and vitamin D production, dermatologists emphasize that commercial sunbeds deliver predominantly UVA light in uncontrolled doses, unlike safe clinical light treatments. Experts recommend vitamin D supplements as a safer alternative and note that sunbeds accelerate skin aging by damaging DNA and collagen.
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