Safety Advice
The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010, came into force on the 8 April 2011 to help protect the most vulnerable by refraining under 18s from using sunbeds. The Sunbed Hire Directory is completely supportive of this act and was currently promoting the refusal of hire sunbeds to Under 18’s even before the law was introduced.
Every business that provides a sunbed for rental to a consumer has to see to it that they provide appropriate instructions on the safe use such equipment. The instructions would have to detail exactly how to safely make use of the equipment, harm that can be caused from too much use, that under 18’s should not make use of the equipment plus also that the equipment has to be correctly marked with warnings.
Aside from this Sunbed Hire operators must 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 mentioned, defines a limit of 0.3 W/m2
Well what does this suggest? Well basically the regulations specify that the 0.3 W/m2 optimum irradiance cap for UV tanning equipment 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 in the Mediterranean. In other words the safe limit is intended to match sunbed output to the optimum that human Caucasians have naturally grown to deal with.
Advertisers included on this directory are impartial business operators and have a duty to comply with any such regulations, which might relate to the operation of their business. The Sunbed Hire Directory accepts no responsibility for the failure of a sunbed hire business not following any such regulation and encourages customers to consult their supplier before organizing the rental of sunbed equipment.
Question: Is sunbed use unsafe?
Answer: Sunbeds provide health advantages as well as some health hazards if not used sensibly. Prior to hiring a sunbed please spend some time to review the info below.
The four fundamental aspects we rely on for our lives and wellness are air, water, earth and sunlight. If we take one of these aspects away, then quite simply, we would not exist! There would undoubtedly be no life without the sunlight– however life with too much sunlight might not be good either.
Ultraviolet Rays
UVC, UVB as well as UVA– are released by the sunlight. UVC rays, one of the most harmful to the human system, are strained by the upper atmosphere but some UVB (which can cause sunburn as well as eye damage) as well as UVA, reach the earth’s surface. The severity depends 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 undetectable. People outdoors are exposed to varying degrees of UV and they are in most cases unaware of the UV severity. Regrettably, warnings of sunburn quite often appear too late. A study in Denmark showed that beach sunbathers exposed themselves for an average of three-and-a-half hours a day.
Sunbed lamps mimic the sun and produce UVA and UVB but they go a step further and control the outcome with a balance of UV to minimise the risk of burning and maximise the tanning. As we understand– no-one regulates the sun! Sunbed lamp technology undergoes on-going research and development programmes to keep abreast of researched proof on the impacts of UV.
A few additional hints and tips
- Be sure to get rid of make-up and cosmetics before tanning.
- Always remove jewellery to create that all over tan.
- If on medicines don’t forget to find out whether they affect the light sensitivity of your skin. If unsure, ask your physician
- Do not make use of sun-protection lotions.
- Ensure the equipment is cleaned before tanning.
- Determine your skin kind as this is the basis for your maximum exposure time.
- Set the exposure period on the sunbed for your skin type. Always observe the guidance of the manufacturer and salon operator to stay clear of sunburn and get that excellent tan progressively.
- Always put on protective goggles or equivalent eye protection when suntanning.
- Do not tan on a sunbed and in the natural sun on the very same day.
Sunbed Exceptions
Many people can use a sunbed but there are exceptions. If you answer YES to any one of the questions below, you should NOT make use of a sunbed:
- Are you aged below 18?
- Do you always burn in natural direct sunlight?
- Do you have a medical condition that worsens in sunlight?
- Do you have an excessive volume of moles and/or freckles?
- Do you have a history of sunburn, particularly from childhood?
- Do you suffer skin cancer or does any member of your immediate household have/had skin cancer?
Also, if you are on any type of medication or drugs, please consult your GP or pharmacist before making use of a sunbed as some medicines make the skin much more sensitive to UV light. If you are pregnant, consult your GP before use.
So you‘ve completed the above list and answered NO to all the questions and want to make use of a sunbed since looking fine and feeling amazing is what having a tan is all about and why 70% people in the UK desire one!
Whether or not it’s an all-year-tan, a pre-holiday boost, vitamin D boost or you simply want to look good for that special occasion hiring a sunbed might be the solution.
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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