Safety Advice
The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010, came into force on the 8 April 2011 to help safeguard the most vulnerable by preventing under 18s from having access to sunbeds. The Sunbed Hire Directory is fully supportive of this regulation and was already advocating for the refusal of hire sunbeds to Under 18’s even before the regulation was announced.
Any company that supplies a sunbed for hire to a consumer has to make sure that they provide sufficient guidelines on the safe use such equipment. The guidelines would have to detail how to safely make use of the product, damage that can be caused from too much usage, that under 18’s should not make use of the equipment and also that the equipment has to be properly 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 recommended limits for UV radiance are specified, defines a limit of 0.3 W/m2
Well what does this mean? Well essentially the guidelines 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 intensity of the midday sun in the summer time in the Mediterranean. In other words the safe limit is intended to match sunbed output to the optimum that human Caucasians have biologically evolved to deal with.
Advertisers included on this directory are independent business operators and have a duty to abide by any such guidelines, which might be relevant to the operation of their business. The Sunbed Hire Directory agrees to no liability for the failing of a sunbed hire business not following any such regulation and urges consumers to consult their distributor prior to arranging the hire of sunbed equipment.
Question: Is sunbed usage risky?
Answer: Sunbeds offer health benefits and also some health risks if not used sensibly. Before hiring a sunbed please take some time to check out the details below.
The four fundamental aspects we depend on for our lives and wellness are air, water, earth and sunlight. If we take one of these forces away, then quite simply, we would certainly not exist! There would be no life without the sunlight– but life with too much sunlight might not be good either.
Ultraviolet Rays
UVC, UVB and UVA– are released by the sunlight. UVC rays, one of the most dangerous to the human system, are strained by the upper atmosphere but some UVB (which can cause sunburn and eye damage) and UVA, reach the earth’s surface. The intensity relies on the angle of the sun– ie the geographical setting, season and time of day. UV levels can increase by up to 50% between 11am and 1pm!
UV is unnoticeable. People outdoors are exposed to varying degrees of UV and they are quite often unaware of the UV intensity. Regrettably, warnings of sunburn normally 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 emit UVA and UVB but they go a step further and regulate 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 experimented evidence on the effects of UV.
A few extra hints and ideas
- Be sure to get rid of make-up and cosmetics before tanning.
- Make sure to remove jewellery to create that all over tan.
- If on medications don’t forget to find out whether they influence the light sensitivity of your skin. If unsure, talk to your physician
- Do not make use of sun-protection lotions.
- Ensure that the equipment is tidied up before tanning.
- Identify your skin kind as this is the basis for your highest exposure time.
- Adjust the exposure time on the sunbed for your skin type. Make sure to observe the guidance of the manufacturer and salon operator to avoid sunburn and also get that excellent tan gradually.
- You should always use protective goggles or similar eye protection when suntanning.
- Do not tan on a sunbed and in the normal sun on the same day.
Sunbed Exceptions
Most people are able to use a sunbed however there are exemptions. If you answer YES to any of the questions below, you must NOT make use of a sunbed:
- Are you aged under 18?
- Do you normally burn in natural direct sunlight?
- Do you have a health problem that becomes worse in sunlight?
- Do you have an excessive volume of moles and/or freckles?
- Do you have a history of sunburn, specifically from your younger years?
- Do you suffer skin cancer or does any member of your immediate household have/had skin cancer?
In addition, if you are on any kind of prescription or medicines, please consult your GP or pharmacist before using a sunbed as some medications make the skin extra sensitive to UV light. If you are expectant, consult your GP before usage.
So you‘ve completed the above list and responded to NO to all the questions and want to make use of a sunbed because looking fine and feeling amazing is what having a tan is all about and why 70% people in the UK want one!
Whether or not it’s an all-year-tan, a pre-holiday boost, vitamin D boost or you just want to look good for that unique 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