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Safety Advice

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010, became effective on the 8 April 2011 to help protect the most vulnerable by refraining under 18s from accessing sunbeds. The Sunbed Hire Directory is fully supportive of this regulation and was currently advocating for the refusal of hire sunbeds to Under 18’s well before the law was effected.

Every store that supplies a sunbed for hire to a consumer needs to see to it that they provide appropriate guidelines on the safe usage of such equipment. The guidelines would need to explain how to properly use the equipment, harm that can be caused from excessive usage, that under 18’s should not use the equipment and also that the equipment needs to be appropriately marked with warnings.

In addition to 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 guidelines specify that the 0.3 W/m2 maximum irradiance cap for UV tanning devices is founded on the opinion of the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP), and as a comparison it represents the severity of the midday sun in the summer time in the Mediterranean. To put it simply the safe limit is intended to match sunbed output to the maximum that human Caucasians have naturally grown to cope with.

Advertisers featured on this directory are independent business operators and have a duty to follow any such regulations, which may be relevant to the operation of their business. The Sunbed Hire Directory agrees to no responsibility for the failing of a sunbed hire business not complying with any such legislation and encourages consumers to get in touch with their vendor before organizing the hire of sunbed equipment.

Question: Is sunbed usage dangerous?

Answer: Sunbeds offer health benefits as well as some health risks if not used sensibly. Before hiring a sunbed please take some time to check out the information listed below.

The 4 crucial aspects we rely upon for our lives and wellness are air, water, earth and sunshine. If we take any of these forces away, then quite simply, we would not exist! There would undoubtedly be no life without the sun– however life with too much sun may not be better either.

Ultraviolet Rays

UVC, UVB as well as UVA– are released by the sun. UVC rays, one of the most dangerous 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, get to the earth’s surface. The intensity depends on the angle of the sun– ie the geographical location, season and time of day. UV levels can rise by up to 50% in between 11am and 1pm!

UV is unnoticeable. Those outdoors are exposed to varying levels of UV and they are often unaware of the UV intensity. Regrettably, warnings of sunburn very often come too late. A survey in Denmark showed that beach sunbathers exposed themselves for an average of three-and-a-half hours a day.

Sunbed lamps simulate the sun and emit UVA and UVB but they go a step further and manage the output with a balance of UV to reduce the risk of burning and also maximise the tanning. As we know– no-one controls the sun! Sunbed lamp technology is subject to on-going research and development programmes to keep abreast of experimented proof on the effects of UV.

A couple of additional hints and ideas

  • Be sure to remove make-up and also cosmetics prior to tanning.
  • Be sure to take off jewellery to generate that all over tan.
  • If on medications be sure to confirm whether they influence the light sensitivity of your skin. If in doubt, talk to your doctor
  • Do not use sun-protection lotions.
  • Make sure the equipment is cleaned prior to tanning.
  • Establish your skin type as this is the basis for your maximum exposure time.
  • Set the exposure time on the sunbed for your skin type. Be sure to observe the guidance of the manufacturer and salon operator to avoid sunburn and get that perfect tan gradually.
  • You should always wear safety goggles or comparable eye protection when suntanning.
  • Do not tan on a sunbed and in the natural sun on the same day.

Sunbed Exceptions

Lots of people can use a sunbed however there are exceptions. If you reply YES to any one of the questions listed below, you must NOT use a sunbed:

  • Are you aged under 18?
  • Do you normally burn in natural sunlight?
  • Do you have a medical issue that becomes worse 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?

In addition, if you are on any type of medication or drugs, please get in touch with your GP or pharmacist prior to making use of a sunbed as some drugs make the skin more sensitive to UV light. If you are pregnant, consult your GP prior to usage.

So you have actually completed the above checklist and replied to NO to all the questions and wish to use a sunbed since looking good and feeling wonderful is what having a tan is all about and why 70% of us in the UK want one!

Whether it’s an all-year-tan, a pre-holiday boost, vitamin D boost or you simply wish to look great for that unique event hiring a sunbed may be the remedy.

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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