Dermatologists have hit out at “misleading and potentially dangerous” claims made by the body that represents the UK’s sunbed salons which insists tanned skin protects against sunburn.
The Sunbed Association made the claim on its website when answering frequently asked questions about sunbeds, tanning and UV radiation.
One question asks: “Is it true there is no such thing as a safe tan?” The answer: “No. Tanned skin protects against sunburn”.
It added that sunburn is “thought to be the main cause of melanoma” and that “if you avoid getting sunburned, the benefits of moderate sun exposure will far outweigh the risks”.
But dermatologists have stressed that a tan is not a sign of health and instead say it is a sign of skin damage that can increase the risk of cancer.
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer causing about 2,600 deaths a year in the UK. Nearly 9 in 10 cases of melanoma are caused by exposure to too much UV radiation from the sun and sunbeds.
“A tan is a sign of skin damage and it doesn’t protect you from further damage to your skin. There’s also no need to use sunbeds, sunbathe or risk sunburn to get enough Vitamin D,” Sophie Brooks, health information manager at Cancer Research UK told the Independent.
“Some people are more at risk of skin cancer than others, including those with lighter skin tones, lots of freckles or moles, or a history of burning easily. But everyone who uses sunbeds increases their risk of cancer,” She added.
Dermatologist Dr Justine Kluck also said the website’s statement is “misleading”.
“The idea that the benefits of tanning outweigh the risks is not supported by current medical evidence. Both sunbeds and excessive sun exposure expose the skin to UV radiation, which is a recognised carcinogen and increases the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma,” she told the Independent.
“For most people, adequate vitamin D can be obtained through normal day-to-day outdoor activities during the spring, summer and autumn without the need to intentionally tan or use sunbeds,” she added.
Dr Rakesh Anand, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson called the claims around tanning on the website a “myth”.
“This advice is misleading and potentially dangerous,” he said.
“When skin darkens, it is responding to injury to the DNA in skin cells; that DNA damage is precisely what can lead to skin cancer, including melanoma, over time. You cannot build up a tan to shield yourself; the very process of tanning is causing harm.”
Gary Lipman, the chairman of The Sunbed Association, doubled down on the body’s claim, insisting that tanning is a “protective response”.
“When your skin tans it is producing more melanin in response to UV exposure. Melanin helps absorb and disperse UV radiation, offering some natural protection against further UV damage. In people with darker skin tones, higher baseline melanin provides measurable protection against sunburn and sunburn must always be avoided,” he told the Independent.
“A mild tan can actually increase the skin’s natural SPF but only by a very low amount so care should always be taken when tanning not to over-expose to UV radiation resulting in erythema/burning,” he added.
He stressed that people should “tan responsibly” whether that is in the sun or on a sunbed.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classed sunbeds to be as dangerous as smoking. Using a sunbed before the age of 20 increases the risk of melanoma skin cancer by 47 per cent compared to those who have never used one.