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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 stopping under 18s from having access to sunbeds. The Sunbed Hire Directory is totally supportive of this act and was already advocating for the refusal of hire sunbeds to Under 18’s even before the legislation was effected.

Any business that supplies a sunbed for hire to a customer has to make sure that they provide sufficient guidelines on the safe usage of such equipment. The guidelines would need to explain how to correctly use the hardware, damage that can be caused from excessive usage, that under 18’s must not use the equipment plus also that the equipment has to be properly marked with cautions.

Apart from this Sunbed Hire operators should 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 cap of 0.3 W/m2

Well what does this mean? Well essentially the regulations state that the 0.3 W/m2 optimum irradiance limit for UV tanning equipment is based on the judgement 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 in the Mediterranean. Simply put the safe limit is meant to match sunbed output to the optimum that human Caucasians have biologically evolved to deal with.

Advertisers included on this directory are impartial business operators and have a duty to adhere to any such legislation, which may pertain to the operation of their business. The Sunbed Hire Directory agrees to no obligation for the failing of a sunbed hire business not adhering to any such legislation and urges customers to check with their supplier prior to organizing the hire of sunbed equipment.

Question: Is sunbed usage dangerous?

Response: Sunbeds offer health benefits and also some health hazards if not made use of smartly. Before hiring a sunbed please take some time to read the details listed below.

The 4 essential elements we rely upon for our lives and wellbeing are air, water, earth and sunlight. If we take any of these elements away, then quite simply, we would definitely not exist! There would certainly be no life without the sunlight– however life with too much sunlight may not be good either.

Ultraviolet Rays

UVC, UVB as well as UVA– are emitted by the sunlight. UVC rays, one of the most harmful to the human system, are removed by the upper atmosphere yet some UVB (which can lead to sunburn as well as eye damage) as well as UVA, reach the earth’s surface. The intensity relies on the angle of the sun– ie the geographical location, season and time of day. UV levels can increase by as high as 50% in between 11am and 1pm!

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

Sunbed lamps imitate the sun and emit UVA and UVB but they go a stage further and control the outcome with a balance of UV to minimise the threat of burning as well as maximise the tanning. As we understand– no-one regulates the sun! Sunbed lamp technology undergoes on-going research and development programmes to keep up with researched evidence on the impacts of UV.

A couple of additional hints and suggestions

  • You should always take out make-up as well as cosmetics prior to tanning.
  • Be sure to remove jewellery to create that all over tan.
  • If taking medicines be sure to find out whether they affect the light sensitivity of your skin. If in doubt, consult your physician
  • Do not use sun-protection lotions.
  • Ensure the equipment is spruced up prior to tanning.
  • Determine your skin type as this is the basis for your highest exposure time.
  • Set the exposure period on the sunbed for your skin type. Be sure to observe the guidance of the manufacturer and salon operator to avoid sunburn and also obtain that excellent tan progressively.
  • 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 very same day.

Sunbed Exceptions

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

  • Are you aged below 18?
  • Do you normally burn in natural direct sunlight?
  • Do you have a health condition that worsens in sunlight?
  • Do you have an excessive volume of moles and/or freckles?
  • Do you have a background of sunburn, particularly 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 medication or drugs, please check with your GP or pharmacist prior to using a sunbed as some medications make the skin more sensitive to UV light. If you are pregnant, consult your GP prior to usage.

So you‘ve completed the above checklist and answered NO to all the questions and intend to use a sunbed because looking fine and feeling wonderful is what having a tan is all about and why 70% of us in the UK desire one!

Whether it’s an all-year-tan, a pre-holiday boost, vitamin D boost or you just intend to look great for that unique occasion renting a sunbed may 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