When it comes to radiation, some of the most dangerous home-use appliances are sun beds. They produce ultraviolet radiation with which it is possible to tan, and in a worst case, burn skin. A permanent tan and repeated burning of the skin significantly increases the risk of skin cancer. Use of sun beds should be limited.

Acquiring a tan from a solarium is not safer than exposure to natural sunlight. The damage caused by UV radiation is the same, independent of the source. Studies published over the last few years show that heavy use of sun beds increases the risk of melanoma. The damage caused depends on the power of the sun bed, individual skin sensitivity, and how heavy the use is.

The use of a sun bed during pregnancy does not damage the development of a foetus. The effects of the UV radiation are limited to the mother’s skin. 

Checklist for sunbed user

• A visit to a solarium should not be so long that the skin is red after the session. Be especially careful during the first session, especially if the skin is not already tanned. Five minutes is a suitable starting time for most people. Adjust the session length depending on your skin type

• Follow all instructions for the device and use it for as long as recommended in the user instructions. Personnel at a tanning facility must give instructions to users without being asked for them.

• Many ill-effects of UV radiation depend on the amount of radiation exposure accrued over a lifetime. Limit your number of sessions per year to ten times, and monitor your exposure to sunlight.

• Always use eye protection. Keeping your eyes closed does not offer enough protection for the strong UV radiation of a sun bed. 

• If you are using some kind of medication, consult with your physician before visiting the solarium. Certain pharmaceuticals increase the sensitivity of the skin to light. 

• Remove all cosmetic products before using a sun bed. Products which claim to deepen a tan should not be used. Certain cosmetic products increase the sensitivity of the skin to light, and increase the risk of burning.

• You should not try to treat skin diseases yourself by using a sun bed. Ask for advice from your dermatologist. There are special UV devices for medicinal use. 

• Monitor your skin and consult your physician if moles on your skin begin to shrink, bleed, grow, or change in appearance. The possibility of curing skin cancer is much greater if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage.

A sun bed shall not be used if

• you are under 18 years of age
• your skin is sensitive to the sun and you tan poorly
• you have been in the sun on the same day
• you use medication which causes sensitivity to UV radiation or you are ill

• you or a relative have or have had skin cancer

The decree by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM ), which limits exposure to non-ionising radiation:

states the maximum exposure to ultraviolet exposure, significantly limiting the use of sun beds. Persons under the age of 18 years should not use sun beds unless under doctor’s orders. 

In addition the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) and other Nordic radiation protection and health authorities from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland stated in February 2005 that one should avoid the use of sun beds for tanning.

A closer look at sun beds

The safety requirements of solarium equipment are based on the European standard and the decree by the STM . The requirements are stated in more detail in STUK’s ST 9.1 directive (in Finnish), “ Radiation Safety Requirements and Regulatory Control of Tanning Appliances”. These instructions also deal with requirements concerning tanning facility and the person in charge.

In Finland, only so-called UV type 3 solarium equipment is permitted, keeping in accordance with STUK’s ST 9.1 directive. The permitted fluorescent lamps are listed listed on STUK’s web pages. Spot checks are used to ensure regulations are followed.

Learn more about UV radiation from the sun and sun beds from our experts, uvtiimi@stuk.fi.

Read also Regulation of sunbeds

Poster concerning sun beds