The widespread use of commercial sunbeds in the UK continues to raise concerns despite growing awareness of their dangers, prompting calls for stricter regulations akin to those in Australia, Brazil, and Iran where they are banned.
A recent survey commissioned by tanning brand Vita Liberata revealed that one in three British women surveyed still use indoor tanning beds, despite 91% acknowledging the associated risks of UV radiation exposure. This includes a significantly heightened risk of developing skin cancer, notably melanoma, which is the deadliest form.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of indoor sunbeds poses risks comparable to asbestos and cigarettes. Shockingly, even a single session increases the risk of melanoma by 20% compared to non-users, with early exposure before the age of 35 increasing the risk by a staggering 59%. Sunbeds are also implicated in other skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, which are more common but still deadly.
Despite regulations restricting sunbed use to individuals over 18 for the past 12 years, their allure remains strong among young people, evident from the popularity of sunbed-related content on platforms like TikTok, where hashtags like #tanningsalon garner millions of views.
Social media platforms like TikTok are under scrutiny for perpetuating misinformation about sunbeds. Contrary to popular belief circulated on these platforms, sunbeds do not effectively prepare skin for sun exposure, offer minimal vitamin D benefits, and can exacerbate skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema over time. Dermatologists emphasize the controlled UV treatments they administer as safer alternatives for such conditions.
Amidst the proliferation of misinformation online, there are growing calls for platforms like TikTok to implement measures to combat false claims, similar to those introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the sheer volume and variety of misinformation surrounding skin health pose significant challenges.
The debate over sunbeds underscores ongoing concerns about public health and the need for more stringent regulations and accurate information dissemination to mitigate their risks effectively.
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