Sun beds banned for under-18s
“It was a week before my high school prom, and a misunderstanding at the tanning shop resulted in me spending 20 minutes instead of 10 on a liedown tanning bed,”
recalls a UAL student, who at the age of 17 suffered from severe sunburn.
This is not an isolated case and the Government has decided to focus on the underage use of tanning shops and is backing the bill prohibiting under-18s from using sun beds.
Similar legislation was passed in Scotland in 2008.
“I have a light complextion and this is why I decided to use the shop in the first place.
"After returning home I had multiple burns, mainly on my eyelids and lips and my skin peeled” the anonymous student went on to say.
“I was forced to remain horizontal, covered in a bed sheet for number of days, as I was unable to wear any clothes.
"For the next six months my skin was severely damaged.”
Risks
While most teenagers are aware of the skin-damaging effects casued by prolonged sun exposure, 20 per cent of 11-17 year olds say they have used one.
Unfortunately, many fail to realise that certain skin types are only able to cope with a certain amount of sun exposure.
The risks of using a sun bed are quite clear, but these are soon forgotten at the thought of showing off that golden tan.
According to Cancer Research UK, sun beds are estimated to cause around 100 deaths a year from melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
Skin ageing, eye damage and burns are also some of the more common side effects.
Many teenagers still ignore the warnings and carry on cooking themselves with the attitude “it will never happen to me”.
However, these unwanted effects are real and can be fatal.
In the earlier mentioned case, the effects weren’t permanent, but for some it can lead to life threatening illnesses.
The ban is seen as a step forward in preventing young men and women from damaging their skin and putting their lives at risk.
While glowing skin does look good and can improve your self-esteem, you should use sunbeds with care, limiting each session to five minutes for light skin types and 10 for more olive complexions.
What are the alternatives?
Embracing your own natural complexion isn’t that bad after all.
Stores such as Boots and Superdrug are packed with products claiming to give you a "natural looking tan."
Rimmel’s Sun Shimmer comes in different shades ranging from fair to dark, and matt to glimmer.
If a more permanent tan is what you are after, St Tropez’s range of tanning products is endless and you will surely find one that’s right for you.
Daily moisturisers such as Johnson’s Holiday Skin, protect your skin as well as giving you that glowing complexion.
Most products do what they say on the tin, but if you’re unsure how to use them, and there’s a special occasion looming, a professional spray tan could be the answer.
Most beauty salons do them and they are reasonably priced. It may not have crossed your mind but why not remain your natural colour?
Many people embrace their fair complexions and actually look better than their orange counterparts.
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