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Safety Advice

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010, became effective on the 8 April 2011 to help safeguard the most vulnerable by refraining under 18s from gaining access to sunbeds. The Sunbed Hire Directory is fully supportive of this legislation and was already advocating for the refusal of hire sunbeds to Under 18’s well before the legislation was announced.

Any company that supplies a sunbed for hire to a consumer needs to see to it that they provide appropriate directions on the safe use such equipment. The directions will have to detail exactly how to correctly make use of the hardware, injury that can be caused from excessive use, that under 18’s must not make use of the equipment and also that the equipment has to be correctly marked with cautions.

In addition to 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 safe limits for UV radiance are stated, defines a cap of 0.3 W/m2

Well what does this suggest? Well basically the guidelines state that the 0.3 W/m2 maximum irradiance limit for UV tanning equipment is founded on the opinion of the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP), and as a comparison it corresponds to the intensity of the midday sun in the summer in the Mediterranean. Simply put the safe limit is intended to match sunbed output to the maximum that human Caucasians have biologically grown to manage.

Advertisers featured on this directory are independent business operators and have an obligation to adhere to any such regulations, which might relate to the operation of their business enterprise. The Sunbed Hire Directory agrees to no obligation for the failing of a sunbed hire business not adhering to any such regulation and urges customers to contact their vendor before organizing the hire of sunbed equipment.

Question: Is sunbed use dangerous?

Response: Sunbeds provide health advantages as well as some health hazards if not utilized properly. Prior to hiring a sunbed please take some time to review the information listed below.

The 4 crucial aspects we rely on for our lives and wellbeing are air, water, earth and sunlight. If we take any of these aspects away, then quite simply, we would definitely not exist! There would certainly be no life without the sunlight– yet life with too much sunlight might not be great either.

Ultraviolet Rays

UVC, UVB and UVA– are emitted by the sunlight. UVC rays, one of the most hazardous to the human system, are removed by the upper atmosphere but some UVB (which can lead to sunburn and eye damage) and UVA, get to the earth’s surface. The intenseness depends on the angle of the sun– ie the geographical setting, season and time of day. UV levels can rise by up to 50% between 11am and 1pm!

UV is invisible. People outdoors are exposed to varying levels of UV and they are quite often unaware of the UV intenseness. Regrettably, warnings of sunburn in many cases appear too late. A study in Denmark showed that beach sunbathers exposed themselves for an average of three-and-a-half hours a day.

Sunbed lamps mimic the sun and emit UVA and UVB but they go a step further and regulate the output with a balance of UV to reduce the risk of burning as well as maximise the tanning. As we understand– no-one regulates the sun! Sunbed lamp technology is subject to on-going research and development programmes to keep up with experimented evidence on the impacts of UV.

A couple of additional hints and ideas

  • Be sure to remove make-up as well as cosmetics prior to tanning.
  • Always remove jewellery to create that all over tan.
  • If taking medicines always check whether they affect the light sensitivity of your skin. If in doubt, talk to your doctor
  • Do not make use of sun-protection lotions.
  • See to it the equipment is spruced up prior to tanning.
  • Identify your skin type as this is the basis for your highest exposure time.
  • Set the exposure period on the sunbed for your skin type. Always observe the guidance of the supplier and salon operator to avoid sunburn and obtain that ideal tan progressively.
  • Be sure to wear protective goggles or equivalent eye protection when suntanning.
  • Do not tan on a sunbed and in the normal sun on the very same day.

Sunbed Exceptions

Many people can use a sunbed but there are exemptions. If you reply YES to each of the questions listed below, you should NOT make use of a sunbed:

  • Are you aged under 18?
  • Do you always burn in natural direct sunlight?
  • Do you have a health condition that becomes worse in sunlight?
  • Do you have an excessive amount of moles and/or freckles?
  • Do you have a history of sunburn, particularly from earlier childhood days?
  • Do you suffer skin cancer or does any member of your immediate household have/had skin cancer?

Also, if you are on any medication or drugs, please contact your General Practitioner or pharmacist prior to using a sunbed as certain medicines make the skin a lot more sensitive to UV light. If you are expectant, consult your General Practitioner prior to use.

So you have actually completed the above checklist and responded to NO to all the questions and want to make use of a sunbed since looking good and feeling great is what having a tan is all about and why 70% of us in the UK want one!

Whether it’s an all-year-tan, a pre-holiday boost, vitamin D boost or you only want to look good for that unique event renting a sunbed might be the answer.

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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