Why are we still addicted to sunbeds?

the risk – the chance of melanoma increases by 1.8% for each session.

According to Cancer Research UK an estimated 86% of melanomas in the UK (around 11,500 cases) every year are linked to too much exposure to sunlight and sunbed use. The World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer lists UV tanning beds in its highest cancer risk category – alongside cigarettes and asbestos. Experts say that many sunbed users are still misinformed – and think it’s actually safer than sun exposure. There’s the assumption that as long as you limit your time on a bed and don’t burn, you’re doing yourself no harm.

“Many people think they offer a controlled way to get a safe, healthy I thought I looked nicer and healthier when I had a tan. I’d use a sunbed two or three times a week for a couple of weeks before a holiday to get a ‘base tan’, naively thinking it would help prevent me from burning.

I’d wear a low factor 15 sunscreen and often oil as I thought it would help me get a better tan.

I had a mole removed and it was cancerous. It was so scary. I had a Some cancer organisations around the world are calling for tanning salons to display health warnings – similar to those required on cigarette packets.

“Better education around skin cancer and the dangers of tanning is key, and we are keen to see better health warnings,” says Matthew. “However, there needs to be a culture shift as well –people shouldn’t have to feel like they are choosing between their health and feeling attractive.

“Fake tan is one option. However, it does risk perpetuating our obsession with tans. But it is for each individual to decide what is best for them.”

HAVING BEATEN SKIN CANCER, I NOW ALWAYS USE FAKE TAN

further operation to remove a larger area from my thigh as well as lymph nodes from my groin. A few weeks later, a nurse informed me that thankfully the cancer hadn’t spread so I didn’t need any further urgent treatment.

Scarily, a lot of my sixth form college students use sunbeds and don’t normally wear sunscreen because they feel they look nicer with a tan. I often chat to them about the dangers of the sun and sunbeds. I’m still very open about the fact that I like to be tanned, but now I use fake tan instead and would never step foot near a sunbed again. If I could stop everyone from using them, I would.

Now I wear a factor 30 sunscreen, and reapply as often as I can. A tan lasts such a short time, but the potential damage it can cause may last a lifetime.