Safety Advice

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010, became effective on the 8 April 2011 to help protect the most vulnerable by preventing under 18s from using sunbeds. The Sunbed Hire Directory is totally supportive of this legislation and was already advocating for the refusal of hire sunbeds to Under 18’s even before the act was effected.

Any store that supplies a sunbed for hire to a consumer needs to make sure that they supply enough directions on the safe use such equipment. The directions would certainly need to explain how to correctly use the equipment, injury that can be caused from too much use, that under 18’s must not use the equipment plus also that the equipment has to be appropriately marked with cautions.

Apart from 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 recommended limits for UV radiance are mentioned, defines a limit of 0.3 W/m2

Well what does this mean? Well basically the laws state that the 0.3 W/m2 maximum irradiance cap for UV tanning equipment is founded on the judgement of the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP), and as a comparison it represents the severity of the midday sun in the summer time in the Mediterranean. To put it simply the safe limit is meant to match sunbed output to the maximum that human Caucasians have naturally grown to deal with.

Advertisers included on this directory are impartial business operators and have a responsibility to adhere to any such regulations, which might relate to the operation of their business enterprise. The Sunbed Hire Directory accepts no responsibility for the failure of a sunbed hire business not adhering to any such regulation and urges consumers to contact their distributor prior to arranging the hire of sunbed equipment.

Question: Is sunbed use risky?

Response: Sunbeds offer health benefits as well as some health hazards if not utilized sensibly. Before hiring a sunbed please take a while to review the info below.

The four crucial elements we depend on for our lives and wellness are air, water, earth and sunshine. If we take any one of these forces away, then quite simply, we would certainly not exist! There would be no life without the sunlight– but life with too much sunlight might not be good either.

Ultraviolet Rays

UVC, UVB as well as UVA– are emitted by the sunlight. UVC rays, one of the most dangerous to the human system, are filtered out by the upper atmosphere but some UVB (which can lead to sunburn as well as eye damage) as well as UVA, get to the earth’s surface. The intensity relies on the angle of the sun– ie the geographical place, season and time of day. UV levels can increase by as high as 50% between 11am and 1pm!

UV is invisible. People outdoors are exposed to varying levels of UV and they are quite often not aware of the UV intensity. Regrettably, alerts of sunburn quite often appear too late. A study in Denmark revealed that beach sunbathers exposed themselves for an average of three-and-a-half hours a day.

Sunbed lamps mimic the sun and give off UVA and UVB but they go a step further and manage the result with a balance of UV to reduce the danger of burning as well as maximise the tanning. As we understand– no-one regulates the sun! Sunbed lamp technology goes through on-going research and development programmes to keep abreast of experimented proof on the effects of UV.

A few additional hints and ideas

  • Never fail to remove make-up as well as cosmetics before tanning.
  • Be sure to remove jewellery to create that all over tan.
  • If taking medicines be sure to confirm whether they affect the light sensitivity of your skin. If in doubt, talk to your physician
  • Do not use sun-protection creams.
  • Make sure the equipment is cleaned before tanning.
  • Determine your skin kind as this is the basis for your maximum exposure time.
  • Adjust the exposure period on the sunbed for your skin type. Be sure to observe the advice of the manufacturer and salon operator to prevent sunburn and get that excellent tan gradually.
  • Make sure you wear protective goggles or comparable eye protection when suntanning.
  • Do not tan on a sunbed and in the normal sun on the same day.

Sunbed Exceptions

Most people are able to use a sunbed but there are exceptions. If you answer YES to any of the questions below, you must NOT use a sunbed:

  • Are you aged below 18?
  • Do you always burn in natural direct sunlight?
  • Do you have a medical condition that worsens in sunlight?
  • Do you have an excessive volume of moles and/or freckles?
  • Do you have a background of sunburn, particularly from your younger years?
  • Do you suffer skin cancer or does any member of your immediate household have/had skin cancer?

In addition, if you are on any prescription or drugs, please contact your GP or pharmacist before making use of a sunbed as specific medications make the skin extra sensitive to UV light. If you are expectant, consult your GP before use.

So you‘ve completed the above checklist and replied to NO to all the questions and intend to use a sunbed because looking good and feeling great is what having a tan is all about and why 70% people in the UK desire one!

Whether or not it’s an all-year-tan, a pre-holiday boost, vitamin D boost or you simply intend to look great for that special 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