Safety Advice

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010, came into force on the 8 April 2011 to help safeguard the most vulnerable by preventing under 18s from gaining access to sunbeds. The Sunbed Hire Directory is completely supportive of this regulation and was currently advocating for the refusal of hire sunbeds to Under 18’s before the regulation was announced.

Every business that provides a sunbed for rental to a consumer needs to see to it that they supply sufficient directions on the safe usage of such equipment. The directions would certainly need to detail precisely how to correctly make use of the product, injury that can be caused from extreme usage, that under 18’s must not make use of the equipment and also that the equipment has to be correctly marked with warnings.

Apart from this Sunbed Hire operators need to 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 mentioned, defines a cap of 0.3 W/m2

Well what does this imply? Well essentially the laws specify that the 0.3 W/m2 maximum irradiance limit for UV tanning equipment is based on the judgement of the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP), and as a comparison it represents the intenseness of the midday sun in the summer in the Mediterranean. Simply put the safe limit is meant to match sunbed output to the maximum that human Caucasians have naturally grown to manage.

Advertisers included on this directory are impartial business operators and have a duty to adhere to any such laws, which may be relevant to the operation of their business enterprise. The Sunbed Hire Directory agrees to no liability for the failing of a sunbed hire business not abiding by any such legislation and encourages consumers to contact their distributor prior to organizing the rental of sunbed equipment.

Question: Is sunbed usage dangerous?

Answer: Sunbeds provide health benefits and also some health hazards if not made use of smartly. Before renting a sunbed please take a while to read the information below.

The four main aspects we depend on for our lives and wellness are air, water, earth and sunlight. If we take any of these aspects away, then quite simply, we would not exist! There would be no life without the sunlight– however life with way too much sunlight may not be great either.

Ultraviolet Rays

UVC, UVB as well as UVA– are released by the sunlight. UVC rays, one of the most harmful to the human system, are strained by the upper atmosphere yet some UVB (which can cause sunburn as well as eye damage) as well as UVA, reach the earth’s surface. The strength relies on the angle of the sun– ie the geographical position, season and time of day. UV levels can increase by as high as 50% in between 11am and 1pm!

UV is undetectable. People outdoors are exposed to varying degrees of UV and they are quite often unaware of the UV strength. Regrettably, warnings of sunburn normally appear too late. A study in Denmark showed that beach sunbathers exposed themselves for approximately three-and-a-half hours a day.

Sunbed lamps simulate the sun and discharge UVA and UVB but they go a step further and control the result with a balance of UV to reduce the threat of burning as well as maximise the tanning. As we know– no-one regulates the sun! Sunbed lamp technology goes through on-going research and development programmes to keep up with researched proof on the impacts of UV.

A couple of additional hints and ideas

  • Never fail to take out make-up as well as cosmetics prior to tanning.
  • Make sure you take off jewellery to generate that all over tan.
  • If taking medications always check whether they influence the light sensitivity of your skin. If in doubt, consult your doctor
  • Do not make use of sun-protection creams.
  • See to it the equipment is cleaned prior to tanning.
  • Establish your skin kind as this is the basis for your highest exposure time.
  • Set the exposure time on the sunbed for your skin type. Make sure you observe the recommendations of the supplier and salon operator to prevent sunburn and also get that ideal tan progressively.
  • Always wear safety 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 exemptions. If you answer YES to any of the questions below, you should NOT make use of a sunbed:

  • Are you aged below 18?
  • Do you normally burn in natural direct sunlight?
  • Do you have a medical problem 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 your younger years?
  • Do you suffer skin cancer or does any member of your immediate household have/had skin cancer?

Furthermore, if you are on any kind of medication or drugs, please contact your General Practitioner or pharmacist prior to using a sunbed as specific medications make the skin extra sensitive to UV light. If you are pregnant, consult your General Practitioner prior to usage.

So you‘ve completed the above checklist and answered NO to all the questions and wish to make use of a sunbed because looking good and feeling amazing is what having a tan is all about and why 70% people in the UK want one!

Whether it’s an all-year-tan, a pre-holiday boost, vitamin D boost or you just wish to look great for that special event renting a sunbed may be the remedy.

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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