Safety Advice

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

Any store that provides a sunbed for rental to a consumer needs to see to it that they provide enough instructions on the safe use such equipment. The instructions will need to detail how to correctly use the hardware, damage that can be caused from extreme use, that under 18’s must not use the equipment and also that the equipment needs to be appropriately 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 mentioned, defines a limit of 0.3 W/m2

Well what does this suggest? Well basically the guidelines specify that the 0.3 W/m2 maximum irradiance limit 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 intensity of the midday sun in the summer in the Mediterranean. In other words the safe limit is meant to match sunbed output to the maximum that human Caucasians have biologically grown to manage.

Advertisers included on this directory are impartial business operators and have a duty to abide by any such laws, which may relate to the operation of their business. The Sunbed Hire Directory accepts no liability for the failure of a sunbed hire business not adhering to any such regulations and urges consumers to consult their vendor before arranging the rental of sunbed equipment.

Question: Is sunbed use dangerous?

Response: Sunbeds provide health advantages as well as some health hazards if not used correctly. Before renting a sunbed please spend some time to review the information listed below.

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

Ultraviolet Rays

UVC, UVB as well as UVA– are emitted by the sunlight. UVC rays, one of the most unsafe to the human system, are strained 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 severity depends on the angle of the sun– ie the geographical setting, season and time of day. UV levels can increase by up to 50% in between 11am and 1pm!

UV is unnoticeable. Those outdoors are subjected to varying levels of UV and they are in most cases unaware of the UV severity. Unfortunately, alerts of sunburn in many cases come too late. A survey in Denmark disclosed that beach sunbathers exposed themselves for roughly three-and-a-half hours a day.

Sunbed lamps mimic the sun and produce UVA and UVB but they go a stage further and regulate the outcome with a balance of UV to cut down the danger 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 abreast of researched proof on the impacts of UV.

A few additional hints and ideas

  • Make sure you get rid of make-up as well as cosmetics before tanning.
  • Make sure you remove jewellery to create that all over tan.
  • If taking medications always confirm whether they influence the light sensitivity of your skin. If in doubt, talk to your doctor
  • Do not use sun-protection lotions.
  • See to it that the equipment is cleaned before tanning.
  • Establish your skin type as this is the basis for your highest exposure time.
  • Adjust the exposure period on the sunbed for your skin type. Make sure you observe the recommendations of the supplier and salon operator to stay clear of sunburn and also obtain that ideal tan gradually.
  • You should always put on safety goggles or equivalent eye protection when suntanning.
  • Do not tan on a sunbed and in the natural sun on the same day.

Sunbed Exceptions

Most people can use a sunbed but there are exemptions. If you answer YES to any one of the questions listed below, you should NOT use a sunbed:

  • Are you aged under 18?
  • Do you normally burn in natural sunlight?
  • Do you have a medical issue that worsens in sunlight?
  • Do you have an excessive volume of moles and/or freckles?
  • Do you have a history of sunburn, especially from earlier childhood days?
  • Do you have skin cancer or does any member of your immediate family have/had skin cancer?

Also, if you are on any kind of prescription or drugs, please consult your GP or pharmacist before using a sunbed as certain medicines make the skin much more sensitive to UV light. If you are pregnant, consult your GP before use.

So you have actually completed the above list and replied to NO to all the questions and want to use a sunbed since looking good and feeling amazing is what having a tan is all about and why 70% people in the UK want one!

Whether or not it’s an all-year-tan, a pre-holiday boost, vitamin D boost or you simply want to look good for that unique celebration renting a sunbed may 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