Safety Advice

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

Any company that supplies a sunbed for rental to a consumer has to ensure they supply enough instructions on the safe use such equipment. The instructions would certainly have to explain how to properly use the hardware, injury that can be caused from extreme usage, that under 18’s must not use the equipment plus also that the equipment has to be accurately marked with warnings.

Aside 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 recommended limits for UV radiance are specified, specifies a limit of 0.3 W/m2

Well what does this suggest? Well basically the laws state that the 0.3 W/m2 maximum irradiance limit for UV tanning devices is founded on the opinion 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 season in the Mediterranean. In other words 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 a duty to adhere to any such laws, which might be relevant to the operation of their business. The Sunbed Hire Directory accepts no liability for the failing of a sunbed hire business not complying with any such regulation and urges consumers to contact their distributor before organizing the rental of sunbed equipment.

Question: Is sunbed usage unsafe?

Response: Sunbeds provide health benefits as well as some health hazards if not made use of smartly. Prior to renting a sunbed please take some time to read the details below.

The four fundamental elements we rely on for our lives and wellbeing are air, water, earth and sunlight. If we take any of these elements away, then quite simply, we would certainly not exist! There would definitely be no life without the sun– however life with way too much sun might not be good either.

Ultraviolet Rays

UVC, UVB and UVA– are released by the sun. UVC rays, one of the most dangerous to the human system, are strained by the upper atmosphere yet some UVB (which can lead to sunburn and eye damage) and UVA, reach the earth’s surface. The intenseness depends on the angle of the sun– ie the geographical location, 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 levels of UV and they are quite often not aware of the UV intenseness. Sadly, warnings of sunburn quite often appear too late. A survey in Denmark revealed that beach sunbathers exposed themselves for approximately three-and-a-half hours a day.

Sunbed lamps mimic the sun and give off UVA and UVB but they go a stage further and control the outcome with a balance of UV to reduce the threat 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 abreast of researched evidence on the impacts of UV.

A couple of additional hints and tips

  • Be sure to remove make-up as well as cosmetics before tanning.
  • Be sure to take off jewellery to create that all over tan.
  • If taking medications always find out whether they influence the light sensitivity of your skin. If in doubt, consult your physician
  • Do not use sun-protection creams.
  • See to it that the equipment is spruced up before tanning.
  • Establish your skin type as this is the basis for your maximum exposure time.
  • Adjust the exposure time on the sunbed for your skin type. Be sure to observe the recommendations of the supplier and salon operator to stay clear of sunburn and get that ideal tan progressively.
  • Always use protective goggles or similar eye protection when suntanning.
  • Do not tan on a sunbed and in the natural sun on the very same day.

Sunbed Exceptions

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

  • Are you aged under 18?
  • Do you normally burn in natural 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 background of sunburn, specifically from childhood?
  • Do you have skin cancer or does any member of your immediate family have/had skin cancer?

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

So you‘ve completed the above list and answered NO to all the questions and want to use 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!

Regardless of whether it’s an all-year-tan, a pre-holiday boost, vitamin D boost or you simply want to look good for that special occasion hiring a sunbed might 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