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In the 1930s, Coco Channel returned to Paris from the South of France with her skin a golden brown and set a fashion trend which has continued to the present day. Many of us seek that "Look Good - Feel Good" factor which a tan provides.

The four main elements that we rely on for our lives and well being are air, water, earth and sunlight. Take any of these forces away and we quite simply would not exist. There would be no life without the sun - but life with too much sun is not good either.Ultraviolet rays - A, B and C - are emitted by the sun. UVC is dangerous to humans but does not reach earth as it is absorbed by the upper atmosphere. UVB and UVA do reach the earth's surface at an intensity which depends on the position of the sun, for example, UV rays are stronger in summer than in winter, and when the sun is more overhead around the middle of the day. UVB carries more energy than UVA so exposure to UVB is more likely to cause sunburn and eye damage. UV rays are invisible so people outside in sunlight are not aware that they can be exposing themselves to high levels of UV and warnings of sunburn often come too late. Sunburn and overexposure can lead to skin damage.

Sunbed lamps simulate the sun's ultraviolet rays and emit UVB and UVA but they go a stage further and control the output by reducing the levels of UVB to minimise the risk of burning and maximize tanning. Controlled time settings for sunbed sessions prevent overexposure common to many sunbathing holidays so provide a safer and more comfortable tanning experience.
No one controls the sun!

Sunbed sessions will prepare our skin for stronger outside sun but will not offer total protection so gradual exposure is still necessary.

Our skin is designed with a mechanism to protect us from UV rays - this mechanism produces a tan and thickens the outer layer of the skin.

When exposed to UV rays, cells deep in our skin produce more pigment - melanin - which 'browns' as it rises to the skin's surface and a tan develops. This process can take between 3 to 5 days - so a tan takes time and patience to build. If this process is not allowed to develop at its natural pace it will result in sunburn. Our skin has a natural repair mechanism but if this is triggered off too frequently, it may become exhausted and result in permanent damage to the skin.

People will react differently to UV rays depending on the type of skin they have and their ability to tan which in turn is determined by hereditary factors. Before using a sunbed, get to know your skin type so that you can follow a tanning programme according to your skin's tanning ability. The skin of some very fair people contains very little melanin and they cannot produce it so they do not tan. They should not sunbathe or use a sunbed.

A sunbed is designed to provide a gradual tanning programme without burning and accommodates different skin types.

BEFORE YOU USE A SUNBED

• Make sure you know how to switch it off
• Read all the instructions
• Remove body and facial cosmetics, jewellery and contact lenses
• Do not use outdoor sun lotions or sunscreen
• ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE GOGGLES
• IF YOU NOTICE ANY ABNORMAL SKIN REACTION WHILE USING THE SUNBED, STOP IMMEDIATELY AND SEEK ADVICE
• Never exceed the recommended length or number of sessions.
• NO DOUBLE SESSIONS
• Never sunbathe on the same day and wait at least 24 hours before taking another session.
  As with natural sunlight, UV rays may pose a risk to certain people.

DO NOT USE A SUNBED IF:

• You are under 16
• You are taking medicines or drugs which increase sensitivity to UV rays or have a medical condition that becomes worse in sunlight
• You or anyone in your immediate family have had skin cancer
• You have fair, sensitive skin, and do not tan in sunlight
• You have an excessive number of moles and/or freckles
• You have a history of sunburn especially in childhood
• lf you are pregnant, consult a doctor before use.
• when using a(100 watt) sunbed  your first session should be 3 minutes for skin type 3 and 2 minutes for skin type 2 (fair skin) slowly building up your session times each day by 3 minutes or 2 minutes (fair skin).max time 20 minutes skin type 3 and 15 minutes skin type 2 (fair skin)
• when using a (200 watt) sunbed your first session should be 2 minutes skin type 3 and 1 minute skin type 2 (fair skin) slowly building up your session times each day by 2 minutes or 1 minute skin type 2 (fair skin) Max time 10 minutes skin type 3 and 6 minutes skin type 2 (fair skin)
• Always leave 48 hours before 2nd session
• sunbeds not to be moved once installed
• contact 01282 459292 for any help and advice

REMEMBER - IF IN DOUBT, CONSULT A DOCTOR

Information supplied by the Sunbed Association

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