I must admit I'm personally not in the business of taking scientific advice from an article in the Mail. Another week they will be hosting an article by another top expert who says don't use sunbeds. I'd rather look to an unbiased study that takes into account opinions from a number of experts with unbiased critiques and then come to an opinion myself.
I notice the article was filled with lots of "may help", "could prevent", which never fills me with confidence. I also note that the WHO report says:
"on a sunny day, a fair-skinned person will achieve maximum Vitamin D production from exposing face and forearms to midday sunlight for five to ten minutes, up to three times a week. Short exposure gives the benefit and long exposure causes harm".
This to me says only minimal amounts of sun are needed to get to needed Vit D, and let's remember the sun is still out on a clear crisp winter's day. A sunbed certainly provides more UV than 5 to 10 mins of midday sunlight, which says to me using a sunbed to get enough Vitamin D is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. The article makes no mention either of other UV related problems, especially damage to the supportive structures in the dermis.
Personally for me, whilst I think sunbeds in moderation are fine (although as my grandfather died as a result of skin cancer I shall be keeping away from them), this article is a long way from demonstrating that "sunbeds are good for you".
Have to agree with Martin here. Whilst I would use sunbeds myself, and advise servere eczema, psoriasis and acne sufferes to use the sunbed for 3 minutes twice a week, to help ease their symptons they are still dangerous!
Like everything less is more. Society today means we get up in the dark, go to work in the dark, get our lunch delivered to us indoors and go home in the dark. Sunbeds have there place but I wouldnt be shouting from the roof tops that your clients can now hammer the sunbeds morning, noon and night because its good for them.
Instead offer equally balance advice. On the downside sunbeds will damage the skin if used too for too many minutes, too many times a week or when their skin is already damaged from previous sessions.
Your clients skin will age quicker as the collagen and elastin fibres are destroyed. The client will also show high signs of hyper pigmentation that will be evident when their tan goes away.
Quick courses to achieve colour is dangerous. Use once or twice a week for a few minutes regulary will cause less damage than 3 - 4 times a week for 12 minutes.
Advise your clients they should get off the sunbed the minute they feel too hot, or there skin becomes warm or tight. If they feel itchy, tender, or warm a few hours after the tan they are exposing themselves for too long and tell them to reduce the minutes they use, that is after they have rested there skin for a while.
Its up to us to educate the client of safety the same way a doctor would over excess use of certain medicines, or alcohol consumption etc.
Kate
