The scary truth behind sunbeds

Spring has sprung and yet the thought of exposing bare flesh to the public after months of winter woollies is bringing tears to your eyes.

If you’re finished with faking it and tempted to turn to sunbeds this year before holiday season kicks off, first consider the many dangers associated with sunbed use.

The Irish Cancer Society has warned that using a sunbed is not a safer way than the sun when getting a tan. It exposes your skin to UVA and UVB rays that damage your skin cells and can lead to skin cancer.

The sunbed industry in Ireland is not regulated and no safeguards are in place to protect those most vulnerable to UV damage that could lead to skin cancer.

The amount of UV radiation you get from a sunbed can be as much as 15 times higher than what you would get from the midday Mediterranean sun.

Research tells us that people who have used a sunbed, even just once, have a 15% increased risk of melanoma.

If you first use a sunbed before you were 30 years of age, your risk of getting melanoma is increased by 75%.

If you use a sunbed once a month or more, your risk of skin cancer may be increased by more than half.