Sunbeds Make Worrying Gen Z Comeback
Expert Comment in The Standard
UK Mole Expert Dr Ross Perry provided his advice on sunbeds for a feature in The Standard.
The article was entitled:
“‘I once went four times in a week’ — how sunbeds made a comeback amongst Gen Z”
Experts have been both surprised and concerned at the reemergence of indoor tanning.
Originally popular in the 80s, 90s and noughties; sunbeds have fallen out of favour as the risks of tanning are much better understood.
Any UV radiation can damage the DNA in skin cells and lead to skin cancer, but the artificial UV in sunbeds is high intensity and thus even more dangerous.
The WHO (World Health Organisation) has classed sunbeds alongside cigarettes and asbestos, such is the level of danger and risk they pose. Using a sunbed just once makes a person 20% more likely to develop melanoma than someone who hasn’t. The figure increases to a massive 59% for under-35s using a sunbed for the first time.
Sunbeds are now banned in Australia, Brazil and Iran. In the UK, sunbed use under the age of 18 was banned in 2010, but it remains legal for over 18s; even though Melanoma is on the rise.
Yet despite the shocking figures, Melanoma Focus, found that an astonishing 28% of UK adults use sunbeds, rising to 43% 18 to 25-year-olds.
Fans claim that many people use them for the ‘feel good’ factor as well as the aesthetics of having a tan.
In addition, social media is believed to play a big role in normalising sunbed use. #sunbed content on TikTok has over 900 million views as users share tips and experiences.
Dr Ross Perry MBBS, Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, provided his expert advice for the feature:
“No tan is a safe tan unless it comes out of a bottle I’m afraid.
“Social media, namely TikTok and Instagram, are glamourising and normalising having a deep tan from using a sunbed… we become absorbed into thinking there are no dangers attached, and this is a huge problem,
“Ultimately, when our body tans, it’s a reaction to damage in the skin cells as it’s exposed to UV radiation, so no matter how infrequent, it’s still not a wise thing to do.
“It may seem fun and harmless when you’re young, but the risks attached in later life just aren’t worth it.”
Read the article in full at https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/sunbed-tanning-beds-gen-z-tiktok-melanoma-risk-dangers-b1180205.html.
Dr Ross Perry
Dr Ross Perry often assists the media with his explanations and information. He has extensive experience as an NHS GP and skin cancer reconstruction doctor alongside his private work as Founder and Medical Director of the London Mole Removal Centre.
He is renowned as an expert in removal of skin lesions. He has removed thousands of moles in his role as Medical Director and founder of Cosmedics Skin Clinics including the London mole Removal Centre.
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