Recent research in Cork has found that a large percentage of Irish people still use sunbeds, prompting Tánaiste Micheál Martin to announce he would back a sunbed ban as “they are carcinogenic”. His comments come after a recent survey from South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital and University College Cork found over 41% of people have used a sunbed, while some 10.6% of people had used a sunbed in the last year, despite knowing the health risks.
Prof Nicola Ralph, consultant dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists, told the Irish Examiner that sunbeds contribute to early signs of ageing and put the user at risk of developing skin cancer. “The only safe tan is a fake tan,” Ralph says. “We all love to see the sun shine and feel the heat on our skin but unfortunately UV radiation not only puts you at risk of developing skin cancer but also contributes to ageing, including the development of wrinkles, broken capillaries and brown spots on the skin.
” She says using a sunbed even once can increase your risk of developing melanoma by up to 60%. “We know that sunbeds are dangerous and put you at risk of developing both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, of which there are over 13,000 cases per year in Ireland and this figure is due to double by 2040. Even one sunbed increases your risk of melanoma by 20% and if one uses a sunbed before aged 35 years this increases to 60%.
” Ralph says sunscreen is the most important step in your skincare routine a.