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 and offers her tips for application. “UV radiation is present all year round therefore it is important to incorporate sunscreen into your daily skincare routine to protect against both skin cancer formation and ageing,” she says. “Ideally use a broad spectrum SPF to protect against both UVA and UVB on the face, neck and back of the hands all year and to all sun-exposed sites during the summer months when more skin is exposed.
Sunscreen should be applied frequently (every two hours) and in adequate amounts (shot glass size for the entire body), or after swimming, towel drying and sweating. “My go-to daily sunscreen is Elta MD UV Elements (tinted) which adapts to one’s skin tone making it perfect for daily use with or without makeup. A style of clothing, use of a hat and sunglasses are also essential items to protect the skin from the damaging rays of the sun.
” For those seeking a sunkissed glow, Ralph says to fake it rather than bake it. “Fake tans have never been so cosmetically acceptable or easy to use. Always choose a fake tan over a real tan, as nothing looks more beautiful in your 50s and 60s than the use of sunscreen in your 20s.
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