Despite their popularity in Dundee, Angus and beyond, sunbeds have long been an issue of contention.
And it is a subject that is once again under public scrutiny, after tanning chain Indigo Sun was reported to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for claiming ultraviolet (UV) rays are beneficial to health.
Despite the dangers, the tanning devices remain popular, with 28% of adults in the UK saying they use sunbeds.
We meet the people in Dundee and Angus happy to take the risk and ask the experts for the latest in sunbed science.
Users of sunbeds in Angus and Dundee share their experiences
Ava Lochi, 21, co-owns beauty parlour House of Gold in Monifieth.
She has been using sunbeds regularly since she was 18.
The beautician has also offered the service in her salon since it opened in 2023.
She claims there are pros and cons to using the tanning devices.
“Sunbeds have a lot of benefits,” Ava says.
“We have about three or four older customers who come in for health reasons. They only actually go on for around four minutes.
“There’s a lady who’s got a tremor in her hand, but the sunbed helps her a lot with that.”
Ava also believes that sunbeds offer mood-boosting properties and can improve certain skin conditions.
“One of my friends has got really bad psoriasis, and the sunbed clears that up,” she explains.
“I will say it’s quite good for acne. If I’ve got a spot or things like that, I’ll go on the sunbed and it will totally dry it away.”
Beautician concedes that overuse of sunbeds can lead to ‘disadvantages’
However, Ava says there are “disadvantages” to sunbeds when they are overused.
“A lot of the younger generation and, shockingly, the older generation as well are overusing sunbeds,” she says.
“This can lead to disadvantages, like melanoma, hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.”
House of Gold is in the process of removing its sunbeds to expand its range of skin treatments.
Ava says: “We’re not removing the sunbeds because of the negative sides of it, or anything like that, because I love sunbeds myself.
“I just felt like sunbeds didn’t align with the skin health route we’re trying to go down.”
Another fan of sunbeds is Leanne Tambini, who is the manager at TanXpress in Hawkhill, Dundee.
The 46-year-old mum has been using them since she was about 18. She now enjoys two or three sessions a week.
Is she worried about the harmful effects?
“No, because I feel that I don’t overdo it,” she says. “I know what my skin can take.
“I don’t tend to burn, and I think that is what is a potential risk.”
‘Our sunbed salon has only gotten busier’
She adds that she regularly checks her moles for early signs of skin cancer.
Like Ava, Leanne believes sunbeds make people feel happier.
“The benefits are the vitamin D you get from the lights,” she says.
“I think it makes people feel happier.
“When it’s not sunny, it’s nice to have a little boost of something.”
One student nurse from Dundee, who did not wish to be named, tells me she has been using sunbeds regularly for two years to keep her skin clear.
The 21-year-old says: “I have eczema and acne, so I feel like it clears my skin up.
“And I feel like just being tanned makes you feel better. It gives me a confidence boost.”
Is she concerned about the risk of skin cancer?
“I’m obviously cautious,” she says.
“It’s the same as everything else. There’s always a risk to everything, so it doesn’t bother me.
“If I’ve got a mole, I’ll take a photo of it so I know if it changes.
“I’ve been to the doctors once to check my moles and they weren’t concerned.”
Why is ASA investigating Indigo Sun?
Stirling-based Indigo Sun, which has more than 100 salons across the UK and three in Dundee, is being investigated by ASA after it cited research by Edinburgh University, which it claimed showed that people who use sunbeds live longer.
NHS Forth Valley dermatologist Dr Amy Perkins made the complaint.
Edinburgh University did conduct research into the benefits of increased vitamin D through exposure to sunlight. But its author stressed it did not say sunbeds increase life expectancy.
Tanning fans in Dundee and Angus warned sunbeds not a good source of vitamin D
According to NHS Inform, sunbeds have been shown to increase the risk of skin cancer and sunburn, cause premature ageing and weaken the immune system.
Despite the popular theory that sunbeds are a good source of vitamin D, Professor Sally Ibbotson, honorary consultant dermatologist for NHS Tayside, says this is not the case.
She says: “The optimal wavelengths to produce vitamin D in skin are UVB, whereas sunbeds predominantly emit UVA, so they are not a good source of vitamin D.
“Any low-level short-term increases in vitamin D from sunbed use don’t justify the risk of exposure to this unnecessary carcinogen.
“Rather than sunbed use, vitamin D supplements, or other appropriate treatment options for conditions such as acne or psoriasis are advised.
“Furthermore, if a light-based treatment is required for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this would typically be a visible light-emitting device, not a UVA sunbed.”
Ibbotson, who is also a professor of photodermatology at Dundee University, adds that there is “no such thing as a safe tan”.
She says: “Sunbeds are classified as being a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and are associated with significantly increased risks of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
“Those who start using sunbeds at a young age are particularly susceptible to this increased skin cancer risk, with melanoma risk increased by as much as 75%.
“Chronic use of sunbeds also significantly contributes to skin ageing.
“It is important that people are aware that there is no such thing as a safe tan. Tanning means there is DNA damage.
Indigo Sun ‘stands by decision’ to share research by Edinburgh University
Indigo Sun chief executive Frank Taylor says he “stands by” the company’s decision to share the Edinburgh University research.
He says: “Everyone at Indigo Sun understands the risks of excessive UV exposure, which is why we have long championed responsible, moderate tanning practices.
“Our continuously trained staff implement the sector’s most rigorous safety measures: customer screening, strictly controlled session limits and the highest-grade regulated equipment.
“Thankfully there is a growing base of customers throughout the UK that understand and value our ethos – and choose to come to us knowing the level of trust and responsibility that is associated with our brand.”
He added: “There is also not sufficient awareness of the growing consensus that vitamin D deficiency, especially prevalent in Scotland, is linked to increased mortality risks from cardiovascular disease and a number of cancers.
“That’s why we feel it is important to engage with credible new research, like the recent University of Edinburgh study, which presents compelling evidence from a 350,000- person sample, of broad health and longevity benefits linked to healthy levels of UV exposure and vitamin D.
“While we will respect the outcome of the ASA investigation, we stand by our decision to share the study’s findings, which are fully cited, peer reviewed publicly available, and open for scrutiny.”
Conversation