A Stirling sunbed salon chain’s claim that tanning rays are beneficial to health is being probed by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
Dermatologist Dr Amy Perkins reported Indigo Sun after the firm cited research by Edinburgh University, which it claimed showed people who use sunbeds live longer.
Perkins, a dermatology specialist for NHS Forth Valley, told The Sunday Post she decided to act after young skin cancer patients told her they had been told that tanning would enhance their health by giving them high doses of Vitamin D.
On its website, Indigo Sun, which has salons across the UK and a £37 million-a-year turnover, says: “A groundbreaking study from the University of Edinburgh, published in Health & Place, has revealed a strong link between higher UV exposure and lower mortality rates.
“Using data from the UK Biobank, researchers found that people who experience more UV light – whether through natural sunlight or responsible solarium use – have a significantly lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.
“This research reinforces what we’ve always believed: responsible tanning and moderate UV exposure are not just about looking great – they’re about feeling great and supporting long-term health.”
Research into the benefits of increased Vitamin D through exposure to sunlight was carried out by the university, but its author stressed it did not say sunbeds increase life expectancy.
Forth Valley dermatologist says skin cancer patients are being misled by sunbed firms
Dr Perkins said: “I have seen a number of patients in clinics with metastatic stage four skin cancers who are upset and distressed by their diagnoses.
“They point to claims by sunbed companies which say that they could only enhance their health with high doses of vitamin D from the UVA rays.
“It’s concerning to see research about the health benefits of vitamin D being used out of context by sunbed companies to promote indoor tanning, when in fact the original study was about the benefits of natural sunlight, which is incredibly nuanced.
“UV radiation is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the highest risk category, alongside asbestos and arsenic.
One use of a sunbed under age 35 increases melanoma risk by up to 75%
“Just one use of a sunbed before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by up to 75%. It is known that around 85% of melanoma is preventable.”
Countries including Australia, Brazil and Iran have banned commercial sunbeds.
Perkins added: “While the UK has made it illegal for under-18s to use sunbeds, in practice I frequently hear from patients who were able to access them underage without age checks.
“Some of these patients are women and men in their early 20s.”
Dr Perkins, who campaigns to enhance patient safety in the cosmetic industry, said skin cancer surgery can be life-changing, and the treatment long and arduous.
A diagnosis at stage four means the skin cancer has spread to other organs in the body.
Patients at this stage have a five-year survival rate of around 50%, even with the best available treatments such as immunotherapy.
Dr Perkins added that vitamin D can be taken through natural food sources like oily fish, egg yolks, red meat, and fortified foods, including milk, yoghurt and cereals.
Sunbeds emit both UVA and UVB rays, and their intensity is higher than natural sunlight.
The sunbed industry has previously been warned by the ASA about health claims regarding sunbeds.
Indigo Sun advertises vitamin D as benefit of using sunbeds
Indigo Sun advertises vitamin D as a benefit on its main webpage, quoting research from Edinburgh University.
The research was carried out by Professor Richard Weller, an expert in medical dermatology.
He said: “Using data from 500,000 people on the UK BioBank, we discovered that sunbed users lived 50 days longer after 12 years than those who did not use them.
“Looking at the research results carefully, we do not say that sunbeds themselves make you live longer.
“Non-burning sunlight exposure promotes a longer life.
“Sunbeds increase the risk of melanoma skin cancers. They are not as deleterious to health as, say, smoking, high blood pressure or lack of exercise.
“My advice is to get non-burning sunlight exposure and know your limits depending on your skin colour and how you react to sun.”
He said he did not use sunbeds and the industry did not fund his research.
Cancer Research UK says there’s ‘no such thing as safe UV tanning’
Cancer Research UK warns that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunbeds can damage the DNA in your skin cells, and cause skin cancer.
It stresses: “There’s no such thing as a safe UV tanning.”
Indigo Sun says its customers spend an average of £500 a year on tanning.
Chief executive Frank Taylor said: “Like many in our industry, we understand the risks of UV exposure, which is why we have long championed responsible, moderate tanning practices.
“At the same time, I believe it’s important to engage with credible new research, like the recent University of Edinburgh study, which presents compelling evidence of broader health benefits linked to UV exposure and vitamin D. ”
He added: “At Indigo Sun we implement rigorous safety measures: trained staff, customer screening, controlled session limits, and strictly regulated equipment.”
The ASA confirmed it has received a complaint and is investigating.
This story was originally published in The Sunday Post. Subscribe to the ePaper here.
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