Sunbeds are as popular as ever but just how bad for you are they? Data released by the charity Melanoma Focus found that 35 per cent of Londoners are using sun beds and skin cancer rates are rising. That's the second highest figure of any region in England and 7 per cent above the national average.
The survey found that more than a fifth of people (21 per cent) in London falsely believe that sunbed use decreases the risk of skin cancer, despite overwhelming medical evidence.
Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, kills 2,300 people in the UK each year.
Susanna Daniels, the chief executive of Melanoma Focus, said: "The proliferation of sunbed use across the UK is alarmingly high and it’s shocking that so many people don’t realise how dangerous they are.
“Melanoma skin cancer rates are rising in the UK and it’s an increasingly serious health concern. The good news is that 86 per cent of melanomas are preventable by avoiding ultraviolet radiation, which comes from the sun or from sunbeds.
“We strongly advise against using sunbeds in order to protect your skin and reduce your chances of being diagnosed with melanoma or other skin cancers.”
Are sunbeds dangerous?
Yes. Sunbeds emit ultraviolet radiation, which damages the DNA of skin cells and leads to genetic mutations that can cause the growth of cancerous cells. Using a sunbed is just as dangerous as sunbathing in the sun.
“There’s no such thing as a safe UV tanning,” Cancer Research UK says.
Around 85 per cent of melanoma cases are caused by exposure to too much ultraviolet radiation, according to Skin Cancer UK.
You won't always see the damage caused by UV rays as it can build up slowly.
How do sunbeds work?
Sunbeds feature tanning lamps that emit the same type of UV rays as the sun. They emit ultraviolet radiation to produce a cosmetic tan. This releases a chemical called melanin, which causes the skin to tan.
