Sunbeds
The most dangerous devices in the home and in beauty care in terms of radiation are sunbeds for tanning the skin. They produce ultraviolet (UV) radiation with which it is possible to tan, and in the worst case, burn skin. A permanent tan and repeated burning of the skin significantly increases the risk of skin cancer. Use of sun beds should be limited.
Acquiring a tan from a solarium is not safer than exposure to natural sunlight. The damage caused by UV radiation is the same, independent of the source. It has long been known that heavy use of sunbeds increases the risk of melanoma. The damage caused depends on the power of the sun bed, individual skin sensitivity, and how much time is spent in the sunbed.
The use of a sun bed during pregnancy does not damage the development of the foetus. The effects of the UV radiation are limited to the mother’s skin.
The use of sunbeds is prohibited for people under 18 years of age. There must be a person in charge at the solarium to ensure that people under 18 do not use the equipment. The person in charge must be present at all times when the sunbed is in use and must also instruct the customer on the safe use of the equipment and eye protection, if necessary.
Checklist for sunbed user
A visit to a solarium should not be so long that the skin is red after the session. Be especially careful during the first session, especially if the skin is not already tanned. Five minutes is a suitable starting time. Adjust the session length depending on your own skin type.
Follow all instructions and use the device only for as long as recommended in the user instructions. Sunbed operator must give instructions to users without being asked for them.
Many ill-effects of UV radiation depend on the amount of radiation exposure accrued over a lifetime. Limit your number of sessions to 20 times per year and monitor your exposure to sunlight also.
Always use eye protection. Keeping your eyes closed does not offer enough protection for the strong UV radiation of a sunbed.
If you are using some kind of medication, consult with your physician before visiting the solarium. Certain pharmaceuticals increase the sensitivity of the skin to light.
Remove all cosmetic products before using a sunbed. Products which claim to deepen a tan should not be used. Certain cosmetic products increase the sensitivity of the skin to light, and increase the risk of burning.
You should not try to treat skin diseases yourself by using a sunbed. Ask for advice from your dermatologist. There are special UV devices for medicinal use.
Monitor your skin and consult your physician if moles on your skin begin to shrink, bleed, grow, or change in appearance. The possibility of curing skin cancer is much greater if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage.
A sunbed shall not be used if
- you are under 18 years old
- your skin is currently burnt
- you burn easily in the sun
- you have often been sunburned as a child
- you do not tan in the sun
- your skin is pale or freckled
- you have a lot of moles
- you or a close relative has had skin cancer
- you use photosensitising medicines or cosmetics.
The solarium must have
- a person in charge present at all times when the solarium is open to customers
- eye protection available
- radiation safety instructions (e.g. STUK K18 poster) in each solarium room and at any payment machine if it is located outside the solarium room
- brief instructions for use of the solarium equipment in the immediate vicinity of the solarium equipment.
Prohibitions, regulations and recommendations on the use of sunbeds
The Radiation Act prohibits the use of sunbeds by persons under 18 years of age, except on medical prescription.
The Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK)'s regulation on the use of non-ionising radiation in cosmetic or similar procedures sets a maximum level of exposure to UV radiation for the use of sunbeds, which severely limits the annual use of sunbeds.
In 2005, 2007 and 2019, the Nordic radiation safety and health authorities of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland published joint position statements in English recommending that the use of sunbeds for tanning should be avoided. Several international expert groups have commented on the health risks of sunbed use. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified sunbeds as category 1, "carcinogenic" in its cancer classification in 2009.
The EU Scientific Committee on Health, Environment and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) issued an assessment of the risks of UV radiation from sunbeds in 2016. The committee concluded that UV radiation from sunbeds causes skin cancer and that there is no safe UV dose for sunbeds.
Frequently asked questions
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The responsible person is appointed by the sunbed owner and is tasked with ensuring the safe use of the sunbed. For example, staff at a gym reception can act as responsible persons. At least one responsible person must be present when the sunbed equipment is available to customers. They must also ensure that individuals under 18 do not use the sunbed and, if necessary, advise customers on the safe use of eye protection and the sunbed equipment.
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Although sunbed devices have changed in appearance over the years, they still operate using ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sunbeds can therefore increase the risk of skin cancer, cause burns, and accelerate skin aging. A tan obtained in a sunbed is not healthier or safer than one obtained from the sun.
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You must use protective goggles in a sunbed. The skin on the eyelids is thinner and more sensitive than elsewhere and may become irritated or even burn more easily from UV radiation. Additionally, eyelids allow some long-wave UVA radiation to pass through, so they do not fully protect the eyes during sunbed exposure.
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Yes, you can. UV radiation from a sunbed does not affect the fetus or its development, as the radiation only affects the mother's skin. However, consider whether using a sunbed is necessary at all, as the only benefit is cosmetic tanning. Excessive use increases the risk of skin cancer and accelerates skin aging. For this reason, Nordic radiation safety authorities recommend avoiding sunbed use.
Ultraviolet radiation can cause melasma (pigmentation spots) and darken existing ones. Pregnancy and hormonal factors also increase the risk of pigmentation. UV exposure during pregnancy can therefore lead to melasma, even if you normally wouldn’t get them from UV radiation. The best way to prevent melasma is to avoid solariums and other strong UV exposure.
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Sunbed operations do not require a license, but before starting, you must notify the local health protection authority.
The operator (sunbed owner) is responsible for safety. The equipment and instructions must meet regulatory requirements. Customers must be instructed on the safe use of the equipment and eye protection. A designated responsible person must be present whenever the sunbed equipment is available to customers. This person must also ensure that individuals under 18 do not use the sunbed.
Read more at information for professionals in sunbed services page.
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If you have skin symptoms, you should consult a dermatologist, as exposure to UV radiation is never entirely risk-free due to the increased risk of skin cancer.
In some conditions, UV radiation may offer more benefits than risks. For example, if UV exposure helps cure or manage a disease, its use may be justified despite the increased cancer risk. In such cases, a doctor must assess the risks. The doctor must determine whether the benefits of UV exposure are clear and significant. At the same time, they will consider whether another treatment could provide better results without the potential long-term harms of UV radiation.
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Your second guess is correct – sunbed use is not beneficial for you and may be harmful. Since you have a skin type that burns easily, you might not even tan in a sunbed. A tan from the sun provides only minimal protection against UV radiation, equivalent to a sunscreen with SPF 2–4. This means that even tanned skin can burn. A sunbed tan offers even less protection than a natural tan. Using a sunbed increases the risk of skin cancer and causes premature skin aging.
Take enough sunscreen with a high SPF, preferably at least 30, on your trip. Wear light but covering clothing. Protect your eyes with a hat and sunglasses. At midday, it's best to stay in the shade.
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