Use of UV-A sunbeds for cosmetic tanning.

A survey has been carried out of people using UV-A sunbeds at commercial premises in the U.K. The degree of tan achieved was found to be closely related to the subject's ability to tan in sunlight, and subjects who burnt easily in sunlight were most at risk of developing erythema after using a sunbed. Side-effects, particularly itching, were common. The prevalence of itching, nausea and skin rashes were higher in women taking oral contraceptives than in women on no medication. Although long-term quantitative estimates of the risks of UV-A sunbed use (such as skin ageing and skin cancer) are unknown, it is recommended that individuals who do not tan or tan poorly should be discouraged from using sunbeds.