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Tanning treatments

What they are

Tanning treatments include:
• Sunbeds and solariums;
• Fake tan lotions and sprays; and
• Tan-enhancement tablets.

What they do

Sunbeds and solariums
UV light is used to stimulate melanin, the chemical reaction that makes you go brown in the sun. A sunbed is a horizontal machine with a pull-down lid, while a solarium is a walk-in booth. A single session lasts five to 30 minutes, depending on skin type and the effect required. Colour develops gradually over a number of sessions.

Warning: The British Association of Dermatologists recommends that people should not use sunbeds or solariums.

The short-term damaging effects of exposure to sunbeds include:
• Sunburnt skin, which becomes painful, red and may blister and peel;
• Skin dryness and itching;
• Bumpy, itchy skin;
• Possible rash if certain medicines are taken or lotions are applied to the skin; and
• Eye irritation or conjunctivitis, if suitable goggles are not worn.

There may also be long-term health effects, including:
• Skin cancer;
• Premature ageing of the skin (wrinkling, irregular pigmentation, loss of skin texture and elasticity); and
• Increased risk of cateracts (clouding of the lens of the eye) later in life, if suitable goggles are not worn.

The most serious problem with sunbeds and solariums is the mounting evidence that UVA radiation may cause malignant melanoma, a potentially fatal disease.
A tan is not a sign of good health or wellbeing. It is a sign of exposure to enough UV to damage the skin. A solarium tan is NOT a safe tan.

Spray tans or fake tans
These products uses dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a chemical or vegetable dye that temporarily stains the skin, giving it a tanned appearance. The dye binds to the skin and comes off when the dead skin cells flake off. Fake tans do not offer any protection against UV radiation. Although some brands include a sunscreen, they do not provide adequate protection from UV radiation. Spray tans involve standing in a booth or in front of a spray gun-wielding therapist and being misted with dye for as little as 60 seconds. A professional fake tan involves a body scrub followed by a thorough hands-on application – this takes around 40 minutes. Alternatively, apply your own at home with one of the many high-street brand tanning products.

Tan-enhancement tablets
Taken orally, these tablets are available over the counter. The tablets contain beta-carotene, a Vitamin A-related chemical that produces the orange colour of a number of orange fruit and vegetables. These tablets produce an orange-toned skin colour that may remain for several weeks on the palms and soles after use of the tablets has stopped. The tablets offer no protection from UV radiation.

How you feel

Sunbeds and solariums
It can get sweaty with the lid down on a sunbed, and your skin may feel tender afterwards, but should soon stop.

Fake tans and spray tans
These are wet product applications. Expect to smell 'tinny' afterwards – fake tan has a distinct smell, though newer products on the market are improving all the time.

What you should know

Solariums and sunbeds
A solarium or sunbed tan is not a safe tan. Solariums can emit levels of UV radiation up to five times as strong as the sun. A solarium tan is induced thorugh concentrated exposure to high levels of UV light. All forms of UV light contribute to skin cancer adn cause premature ageing of the skin.

Solariums that advertise "mini" or "high performance" tans that colour yoru skin in less than 10 minutes do this by exposing you to extreme levels of UV radiation. You are not reducing your risk of skin cancer by being in the solarium for a shorter period of time.

Fake tans
A fake tan salon application can last up to 7-10 days; sprays 5-7 days. Avoid wearing your best clothes afterwards – it may stain them; the treatment needs a few hours to settle.

If you’re applying fake tan yourself, exfoliate, then work the product in thoroughly, paying attention to heels, knees, elbows and hands, which are prone to going orange – some experts say fake tan shouldn’t be used on them at all. The colour you are at the start is not the shade you’ll end up sporting – the colour develops over hours.

Tan-enhancement tablets
These tablets offer no protection from UV radiation, so full-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection should be worn at all times.

The cost

A 10-minute sunbed session starts from £6, spray tans from £25, fake tan applications from £30. Home tanning products start from £8.

The availability

Sunbeds, solariums, spray and professional fake tan applications are all widely available in specialist tanning centres, beauty salons and spas. Home fake tan products are sold in chemists.

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Page 1: What they are

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