Using a sunbed under the age of 35 is particular dangerous, according to a report published by the International Agency for Research into Cancer. Researchers have found that people who start using sunbeds before they turn 35 increase their risk of developing malignant melanoma by 75%. This shows that using a sunbed is as potentially dangerous as hours spent tanning on a beach.
It is a common misconception that sunbeds are safer than the UV light given off by the sun, but the intensity of UV rays from some sunbeds can be 10 to 15 times higher than those from the midday sun. Professor Mike Richards, the UK government's national cancer director, said: "The Cancer Reform Strategy explained that the number of people getting skin cancer is rising rapidly. It is a matter of particular concern that even children may be getting access to sunbeds and it is also important that they should have information about the dangers of excessive exposure to UV."
