Skin cancer: 'We don’t recommend that anybody of any age uses sunbeds for any reason'

New Irish data shows teenagers and young adults are now the most likely age group to use sunbeds. 

The only safe way to tan is to use fake tan, a senior nurse has said, as well as issuing a reminder that sunbed use carries a high known risk of skin cancer.

The HSE is holding a free public webinar next week on tanning, including sunbeds and the psychology of tanning.

Speakers will discuss skin cancers and “proven health risks of sunbed use” backed by World Health Organization data. 

Selene Daly Tarpey has been a nurse for 30 years, including 18 working in dermatology.

“Between 90% and 95% of all skin cancers are caused by over-exposure to UV light — that’s ultraviolet light that comes from the sun or from sunbeds,” she said.

"We don’t recommend that anybody of any age uses sunbeds for any reason.” 

This applies to people with acne or other skin conditions as well.

She said a tan could result in permanently damaged skin, so the safe way to tan is by using fake tan. 

She is now a nurse tutor at the HSE Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education covering Sligo, Leitrim, and west Cavan.

She will address the webinar and hopes people will tune in "to better understand these risks and explore healthier alternatives” to sunbeds.

In April, new Irish data showed teenagers and young adults are now the most likely age group to use sunbeds. 

The National Cancer Control Programme also said 84% of Gen Z experienced sunburn at least once in the past year, up from 66% in 2023.

“It shows young people do try and get a tan, they do burn their skin more and they are less likely to be sun-smart,” Ms Daly Tarpey said.

By sun-smart, she means sunscreen and also a hat, sunglasses, long-sleeves and staying in the shade between 11am and 3pm.

Meanwhile, a working group under the Department of Health continues to assess the implications of banning sunbeds.

The Sunbed Association is campaigning against this.

Vce-chairman Joe McGlinchey said: “The Government is not banning sunbeds, it is banning the only setting where their use is controlled, monitored, and compliant with public health law.

"The inevitable consequence is that tanning will move into homes, back rooms, and to underground, black-market settings where there is zero supervision and zero enforcement.” 

The HSE webinar takes places at 12pm on May 20. Find the link to register on the HSE website under the title “Sunbeds: What You Need to Know About the Risks to Your Health Webinar”.