She is far from the only influencer who admits to using sunbeds. In 2023, Irish content creator Olivia Neill (who has almost 900,000 followers on TikTok) faced backlash after revealing that she had been diagnosed with skin cancerwith many believing her sunbed habit was to blame. American influencer Emily Lula May (who has 1.3 million followers on the platform) documented her this year “tanning routine” in one video, she began the line: “‘tanning beds give you cancer’ – if you smoke, if you vape, if you eat processed food, you get cancer too. Leave me alone.”
In an age of bottled bronze and spray tan techniques (not to mention the wealth of research link tanning beds to skin cancer), it can be hard to understand that people still choose to expose themselves to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the pursuit of tanned skin. For many, the sunbed is an old-fashioned if not feudal mechanism that, sort of St Ives Apricot Scrub and silicone injections before that, has been avoided in favor of modern, safer options.
But like other beauty ghosts past, sunbeds seem to have crept back into the mainstream. Unlike a narrow eyebrow, however, sunbeds have been shown to cause cancer.
In 2009, UV-emitting tanning beds were classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, joining the ranks of cigarettes and asbestos. A analysis from 2021 reported that the risk of skin melanoma (the most aggressive form of skin cancer) increased by 27% in people who had ever been exposed to sunbeds or tanning beds.
Although there are no recent statistics on sunbed use in Aotearoa (a 2010 survey indicated that around 92,000 Kiwis were indoor tanning), UK Research reported this year that 28% of the public used sunbeds – with a worrying 23% of 18-25 year olds believing that sunbeds reduced the risk of skin cancer. The study estimated that sunbeds cause around 440 melanomas and 100 deaths in the UK each year.
So what drives people towards these coffin-like accessories? And why are sunbeds still used?
Why are sunbeds bad for us?
Sunbeds use artificial UV radiation to stimulate tanning: as unprotected exposure to the sundoes this UV light damage the cells’ DNA. When the body is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin, or pigment, to protect the skin from further damage. A sunburn is basically a sign that your skin has been damaged.
Tanning beds mainly emit UVA and a small amount of UVB (types of radiation) to induce a tanning effect. UVA is a key factor in premature aging, characterized by wrinkles, patchy pigmentation, loss of skin tone and rough texture, says dermatologist Dr. Ken Ip. Herald.
“New Zealand and Australia have the highest rates of skin cancer, including melanoma, in the world. Although there are several reasons for this, unprotected exposure to UV radiation in sunlight is one of the main contributors, by damaging the DNA in skin cells. Sunbeds expose artificially exposes the skin to even higher amounts of harmful UV radiation, which in turn further increases the risk of skin cancer.”
Using sunbeds before the age of 35 has been shown to increase the risk of developing melanoma by 75%said Dr Monique Mackenzie, New Zealand’s first female Maori doctor specializing in dermatology. Herald.
“When you put this in the context of New Zealand, where your lifetime risk of melanoma if you’re light-skinned is already 1 in 15, using a sunbed would increase your risk to 1 in 8. That’s a very worrying number.”
Studies also support a “dose-response relationship” where the risk of skin cancer and melanoma increases with each tanning session.
“One sunbed is enough to increase the risk of skin cancer, so there is no safe limit,” Mackenzie said.
It is illegal to operate a commercial solarium (sunbed salon) anywhere in Australia, but sunbeds are still legal in Aotearoa. The only legislation, passed in 2017, prohibits sunbed operators from serving under 18s.
“The important message to emphasize is that there is no such thing as a ‘safe tan’ from sun exposure or sunbed use,” Ip stressed.
Why do people use sunbeds?
There may be many factors that encourage people to use tanning beds, despite the well-documented risks – but Dr Kate MacKrill, a lecturer in psychological medicine, told Herald she believes beauty standards were largely to blame.
“It’s really hard to ignore the emphasis on social media and in popular culture to be sun-kissed. The common perception is that a tan makes a person look healthy, attractive and ‘hot,’” MacKrill said.
“We’ve been exposed to this for decades, at least in Western cultures, and social media has fueled this anxiety, so these beliefs are very difficult to undo.”
A Research Paper 2022 noted that tan-seeking behaviors may be driven by “motives for an attractive appearance”, while “beautifying motives to look attractive” were among the top reasons for sunbed use in Europe.
Mackenzie agrees. “Beauty ideals are driven by social and cultural norms that vary by country and region. Today we see a more diverse range of skin types but at the end of the day, tanned models on the beach are still popular images seen in social media and advertising, especially at this time of year.”
Auckland-based model and self-confessed tanning addict Sophie Negus has used sunbeds before. She told Herald she believes she has a type of body dysmorphia, a disorder in which a person becomes obsessively focused on “fixing” a perceived flaw in their appearance. Sophie says she likely has “tan dysmorphia”.
“I never thought much about sunbeds until I saw YouTuber Olivia Neill religiously using them, and even though she warned her viewers not to use them, I didn’t really care,” Negus said.
“I’ve been obsessed with fake tanning since I was 14, so I was keen to do whatever it took to combat my tanning dysmorphia. I always just tried to tell myself that sunbeds couldn’t be worse than the sun in New Zealand, but apparently I lie to myself.”
While tanning dysmorphia is not an official diagnosis, MacKrill said “tanorexia” — a type of body dysmorphic disorder — has been identified in academic research.
“‘Tanorexia’ (is) where a person sees their skin color as the ‘defect’ and they become preoccupied with constantly checking their appearance in mirrors, comparing themselves to others and social avoidance,” she explained.
“This (dysmorphia) can create a negative cycle where the person is never satisfied with the appearance of their skin. This can result in excessive use of tanning beds, negative economic or social effects and have a psychological effect of low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and problems with body image.”
An addiction
“I know (tanning) is bad for me but I do a lot of things that are bad for me. I’d rather live hot than die ugly,” Negus said.
Like gambling or gambling, an obsession with tanning can be an example of a behavioral addiction. When tanned skin is naturally linked to self-confidence, tanning – and the associated boost in self-esteem – can become highly addictive.
“I think tanning addiction can be a very real thing. There’s the impact on self-esteem and confidence, the approval of friends or compliments on social media, plus it’s been suggested that UV light has a physiological effect on mood,” MacKrill explained.
“All of this plays on the reward circuits in our brain and creates the ‘feel good’ endorphins that keep us coming back for more.”
There’s a reason you might feel happier after a day in the sun. UV light can stimulate the skin’s production of endorphins: “feel-good” chemicals that can relieve pain, reduce stress and improve your sense of well-being, Mackenzie explained.
Therefore, a person who consistently uses sunbeds may be addicted to how they feel after UV exposure.
“Color addiction is interesting. Endorphins improve your mood, much like other activities that stimulate endorphins.
“Exercise and laughter are much less risky.”
Like other addictions, the person may experience withdrawal or physical or psychological symptoms when they don’t have access to their compulsion—and tanning is no different.
“An obsessive relationship with tanning can affect work, relationships or other leisure activities. People may experience low self-esteem, anxiety or depression as the tan begins to fade,” says MacKrill.
“People may feel unable to quit even when they really want to.”
What are the myths surrounding sunbeds?
Unfortunately, a lot of misinformation about tanning can fuel the use of sunbeds – including alleged “benefits” of UV exposure.
In her “tanning routine” video, the aforementioned influencer Emily Lula May claimed that sunbeds not only helped her acne, but also her seasonal affective disorder (SAD): a form of depression related to the changing of the seasons.
The Herald put some of the most common misconceptions to the experts. t
Beach chairs can treat SAD: According to Mackenzie, a review of research indicates that there is “low-level evidence” that visible white or infrared light can treat SAD. However, this absorption works through the eyes, not the skin.
“These light spectrums are lower energy and do not include UV radiation, which is mainly found in sunbeds.”
A “base tan” reduces the risk of sunburn: “Tanning is your skin’s way of protecting cellular DNA from mutations caused by the sun. Therefore, if you are sunburned, you have received enough UV radiation to potentially damage your skin cells. Having a tan also does not prevent you from tanning,” said Mackenzie.
Sunbathing increases vitamin D: “Sunbeds emit predominantly UVA radiation, which does not contribute to vitamin D production,” Ip said.
Mackenzie added: “Vitamin D is formed in the skin after UVB exposure, not UVA which is mainly found in sunbeds.”
UV light can treat skin conditions: While a 2015 study suggested UV therapy may benefit some patients with dermatological diseasein the vast majority of cases, dermatologists will never recommend sunbeds for skin conditions.
“UV light is used to treat certain skin conditions, but this is done under strict conditions with specialized lights and dosing schedules to minimize damage to the patient and their skin,” explained Mackenzie.
Certain skin types are “better suited” to sunbeds: “It’s a myth,” Mackenzie said.
Ip elaborated: “Even if you don’t burn, you’re still getting the same amount of harmful UV radiation every time you use a sunbed.”
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a tan: but a spray tan or self-tanner is far safer than deliberate and repeated exposure to UV radiation.
In the end, and as cliche as it sounds, we should learn to love the skin we’re in – even if that skin is Caspervit.
“Check with yourself. Why has a tan become a focus?” MacKrill said.
“I think we need to remind ourselves of words like ‘be comfortable in your own skin’.
Lana Andelane is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist. She was previously lifestyle editor at Newshubwhere she began her career as a news producer. She enjoys writing about music, pop culture, fashion and beauty.
