Why TikTok's Sudden Obsession With Sunbeds Shouldn't Be Ignored
Along with chemical perms and tanning injections, sunbeds are among the most dangerous beauty 'trends' we all thought would remain filed and forgotten about in the industry's slightly eerier past. We know of course that exposing our skin to UV rays not only damages our DNA cells and promotes premature ageing but can cause far more worrying health issues down the line. So why, then, is #sunbedaddiction suddenly trending on TikTok?
In recent months, a concerning trend has been developing over on Gen-Z's favourite social media platform. A post created by @itsnotemma8 which proclaimed one TikToker's love of sunbeds despite the known health dangers went viral, soon signalling what seems to be a sunbed revival.
TikTokers are now posting videos about their so-called sun bed addictions on the daily, promoting the use of 'sun bed creams' as the perfect accompaniment to reach your tanning goals. Meanwhile, who can forget when Kim Kardashian went viral after revealing her office sunbed, sparking debate over the dangerous Noughties trend and causing it to resurface?
New research from self-tan brand Vita Liberata points to this concerning phenomenon. In a UK-based survey of 1,000 women, it found that one in three use tanning beds and will continue to despite the major health risks. Almost half (48%) of those women said that sun beds are addictive, and 91% said they were aware of the health risks at play. This comes at a time when there's also been a rise in melanoma cases among adults aged between 25 and 49, according to Melanoma Focus. Cancer Research UK now predicts that there will be 20,800 cases diagnosed this year, a record figure, while Google searches for ‘sun aging skin' have also climbed by 200% in the last month alone.
FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE
The question is: why are people ignoring the hard facts? Here, we've enlisted the help of dermatologist Hiva Fassihi, a consultant dermatologist and La Roche-Posay expert, to discuss why TikTok's sudden obsession with sunbeds is far more menacing than a mere viral 'trend'.
Are sunbeds bad for you?
Short answer: yes. But first, a quick refresher on what a sunbed actually is, and how it works. ‘Sunbeds were invented by a European scientist, Friedrich Wolff, in 1970, as a substitute for outdoor sunbathing,’ says Dr Fassihi. ‘They work via numerous fluorescent bulbs which emit ultraviolet radiation (UVR), predominantly UVA but also UVB, to boost the production of melanin in the skin to produce a tan,' she says.
Tanning is the skin’s way of trying to protect itself from UVR, and it's well documented just how damaging UVR is for our dermis. 'UVB radiation only penetrates as far as the epidermis (the top layer of the skin) and can cause sunburn. It is extremely carcinogenic causing direct damage to the DNA in the skin cells, resulting in skin cancers,' shares Dr Fassihi. 'Meanwhile, UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and mostly causes skin ageing (loss of elasticity, lines and pigmentation). More recently, it has been shown that UVA is also carcinogenic both by direct damage to DNA in our skin cells but also through generation of excess reactive oxygen species which indirectly damage DNA.'
The high amounts of UVA and UVB will damage the appearance and health of your skin but, according to Dr Fassihi, those using a sun bed before the age of 35 will also increase their risk of melanoma by 75%.
Are sunbeds ever ok in moderation?
If you've ever asked yourself 'just how dangerous is a sun bed?' or 'what is 10 minutes on a sunbed equivalent to in the sun?' and 'how bad it really be?', the answer is: very.
'The overall UV irradiance of tanning beds is about 10–15 times greater than that provided by outdoor exposure to natural sunlight,' warns Dr Fassihi. 'So, 10 minutes on a sunbed equates to about 150 minutes (over 2 hours) of sunlight – without any protection from sunscreen use.'
Do sunbeds have any benefits whatsoever?
'Commercial sun beds are not safe and should not be used,' warns Dr Fassihi, who urges that there is never a benefit when it comes to using a sunbed. 'Since 2010, it has been illegal for people under the age of 18 in the UK to use sunbeds, and it is an offence for any business to offer UV tanning services to people under the age of 18, pregnant women, people with skin cancer or a history of skin cancer, and individuals who do not tan or who burn easily following sun exposure,' she adds.
The only controlled exposure to UVB radiation that is deemed safe is UVB phototherapy, which is very different to commercial sunbeds used for the sole gain of boosting your tan. 'Medical administration of narrowband UVB phototherapy, under medical supervision, is used to safely treat several inflammatory skin disorders including psoriasis and eczema,' says Dr Fassihi.
What happens to your skin when you use sunbeds too frequently?
'The main detrimental effects of artificial tanning can be classified into the short-term issues of sunburn and tanning, and the long-term problems of photoageing and skin cancer,' says Dr Fassihi.
'Artificial tanning significantly increases the lifetime risk for the main types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, particularly in individuals with fair skin types.' When it comes to your skin, frequent sunbed use 'will promote skin photoaging with pigmentation, loss of collagen, elastin and fine lines.'
Celebrities and influencers endorsing such a dangerous beauty trend is a major part of the problem and tells a concerning narrative about why sunbeds are suddenly in the spotlight again. That TikTokers are now turning to sunbeds could highlight that unrealistic beauty standards are still rife, and we continue to live in an online world where there's no price to pay for the promise of an unrivalled glow - not even when it's at the detriment of your health.
The takeaway here is not to get lured in by the endless stream of videos and the growing body of misinformation circulating around sunbeds right now. And, if you are looking to boost your tan? Always opt for faux.
ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.
You Might Also Like
