Sunbed firm in hot seat over false claims that tanned skin protects against sunburn
The Sunbed Association is facing criticism for claiming that tanned skin offers protection against sunburn, a statement refuted by major health organizations. Cancer Research UK and the British Association of Dermatologists emphasize that tanning is a sign of skin damage and increases the risk of skin cancer. The controversy highlights the dangers of misinformation regarding sun exposure and tanning.
- ▪The Sunbed Association claims that tanned skin protects against sunburn, which is disputed by health organizations.
- ▪Cancer Research UK states that a tan is a sign of skin damage and offers little protection against the sun.
- ▪Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with 19,400 new diagnoses each year.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
The Sunbed Association website also claimed that sunburn was ‘thought to be the main cause of melanoma’. Photograph: Dave Thompson/PAView image in fullscreenThe Sunbed Association website also claimed that sunburn was ‘thought to be the main cause of melanoma’. Photograph: Dave Thompson/PAHealthSunbed firm in hot seat over false claims that tanned skin protects against sunburnHealth organisations refute assertion by Sunbed Association that tanning is protective and warn it could increase risk of skin cancerDenis Campbell Health policy editorFri 29 May 2026 02.00 EDTLast modified on Fri 29 May 2026 02.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe body that represents the UK’s sunbed salons is wrongly insisting that a tan protects against sunburn, even though leading medical bodies say that…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at World news | The Guardian.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from World news | The Guardian
