Sunbed Risks & UK Safety Advice

Sunbeds expose skin to ultraviolet radiation. UK Health Security Agency guidance discourages their use for cosmetic tanning and says there is no evidence that a type of sunbed is less harmful than natural sun exposure.

Do controlled sessions make tanning safe?

No session timetable can be presented here as a safe tanning routine. Cancer Research UK explains that skin damage can accumulate without being visible. A pre-holiday sunbed tan does not prevent sunburn, and sunbeds are not recommended for obtaining vitamin D.

Age restrictions and higher-risk skin

UK rules prohibit commercial sunbed use by people under 18. UKHSA advises people with very fair skin, skin that burns easily, or a previous skin cancer diagnosis not to use sunbeds. These groups are not the only people exposed to risk.

Why UV exposure matters

The World Health Organization's review of tanning devices explains that UV-emitting sunbeds are classified as carcinogenic to humans. Equipment controls do not turn UV tanning into a health treatment.

For related information, read our guide to UV light and outdoor sun protection.

Information checked against the linked sources on 2 October 2026.