Many people believe that sunbeds help prevent sunburn. In reality, scientific evidence proves the opposite: sunbeds do not protect the skin and can significantly increase the risk of melanoma.
Do sunbeds prepare the skin for the sun?
No.
The idea that sunbeds help to "acclimatize" the skin to the sun is widespread, but it has no solid scientific basis.
Tanning achieved with UV lamps is a skin response to damage that has already occurred, not effective protection. This means that exposure to sunbeds before holidays does not reduce the risk of sunburn.
Why sunbeds don't protect the skin
Sunbeds, used for artificial tanning, primarily emit UVA rays.
UVA rays:
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penetrate deep into the skin
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accelerate skin aging
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contribute to the development of skin cancers
The intensity of UV lamps can be 10 to 15 times higher than natural sunlight. Even short exposures can therefore lead to a high radiation load.
Sunbeds and melanoma: what scientific studies say
A study published in 2025 in Science Advances analyzed approximately 3,000 people, comparing those who used sunbeds with those who had never used them.
The results:
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5.1% of users developed melanoma
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Among non-users, the figure drops to 2.1%
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The risk is up to 2.85 times higher
In practice, the incidence is more than double among sunbed users. These data clearly show that sunbed use is associated with a significant increase in the risk of skin cancers.
Why sunbeds increase UV exposure
During a sunbed session, areas of the body normally less exposed to the sun, such as the back and buttocks, are also exposed. This leads to an overall exposure approximately 1.5 times higher than that of skin usually exposed to the sun. In practice, the skin receives a higher dose of UV rays compared to normal daily exposure.
What the World Health Organization says
The UV lamps used in sunbeds are classified by the World Health Organization as Group 1 carcinogens, the same category as agents like cigarette smoke. This means that there is a scientifically proven link between exposure to UV lamps and the development of skin cancers.
Conclusion: are sunbeds safe?
No.
Sunbeds do not prepare the skin for the sun and do not reduce the risk of sunburn.
On the contrary:
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increases exposure to UV rays
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accelerates skin aging
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increases the risk of melanoma
Protecting your skin doesn't mean "getting it used" to the sun, but reducing unnecessary exposure and adopting conscious behaviors all year round. In addition to sunscreen, there are solutions such as UPF protective clothing, designed to shield over 98% of UV rays.
