Why Are Young Women Using Sunbeds Again?

There are some trends that feel so firmly consigned to the past that you assume they could never return. Smoking on aeroplanes. Not wearing a seatbelt. Using olive oil to deliberately burn in the midday sun (yes, really). And yet, surprisingly, one trend I thought younger generations had largely rejected appears to be making a comeback: sunbeds.

For those of us who grew up through the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s, the dangers of sunbeds became increasingly difficult to ignore. Public health campaigns, celebrity skin cancer diagnoses and growing scientific evidence all seemed to send a very clear message: artificial tanning is not safe.

Which is why recent figures showing a sharp rise in their use among younger adults have caused such concern with skin cancer experts. According to figures released by the charity Melanoma Focus, more than a quarter of UK adults report using sunbeds. Even more concerning is the finding that usage is rising at a shocking rate among 18 to 25-year-olds.

Many people – myself included – assumed younger generations, raised with greater awareness of skin cancer and UV damage, would be less likely to use tanning beds. Instead, it seems social media trends, beauty pressures and the continued popularity of bronzed skin is contributing to a resurgence in their use.

In fact, while researching this article, I found myself scrolling through pages of stock images showing smiling young women relaxing beneath UV tubes. Not one looked remotely concerned about skin cancer, premature ageing or DNA damage. It was a useful reminder of how effectively sunbeds have been marketed over the years.

Why Are Sunbeds So Dangerous?

The science linking sunbeds and skin cancer is not new, uncertain or controversial. They emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the same type that comes from the sun and damages DNA within skin cells. Every tan, whether it comes from a beach holiday or a tanning bed, is actually the skin responding to injury. Contrary to some persistent myths, a tan is not a sign of health but that the skin has been damaged by UV exposure.

Over time, repeated DNA damage can lead to mutations within skin cells and some of these can eventually develop into skin cancers, including melanoma, the most serious and potentially life-threatening form. Even occasional use of tanning beds significantly increases the risk of developing melanoma later in life. Several major studies have found that first exposure before 35 is associated with around a 59-75% increase in melanoma risk and regular users have around a 20% higher risk compared with people who have never used them.

Skin Cancer Is On The Rise

The timing of this resurgence could hardly be worse. Melanoma rates in the UK have increased significantly over the past decade. Cancer Research UK recently reported that melanoma incidence has risen by almost a third, with skin cancer cases now reaching record levels.

Nearly nine out of ten melanoma cases are linked to excessive UV exposure from sunlight and sunbeds, making the vast majority theoretically preventable. It is estimated that sunbeds alone contribute to around 440 melanoma cases and approximately 100 deaths every year across the UK. These are not small numbers. They represent real people, many of whom believed occasional tanning carried little long-term risk.

The Hidden Damage Starts Early

One of the reasons tanning beds remain appealing is that the consequences are not immediately visible. A tan develops quickly; skin cancer develops slowly. Studies examining the DNA of tanning bed users found widespread UV-related mutations throughout the skin, including in areas that appeared completely normal.

Some researchers described younger tanning bed users as showing the equivalent of "two lifetimes" worth of UV damage. In other words, the skin may look healthy on the outside but significant genetic damage is already accumulating underneath. That is what makes UV exposure so deceptive.

What Should You Look Out For?

Early detection remains incredibly important. Any new mole, changing mole or unusual skin lesion should be assessed by a healthcare professional because the earlier melanoma is diagnosed, the better the outcome.

Particular warning signs include:

• Changes in size, shape or colour.

• Irregular or uneven borders.

• Multiple colours within the same mole.

• Persistent itching, bleeding or crusting.

• A lesion that looks different from others on your skin.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about the return of sunbeds is not that they remain available, but that so many younger adults appear willing to take a risk that previous generations spent decades learning about the hard way.

It's Not Just About Cancer

Although skin cancer is the greatest concern, sunbeds also accelerate premature ageing. UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for keeping skin firm, smooth and resilient. Over time this contributes to fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, loss of elasticity and uneven skin texture.

Ironically, many people use sunbeds because they believe a tan makes their skin look healthier. In reality, repeated UV exposure is one of the fastest ways to accelerate visible ageing. As dermatologists often point out, some of the very treatments people later seek for pigmentation, wrinkles and skin damage are addressing problems that excessive UV exposure helped create in the first place.

There is no safe way to tan using ultraviolet radiation – it is not a sign of skin health but a visible response to DNA damage. While many aspects of ageing remain outside our control, reducing unnecessary UV exposure is one of the most powerful things we can do to protect both the health and appearance of our skin.

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Dr Julia Sen is a skin cancer and Mohs surgeon, specialising in tumour removal and reconstructive surgery. You can contact us on 07939 286850 or email: hello@drjuliasen.co.uk.