Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Step mums comment regarding tanning beds has upset me

186 replies

TScarv · 03/07/2026 12:45

I went for some food last night with my dad and step mum, I asked them if they’ve been away recently because they look very tanned, and they said no, they’ve just been using the tanning beds. My partner said he has never been on them but he might go on a few times before holiday so that he doesn’t burn, to which I replied that I don’t think it’s a good idea and he’d be best just protecting his skin in the sun. My dad said “you don’t like sun beds do you?” And I said no, they scare me. My step mum then said “I don’t care, it’s worth it”

AIBU to be a bit upset by this? Surely no one actually thinks that having a tan is worth getting skin cancer? Would she still have that same opinion if she’s hit with a melanoma diagnosis in the future? I didn’t say anything because it’s up to them what they want to do, and nothing to do with me. But the comment had upset me/annoyed me because I can’t wrap my head around how they value a tan over their skin health or life? Do people just not view skin cancer as important?

my grandma has smoked all her life and my dad has always begged her to stop but she didn’t. She now has COPD and is in a bad way and my dad is angry at her for not stopping years ago. But yet he’s messing with tanning beds?? How does that make sense?

OP posts:
Magicalgqueen · 03/07/2026 14:42

I have a family member who has psoriasis and uses a subbed, once a week . They spoke to the Dr and he agreed she can use. She only does 5minutes. But it’s helping her skin. She is happy to take the risk as her skin itches constantly and sometimes bled.
She only goes abroad in either May of October, and wears sunscreen.

Goldengirl123 · 03/07/2026 14:33

I don’t understand what’s upset you?

Minasama · 03/07/2026 14:29

This is not something you can control.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 03/07/2026 14:27

It's no different to having a family member smoke or drive too fast or play a dangerous sport. It's a risk but their choice as an adult to take. Many people spent hours and hours sunbathing on holiday which is arguably just as dangerous and risky

Imightbeinthewronghere · 03/07/2026 14:25

You do realise as adults we have this thing called capacity and that means we are allowed to make decisions that are bad for us

Not exercising
Eating fatty foods
Being over weight
Smoking
Drinking
Drugs
Speeding
Taking Risks
Extreme sports
Risky Sex

You can partake in none of those and still get cancer or have an accident

Lighten up OP

Blackcatahotcat · 03/07/2026 14:25

All sounds a bit 80s. Thought it was spray tans now

Shortbreadel · 03/07/2026 14:22

I wouldn't bother wasting your energy on them as they've made their minds up on what they believe in.

StationJack · 03/07/2026 14:21

Beamsss · 03/07/2026 13:42

I'm prepared to accept it damages my skin, but it definitiely definitely makes a difference to burning and to my mind, a few short sessions to build protection is probably less damaging than gettting burnt.

But either way, it's my choice. Are you as judgemental about people who choose to ruin their health by doing no exercise or eating processed food?

The suntan is sunburn. You are actively choosing to damage your skin.
It doesn't really protect you from further sunburn.

Be sensible and use SPF.

wherearethesnacks · 03/07/2026 14:19

Your father and stepmother are either a bit dim or are happy to risk cancer. I'd be more worried if the boyfriend was serious about trying sunbeds. That would give me the ick.

Loubissou · 03/07/2026 14:16

It sounds as if you were judgemental of them and came across as knowing better than them. So she reacted defensively.

Probably not the best approach if you are genuinely concerned for their health.

At the end of the day though, it is her body, her choice.

Mapletree1985 · 03/07/2026 14:14

So her opinion is different from yours, so what? It's her skin and her life. Why are you taking it personally?

Whorulestheroost1 · 03/07/2026 14:09

Upset? As in crying? Blimey how do you manage when real shit happens?

Musicaltheatremum · 03/07/2026 14:05

TScarv · 03/07/2026 12:57

I’m not sure but I’ve heard this said by other people as well. I think if you’re pale, and slowly build up a base on the tanning beds then you’re less likely to burn when you’re on holiday in the sun all day??? Not sure if it’s true

I'm not sure if it stops you burning either but the damage yo the cells is still being done.

SixtySomething · 03/07/2026 14:05

This is your Dad and StepMum. Of course you’re reasonable to be upset

GinaandGin · 03/07/2026 14:04

TScarv · 03/07/2026 12:57

I’m not sure but I’ve heard this said by other people as well. I think if you’re pale, and slowly build up a base on the tanning beds then you’re less likely to burn when you’re on holiday in the sun all day??? Not sure if it’s true

It's a myth

marblechair · 03/07/2026 14:03

Beamsss · 03/07/2026 13:53

All I know is it makes a big difference to me. I'm not a sunbather and never set out to "get a tan", I always have factor 50 if I'm going to be outdoors in the sun, but a few early sunbed sessions mean I don't burn in those short periods when the cream has sweated or washed off.

If you are wearing 50spf then that is likely why you arent burning. Not because you went on a sun bed prior

viques · 03/07/2026 14:01

TScarv · 03/07/2026 12:57

I’m not sure but I’ve heard this said by other people as well. I think if you’re pale, and slowly build up a base on the tanning beds then you’re less likely to burn when you’re on holiday in the sun all day??? Not sure if it’s true

No. If you are pale you need to be protecting your skin by using a good sunblock and keeping out of the sun especially during the hours of 11.00 to 3.00, not exposing it to dangerous levels of radiation from a machine.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 03/07/2026 14:00

Maybe she could compromise and only stick half of herself on the sunbed.

KitsyWitsy · 03/07/2026 13:59

Beamsss · 03/07/2026 13:53

All I know is it makes a big difference to me. I'm not a sunbather and never set out to "get a tan", I always have factor 50 if I'm going to be outdoors in the sun, but a few early sunbed sessions mean I don't burn in those short periods when the cream has sweated or washed off.

It doesn't though. This is just confirmation bias and you've been lucky. I don't burn in short periods either and I am whiter than a sheet of paper. The rays are different but you know better than science, I guess.

Beamsss · 03/07/2026 13:53

marblechair · 03/07/2026 13:48

This isnt about judgement though - its about false information.

Sunbeds dont stop you from burning on holiday. If this were true then how come its happened to everyone I know who has been on sunbeds prior to holiday? -they've all burnt badly. I include myself in that as I tried it once many years ago- didnt work

All I know is it makes a big difference to me. I'm not a sunbather and never set out to "get a tan", I always have factor 50 if I'm going to be outdoors in the sun, but a few early sunbed sessions mean I don't burn in those short periods when the cream has sweated or washed off.

nomas · 03/07/2026 13:51

I came on to say YABU because it’s their personal preference but actually, does your step mum know that you love her so much that the thought of her getting skin cancer from the tanning beds upsets you so much?

It sounds to me like she didn’t make that connection.

godmum56 · 03/07/2026 13:51

Beamsss · 03/07/2026 13:42

I'm prepared to accept it damages my skin, but it definitiely definitely makes a difference to burning and to my mind, a few short sessions to build protection is probably less damaging than gettting burnt.

But either way, it's my choice. Are you as judgemental about people who choose to ruin their health by doing no exercise or eating processed food?

your skin your choice.

LBFseBrom · 03/07/2026 13:51

You each gave your opinion, nothing to be upset over.

For what it's wrth, I am with you on this issue but as long as they don't overdo and use a good protector, they'll probably be OK.

Naurrr · 03/07/2026 13:51

Your boyfriend and father are also into sunbeds, are you not upset at them too?

Sunbeds are for actively trying to get cancer, I'd think less of anyone doing them.

Miranda65 · 03/07/2026 13:50

I've never used a tanning bed, and wouldn't, but adults are perfectly free to do whatever they like. I'm sure all of us, at some point, have done things that are bad for our heath, OP, and that's fine. We can't wrap people up in cotton wool, and we're all going to die eventually!

Swipe left for the next trending thread