about sunbeds

[IceBeing]

I probably am, because I just lost my DM to malignant melanoma. She likely got that because her own mother forced her as a child to wait out in the sun for her father to the point she was regularly blistered from sun burn.

But why on earth would anyone do this to themselves on purpose?

Why should people be allowed to make money from increasing people's chances of skin cancer?

[angelos02]

YANBU. I'm amazed anyone (other than idiots that are in The Only Way Is Essex) uses a sun bed. Tan = skin damage. Fools.

[TequilaMockingbirdy]

And some doctors prescribe them for psoriasis.

[IceBeing]

thurlow but sugar and nicotine etc are ACTUAL drugs. They really do something. You don't physiologically feel better after tanning...why would you? It is hurting you.

You may feel better because you erroniously think you look better, but that hit could be gotten elsewhere...

[TequilaMockingbirdy]

Yep a tan is basically your cells mutating to protect themselves from the rays. It's horrible. I can't count how many times I've had to tell people that

[IceBeing]

If you have an illness that means there are actual benefits to UV radiation exposure then weigh them up against the dangers and make an informed decision.

IF you don't then stay the fuck away from sun beds.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

It's like anything else though you have I he responsible in your usage.

At least in shops with (hopefully) trained staff with the guide lines that have to be followed, the intention is to ensure safe and sensible usage. Which is more than you'd get of someone set one up in their home and let mates use it.

They are not responsible for people who refuse to listen or use multiple shops in multiple towns to get round it

[Chippednailvarnish]

You don't seem to be actually listening to people's replies OP.

[TequilaMockingbirdy]

Ice being have you heard of SAD? Basically people feeling depressed because of a lack of sunlight. Light can have amazing effects on the brain.

[TequilaMockingbirdy]

Only problem giles is that there is absolutely no safe usage with sunbeds. Not at all.

[MaidOfStars]

Seriously, someone who likes having a 'glow' must have mental health issues? What of those who achieve a light tan in regular sunlight? Are they mentally unwell too?

I'm not a fan of sunbeds but I'm not sanctimonious about it.

[Thurlow]

They feel psychologically better. They think they look better - I don't think anyone who is orange looks better, but they do. Who are we to judge that?

As I said, I agree in principle that they're not great and don't achieve much but they are legal, people can do what they want.

[Rhine]

You can always tell a person who's an avid sunbed user as they usually look about ten years older than they actually are. They are all leathery and have really deep wrinkles and lines, and crepey chest. Urghh, why would anyone want to to that to themselves?

Pale skin looks so much nicer IMO.

[Sparklingbrook]

I try and go for a long walk every day to get my Vitamin D requirements. Sunlight is good but you can get enough on cloudy days-it just takes longer.

[IceBeing]

I think people should have the right to chose over lifestyle activities that carry pros and cons. Like smoking (except in that it affects others through passive inhalation). But for the majority of people there is no pro for sunbeds. There is literally nothing good about them that cannot be achieved in a safer alternative.

So why not just ban them?

The NHS can keep some for people being treated for other illnesses in just the same way they get to keep X-ray machines even though X-ray machines freely available on the streets would also cause death and disaster.

[MaidOfStars]

A tan is not your 'cells mutating to protect themselves'.

[IceBeing]

thurlow what part of there are other ways to make yourself look brown/orange are you not getting?

[IceBeing]

maid nope it isn't....the mutation is a side effect of the process.

[Chippednailvarnish]

I think people should have the right to chose over lifestyle activities that carry pros and cons. Like smoking

So what are the pros of smoking?

[Thurlow]

I know there are other ways.

Which part of 'people are different and have different preferences, tastes and likes' are you not getting?

[IceBeing]

Actually I might set up an X-ray bed service....

All you have to do is convince people they feel better about themselves after an X-ray and that some slebs think X-rays are fab and then charge people money to kill themselves slowly!

[MaidOfStars]

DNA mutations do not result from tanning, nor is it a side-effect of tanning. Both tanning and DNA mutation are concurrent with UV exposure. You can generate mutations without the tan, and tan without the mutations.

[TequilaMockingbirdy]

Sorry that's what I was taught in biology.. I'll have words then.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

There's no safe use of fags either

But choice is choice either people have them or they don't. You can't decide for them only advise and hope they listen or do research

[IceBeing]

thurlow the part where people think they would rather choose a method of looking brown that will kill them and leave their kids without a parent over one that doesn't.

Seriously if people are that stupid we - as society - have a duty to protect them from themselves.

[Thurlow]

And yes, you are completely undermining your entire argument by continuing to say that smoking is OK. And I say that as a smoker.

It's alright to risk your health because you get a momentary high from nicotine, alcohol or heroin - but it's not ok to risk your health because you feel better with a sunbed tan?

Let's be honest, sunbed tans do look different from tans out of a bottle. Just like home dyed hair looks different from salon dyed hair. People are allowed to have that preference for how they look.