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Original poster

To wonder why sunbeds are fashionable again??

164 replies

LocoCocoa · 01/07/2023 17:30

I remember them being popular in the early 00’s used them a few times myself as a young teen but then we all realised they were awful, most salons closed. Now people are using them again and it’s all over social media, mostly with young adults, except now they squirt tanning drops up their noses and put drop under their tongue before they go on, I don’t even know what’s in those things, darker the better seems to be the aim 😐

OP posts:
Ghastisflabbered · 01/07/2023 20:02

I use them, occasionally and with the full knowledge and (grudging) acceptance of my consultant.

Short of moving somewhere consistently hot it’s the only thing that helps my pain management.

The alternative is chewing opioids like candies which is also unlikely to lead to a long and happy life.

pinksheetss · 01/07/2023 20:02

I used them once before a hen do and friends wedding and got such a good tan from it. I look back and envy that tan always but id never go back on them.
Aged 31 now and afraid of the sun haha. Factor 50 on and don't like to site out in the sun

I did them before because I burn a lot and it does take the ease off.

TheUsualChaos · 01/07/2023 20:03

Oh it's just crazy. I don't understand why they are still legal.

I work with a lovely woman in her early twenties and she uses them all the time, yes her tan looks great but god, the long term damage she must be doing to her skin, not to mention increasing her risk of cancer 😔

CallistoMoon · 01/07/2023 20:03

I used one for 20 seconds decades ago but couldn't stop thinking about Final Destination and had to get out. Never again.

Lost DFIL to skin cancer. Its a horrid disease.

Derailing · 01/07/2023 20:15

WitheringTights000 · 01/07/2023 19:49

@Derailing - you need to read my previous posts properly. I never used the word 'community' ....I'm not sure why you keep using that word.

I said people in my family, some of who are actually spread out geographically.

You come across as very judgemental, unless you really don't take any risks what so ever with your health, you can't really judge.

You are reading too much into the word ‘community’. I just meant people you know. They don’t seem to understand or care about skin cancer so you don’t either.

I am pretty healthy, slim, haven’t ever smoked or drank alcohol. But of course I could still get cancer. Sunbeds though are entirely used due to vanity by people like you. I judge it 100%. It is an incredibly stupid thing to do. At least own it rather than saying but but smoking etc is worse, other people are unhealthy too. It’s such a thick thing to do, regardless of what other unhealthy practices other people undertake.

Derailing · 01/07/2023 20:17

opalescent · 01/07/2023 19:55

I loved them in my 20s. Wouldn't consider it now. Partly because of the cancer risk (which is very significant-significant enough for them to be banned in other countries). Mainly because every single long term sun bed user I know, has aged like a leather suitcase. Especially on their chest. Plus end up being extra moley and having lots of hyper pigmentation marks. Literally, every sunbed user I know.

Yes, the sun-damaged chest is almost painful to look at. And impossible to hide with cosmetics.

Derailing · 01/07/2023 20:20

GarlicGrace · 01/07/2023 19:51

My fairer-skinned sister has always avoided the sun. She looks more like 20 years younger than me, instead of the 5 years between us. You can actually see where the collagen mesh is collapsing on my face, it's like a satellite photo of an ancient mountain range 😳

I hear that Gen Z are embracing Botox & fillers, etc, very young so they're probably laid back about future cosmetic damage. And everyone of that age thinks they're immortal!

My 19 and 21 year olds think sunbeds are crazy and would never use them. Their friends don’t use them and don’t even go in the sun without sun lotion. Maybe that is because they have parents who have educated them. I had hoped they would all close down this decade.

It is definitely ageing. The difference between my sun-worshipping friends and those who avoid the sun is stark now we are in our fifties.

MissTwinklePaws · 01/07/2023 20:21

You might not get cancer but you will luck like a reddened prune. I can't see why anyone would do it.

I'm lucky that i have olive skin and have never felt the pressure to use one. But seriously, it's much better to be a bit pale than shrivelled. Embrace your skin tone, there's no need to bake yourself

Malarandras · 01/07/2023 20:25

People still smoke cigarettes even though we have known for decades how dangerous they are. I just don’t get the big deal about a tan, and if you really need one get it sprayed on. Practically no health risks with that. The way I see it if other people choose to do things despite how risky they are, that’s entirely on them. It is entirely possible to live a great, fun and full life and avoid a sunbed. All cancer risks? No probably not. But sunbeds are very, very easy to avoid.

ColdHandsHotHead · 01/07/2023 20:25

Dotandtime · 01/07/2023 19:09

Why do people get so agitated about others' choices?

A handful of times a year I have a short session on a sunbed. I exercise practically everyday, I'm a healthy weight, I eat a clean diet, almost free of refined sugar and processed foods, rarely drink, have never smoked. Can everyone so upset about sunbed use claim they do everything possible to protect their health?

You're missing the point. What's the use of being so healthy when you do something so unhealthy to your skin?

rogueone · 01/07/2023 20:30

My DD has got a great dark tan from using the sunbed, she had been doing fake tan for years and it was a pain in the ass. She is very happy with it.

MaggieBsBoat · 01/07/2023 20:31

…because people are dumb.

avocadotofu · 01/07/2023 20:35

I had no idea they were still a thing. I don't know anyone who uses them! They're so dangerous I'm really surprised they are still in use!

opalescent · 01/07/2023 20:37

rogueone · 01/07/2023 20:30

My DD has got a great dark tan from using the sunbed, she had been doing fake tan for years and it was a pain in the ass. She is very happy with it.

🤦🏻‍♀️

Justplainsadmad · 01/07/2023 20:39

@Ghastisflabbered have you tried a sauna? I find the heat is helpful for bad joints. and a steam room for flexibility as well

KnitMePurlMe · 01/07/2023 20:41

@rogueone 😳

i had extensive facial surgery due to skin exposure/cancer, not so attractive eh?

Theres some incredibly dangerous ignorance on this thread. If my photos weren’t so outing I’d share them 😢

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 01/07/2023 20:41

rogueone · 01/07/2023 20:30

My DD has got a great dark tan from using the sunbed, she had been doing fake tan for years and it was a pain in the ass. She is very happy with it.

Let's hope she is just happy with her skin if she got skin cancer and had to have great big divets cut out of her skin or worse scenario she lost her life. I'm sure everyone will say its so sad but she had a great tan.

Ffs.

Pugdogmom · 01/07/2023 20:43

I am waiting for hospital UV treatment for a long term skin condition which is painful and itchy. Sadly there is a waiting list and could be several months in my area before I'm seen . Meanwhile I'm having a few sessions on a sunbed to try and stop the intense itching. Yes I'm aware of the risks.
I wouldn't go near them if it wasn't for that. I don't care about being brown. I hate being commented on when I expose any part of my body, due to mess of my skin. Summer is miserable for me

Curiosity101 · 01/07/2023 20:45

A tan is your body's reaction to UV exposure and UV exposure = UV damage. I'm quite vocal about that when people talk about wanting a tan or a "healthy" tan.

I've no issue with people doing what they want, but hope they do it in an informed way. Although based on the number of people who still believe getting a tan to stop themselves burning is better than using sun cream properly is crazy. Same as the "Factor 50 makes you burn" crew.

I exclusively use SPF50 as I have super fair skin - I've been to Florida and never even been slightly pink. I also use SPF year round on my face. I do often covet a tan but my only option is fake tan so I've had to learn to embrace my pale ness. I figure I'll thank myself when I'm older 😁.

WitheringTights000 · 01/07/2023 20:47

@Derailing - being slim is not a guarantee of health btw, i am also very, very slim. You don't know What is going on with your innards sometimes!

Have you ever, ever consumed something like a diet food product or junk food? Lots in the news about cancer causing artificial ingredients....

Surely even someone as virtuous as you has consumed something artificial at some point 😇

Despite obviously being more intelligent than me, you don't seem to be able to read properly! I do own my decision to use sunbeds. I said upthread that I am only okay with using them because I don't have kids.

I accept the risks and I am aware of them. But there is also risk with lots of other things such as cigarettes etc. that's a fact. And people still do it.

You seem to have an overly strong opinion on a strangers lifestyle choices

mistermagpie · 01/07/2023 20:49

I used them for years in my 20s. I'm so embarrassed about it now and I'm terrified of skin cancer. My skin is also prematurely aged and, honestly, it wasn't worth it.

I wish they were banned and I'd never been on them, I'm not an idiot either (I'm got a couple of degrees from a really good uni and all that) I just didn't really care about the risks. Now I do and it's too late.

I would be furious if my kids went on them.

narkyspirit · 01/07/2023 20:52

the gym I go to has recently installed a sun bed, the assistant manager kept asking if I had used it and would I like to try it.

I said mid if I take my shirt off and you can see the scars from the melanomas ive had cut out? she hasn't suggested it since!!!

ThatFraggle · 01/07/2023 20:54

WitheringTights000 · 01/07/2023 20:47

@Derailing - being slim is not a guarantee of health btw, i am also very, very slim. You don't know What is going on with your innards sometimes!

Have you ever, ever consumed something like a diet food product or junk food? Lots in the news about cancer causing artificial ingredients....

Surely even someone as virtuous as you has consumed something artificial at some point 😇

Despite obviously being more intelligent than me, you don't seem to be able to read properly! I do own my decision to use sunbeds. I said upthread that I am only okay with using them because I don't have kids.

I accept the risks and I am aware of them. But there is also risk with lots of other things such as cigarettes etc. that's a fact. And people still do it.

You seem to have an overly strong opinion on a strangers lifestyle choices

It's just that you don't seem to understand statistics even though you claim you do.

If I gave you a chocolate cupcake and said it has dog poo in it, would you eat it?

What about if I had 2 cupcakes and said one has poo, one doesn't, would you risk it?

What about if I had a tray, with one poop one?

You probably would avoid baked goods from me.

But you'll risk actual death for the benefit of leathery skin.

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the use of sunbeds before the age of 30 increases the risk of melanoma by around 75%.

Carry on.

WitheringTights000 · 01/07/2023 21:00

@ThatFraggle - I do understand statistics, I've just made a decision to take the risk.

Not really sure why you are talking about dog poo though?

Do you have some kind of strange fetish?

Are you the poo troll?? 🥴🥴

Flopsy88 · 01/07/2023 21:00

People who still use sunbeds use sunbeds are utter morons and hopefully aren't selfish enough to have any children, who they risk leaving behind if they die in their 30s or 40s. Melanoma is a terrifying, aggressive cancer