Health effects of sunbeds for cosmetic purposes

This is not a new issue. Already in 2006, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products provided an Opinion on the biological effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from sunbeds. There, it was stated that using UVR tanning devices was likely to increase the risk of malignant melanoma of the skin and possibly ocular melanoma. It was recommended for young people under 18 years to avoid sunbeds.
A few years later, in 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified the use of UV-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans.
In light of new evidence, the European Commission asked the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) to update the previous Opinion on this topic.

• Read the full SCHEER opinion (2016)
• More information on the Opinion

Navigation

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Legislation
• 3. Use of sunbeds
• 4. Health effects
• 5. Cancers linked to the use of sunbeds
• 6. Studies on the use of sunbeds
• 7. Conclusions