General

Tanning bed use increases in recession

More people plan to tan instead of taking a vacation

One-fifth of regular tanning bed users will up their usage because they can’t afford a holiday abroad during the recession, a survey suggests. The report, for Cancer Research UK, found 34 per cent of over 2,000 people were less likely to travel to a hot destination; 29 per cent said they’d be disappointed if they didn’t get a tan, and 46 per cent said having darker skin made them look healthier. But experts warned that isn’t the case. “Using a sunbed may seem like a cheap, quick fix to achieve that summer glow, yet while the process may only take a few moments, the damage can last a lifetime,” Katy Scammell of Cancer Research told the BBC, in part because ultraviolet rays from tanning beds can be up to 15 times stronger than those from the sun. “Not only do the harmful rays increase your risk of skin cancer, but they also lead to premature ageing and the appearance of lines, wrinkles and coarse, leathery skin,” she said, recommending that people use self-tanning lotions instead.

BBC News

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