An Armagh-based tanning salon owner and Vice-Chair of The Sunbed Association (TSA) has spoken of what he believes to be the benefits of controlled tanning – arguing against the spread of “misinformation” and “outdated” science.
TSA Vice-Chair and Armagh local, Joe McGlinchey puts, quite simply: “People like to tan. Sunshine makes them feel good.”
And this is something he says we should enjoy… in a controlled fashion.
Speaking to Armagh I, Joe explained: “We all need water, sunlight and food to survive – but abusing any of those can have consequences. It is true what they say – everything should be enjoyed in moderation.”
Moderation is where TSA come in. The Sunbed Association (TSA) is the UK and Ireland’s trade association for the sunbed industry, representing operators, manufacturers and distributors of sunbeds, lamps and lotions.
While the body exists to ensure the promotion of “responsible tanning” and the delivery of an “excellent and informed service” to customers it also seeks to ensure that the sunbed industry “has a voice with opinion formers, policy decision makers and all those who may have an influence on our industry”.
As part of their guidelines, TSA members operate a strict code of conduct which is designed to protect consumers by ensuring they receive information and advice from properly trained staff about the responsible use of sunbeds appropriate to their skin type.
Within the code of conduct, members must be “compliant and have well-maintained equipment”, have “trained staff – providing advice on sunbed use and lotions”, keep a clean and hygienic salon, provide customer screening to ensure ability to tan, prohibit under 18s, keep accurate records (no more than 60 sessions per year), remain compliant with all legislation and provide protective eyewear.
When all of these stipulations are met, Joe believes that exposure to sunlight through tanning beds can actually be beneficial – if not healthy.
He argues that “overexposure” is the harm rather than the UV rays themselves. For Joe, educating the public in appropriate UV exposure is vital, both indoors and outdoors.
He explains: “Most over-exposure to UV and burning takes place in the sunshine, whereas, a sunbed session is a controlled dose of UV light designed to tan and not burn.
“When you visit a Sunbed Association member salon you will find that somebody will assess your skin, make sure you can tan, and if you can’t tan you would be refused and recommended to fake tan instead.
“Our message is always about responsible tanning. For those who choose to tan, a regulated sunbed salon in membership with the TSA offers a controlled, time-limited alternative to unregulated outdoor exposure.
“If only the sun was as regulated as the professional sunbed industry!”
In the last 20 or more years, Joe says the industry has advanced exponentially. He explains that since 2010, professional sunbeds are being manufactured to a “European Standard where the UV output is the equivalent – minute for minute – to the UV levels of the midday Mediterranean summer sun”.
He adds: “If someone was to enjoy a ten minute sunbed session once a week that would be the equivalent of less than nine hours of tanning spread over a year.
“Compare that to someone lying on a beach or by the pool who will do this in a single day.”
Included in this industry advancement is the introduction of new LED beds – which Joe claims are much “softer” and less likely to cause the skin to burn.
One of the new, advanced LED sunbeds
He argues that information which is often used “against” the industry stems from an old report which he states is now “20 years out of date” but “is still used to inform public policy today”.
The report in question was published in 2003 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) who issued ‘Artificial Tanning Sunbeds: Risks and Guidance’ to assist governments in developing public health policy on sunbeds.
However, Joe now calls attention to a more recent study conducted in 2024 by the University of Edinburgh where a clinical study of 400,000 people concluded that “sunbed users had significantly better health outcomes than non-users”.
Joe states: “The study supports what we instinctively know to be true – that tanning is good for you.
“The scientists behind the research believe that public health messaging should be updated to reflect their findings.”
As a salon owner, manufacturer, distributor and TSA member and Vice-Chair, Joe provides some advice to potential sunbed users – with one of the most important being to “seek out TSA affiliated salons”.
He adds: “With a TSA member salon customers will be properly screened and provided with information and advice from properly trained staff about the responsible use of sunbeds appropriate to their skin type.”
Here are a list of Joe’s ‘dos and don’ts of tanning’ – also know as ‘the golden rules’:
- No under 18s allowed
- If skin not appropriate to tan – use fake tan
- Don’t tan indoors and outdoors on the same day (as this can lead to overexposure)
- Always wear eye protection
- Always use an appropriate sunbed cream
- No nasals or tanning injections – these are not legal and can have serious health effects
- Don’t overdo it – Everything in moderation
- Enjoy your tan – but burning must always be avoided
- And of course – always use a compliant salon in membership with TSA
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