Sign in Subscribe
Universities and colleges

Newcastle University Students Warned of Tanning Risks Amidst Free Sessions Offer

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As students in Newcastle celebrate the beginning of a new academic year, a local tanning salon's offer of free tanning sessions has raised eyebrows among health experts. Kwik Tan, a tanning salon in Queen's Square, has been promoting its "Free Tanning for Freshers" event, offering one six-minute daily tanning session to students during Freshers' Week. However, health experts warn that the promotion may encourage students to prioritize tanning over sun safety.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kwik Tan offered one six-minute daily tanning session free to students from Monday to Sunday, sparking health warnings from experts.
  • Professor Mark Birch-Machin, a dermatology scientist at Newcastle University, warned that tanning machines can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.
  • Dr. Julie Sharp, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, urged people not to use sunbeds for cosmetic reasons, citing the risk of premature aging and skin damage.
  • The British Photodermatology Group recommends limiting sunbed use to 10 sessions per year, while government guidelines warn that using UV tanning equipment when young increases the risk of skin cancer.
  • The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that under-18s do not use sunbeds and that all coin-operated salons are supervised by trained staff.
  • Students at Newcastle University are being targeted with advertisements promoting tanning sessions, raising concerns about the promotion of sunbed use among young people.

Statistics:

  • Kwik Tan's free tanning promotion ran from Monday 14th to Sunday 20th September.
  • The company claims to operate a safe and responsible tanning policy, but a link to a "responsible tanning page" has been added to its advertisement.
  • According to Cancer Research UK, 87,777 people were diagnosed with malevolent melanoma in 2017 in the United Kingdom (Source: Cancer Research UK, 2017).
  • The British Photodermatology Group recommends limiting sunbed use to 10 sessions per year, citing the risk of skin damage and premature aging.

Sources:

  • "Tanning salon offers free sunbed sessions to students" by BBC News (Source: BBC News, no date provided).
  • "Cancer Research UK urges people not to use sunbeds for cosmetic reasons" by Dr Julie Sharp (Source: Cancer Research UK).
  • "British Photodermatology Group, No Date" (Source: British Photodermatology Group).
  • "UK Government guidelines on the use of tanning equipment" by UK Government (Source: UK Government).
  • "Health and Safety Executive guidance on the use of sunbeds" by Health and Safety Executive (Source: Health and Safety Executive).

Read more