There is no safe way to use UV radiation for tanning, according to public health bodies and experts. The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has consistently ruled against sunbed companies making claims of safety or health benefits, even issuing an advisory notice in February affirming the dangers of UV radiation from sunbeds. The ASA explicitly warns against claiming sunbeds can increase vitamin D, boost mood, improve eczema, or help with conditions like psoriasis or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) unless supervised by a medical professional.
The UK government is actively considering strengthening regulations around commercial sunbeds in England due to widespread misleading claims. A consultation document from January 2026 highlighted that the ASA upheld five rulings against sunbed advertisers for promoting "safe tanning" and implying medical benefits. The government is particularly concerned about inaccurate information that downplays health risks or exaggerates benefits, proposing to make it an offense for sunbed operators to provide health information not prescribed by the government, similar to existing approaches in Northern Ireland and Wales.
Health organizations, including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England, strongly advise against sunbed use due to the increased risk of skin cancer and eye damage. Research indicates that sunbed users have a 27% higher risk of melanoma, with the risk significantly increasing by approximately 47% for those who start using sunbeds before age 20. The British Association of Dermatologists and the World Health Organization (WHO) also emphasize these clear links between sunbed use and higher rates of melanoma and other skin cancers.
