A new survey by Melanoma Focus has uncovered a concerning trend: one in nine UK adults deliberately burn their skin in pursuit of a tan. The study found that approximately 14 per cent of Britons admit to using sunbeds or sunbathing with the explicit aim of achieving sunburn, often believing it leads to a better or deeper tan.
Health Risks of Intentional Sunburn
Experts warn that deliberately burning skin significantly increases the risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Having five or more sunburns over a lifetime can double the risk of melanoma. In the UK, melanoma is the fifth most common cancer, causing around 2,600 deaths annually.
Low Sunscreen Usage
The survey also highlighted poor sun protection habits. It found that 35 per cent of respondents, rising to 41 per cent of men, never use sunscreen in the UK during summer months, despite warnings about the deceptively high UV index. This behaviour persists even as public figures like Hugh Jackman urge people to wear sunscreen following his own skin cancer scare.
Melanoma Focus stresses the importance of changing attitudes towards tanning and sun exposure to reduce the incidence of skin cancer. The charity advises using SPF 30 or higher, seeking shade during peak UV hours, and avoiding sunbeds entirely.
