The Government needs to urgently restrict a loophole that allows commercial tanning salons to advertise their services amid an “epidemic” of skin cancer, a dermatologist has warned. 

Currently, the law bans tanning salons from advertising sunbeds because of the link between sun beds and skin cancer; children are also banned from using them altogether. 

However, some tanning salons are now promoting tanning accelerators as a way to advertise their business. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, consultant dermatologist Professor Caitriona Ryan described it as a “very clever way” of getting around the ban. 

“The salons aren’t as much advertising the tanning bed, as much as the accelerators,” she said. 

“It’s lotion you put on your skin ahead of your sunbed session that brings up a deeper tan. 

“It’s meant to help the tanning properties of your skin.” 

Risk of skin cancer

According to the World Health Organisation, even one sun bed session increases the risk of contracting melanoma, a type of skin cancer, by 20% and for those under 35, the risk increases by 59%. 

Given the dangers, Professor Ryan said it is “really, really worrying” that so many young people are using sun beds. 

“We are seeing with sunbeds, there was a big taboo for years and we’re seeing an increase in their use again,” she said. 

“Not just the females but in males too; I think males obsessed with going to the gym six times a week… but they’re pale, they’re also going to tanning beds.” 

Using sunbeds for the first time before the age of 35 increases your risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by 75%.

Be #SunSmart and never use sunbeds.

Learn more: https://t.co/SYcdt8Cyxy#MelanomaMonday pic.twitter.com/WCgYhMWHX7

— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) May 5, 2025

Tanning salons are required by the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 to display information of the risk about sun bed use. 

However, Professor Ryan said she worries that far too many young people do not take the warning seriously. 

“The UV radiation there is 15 times stronger than the midday sun,” she said. 

“We know UV in general is a carcinogen and it’s a really concerning thing. 

“You know yourself, when you’re younger, you may know about the risks but you just don’t care. 

“So, I think yes, everything the Government can do to reduce advertising and marketing [they should do].” 

Ban on sun beds

Last year, then-Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he supported a ban on sun beds, citing the link between sun beds and skin cancer.

When asked whether she would support an outright ban, Professor Ryan described it as a “really ethical question”. 

“Should we ban alcohol? Should we ban cigarettes?” she said. 

“The fear there is that they’ll go underground. 

“I had a girl in clinic just a few months ago, she had a sunbed in her house; she was 26 and already had her first melanoma and I know she’s already going to get so many more because she’s already done 300, 400 sessions. 

“She’s terrified herself now but the damage is done.”

There is NO safe way to use a sunbed! Using sunbeds increases your risk of getting skin cancer. The earlier you start and the more often you use a sunbed, the greater the risk. #SunSmart pic.twitter.com/NPkCv7N5l7

— HSE Mid West (@HSEMidWest) September 9, 2024

Instead, Professor Ryan said society “really needs to educate” young people about the risk of UV damage and its link with skin cancer. 

“Please don’t use sunbeds - use fake tan,” she concluded. 

“It really, really is so dangerous and we’re seeing an epidemic of skins cancer. 

“Melonoma is rising and rising and it’s fatal if we don’t catch it in time. 

“It’s a really dangerous cancer and one of the top causes of cancer death in young people.” 

Skin cancer is now the most common cancer in Ireland, with 11,000 cases diagnosed every year. 

According to the Irish Cancer Society, 90% of cases are linked to UV rays from the sun or sun bed usage.

Main image: A man lying on a sunbed. Image: Alamy