Timely health warning on over-exposure to UV radiation by indoortanning - CHOICE # 367

Indoor tanning is fraught with health hazards, warns the Consumer Council.

Over-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation by indoor tanning may result in the development of freckles and wrinkles, premature skin ageing, and the suppression of immune system.

More seriously, it runs a higher risk of skin cancer, cataracts and other diseases.

But because skin ageing and cancer are delayed effects that do not usually show up immediately after the exposure, young people often are not aware of the dangers of indoor tanning.

This timely health warning from the Consumer Council is in line with the growing concern of health authorities and related agencies worldwide on the popularity of indoor tanning.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that no persons under the age of 18 should use UV tanning devices.

The US Department of Health and Human Services listed UV radiation from the sun or artificial light sources such as tanning beds and sun lamps as a known carcinogen.

The WHO, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all do not recommend the use of UV tanning devices for cosmetic purposes.

Further, the American Academy of Dermatology Association requires the following for indoor tanning facilities:

• No minor should be permitted to use tanning devices.
• A Surgeon General's warning should be displayed on all tanning devices.
• No person or facility should advertise the use of tanning devices with wording such as "safe", "safe tanning", "no harmful rays", "no adverse effect", or the like.

According to the Department of Health, tanning devices are not regulated as medical devices in other parts of the world with the exception of the U.S. In Hong Kong, a Medical Device Administrative Control System has been implemented whereby traders could apply for voluntary listing of their devices. Only medical devices with evidence of safety and efficacy would be listed.

In the absence of a regulatory regime, the use of tanning devices and the operation of the service providers are left entirely to the self-discipline of the industry.

Under the present situation, service providers and consumers should beware of the potential health risks associated with the use of tanning devices. One must not underestimate the potential harm arising from UV overexposure.

The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (HKACS) is of the view that frequent tanning may cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer especially to teenagers. It supports the ban on the use of tanning devices by people under 18.

The Finnish Society of Dermatology, and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority have recommended a maximum ceiling to using tanning devices - at 10 times a year.

But according to an expert opinion of the Hong Kong Medical Association, there is in fact no safe limit for indoor tanning as the UV harmful effect is accumulative.

In the study, the Consumer Council noted that some medicines may enhance skin photosensitivity, for instance, antidepressants, antibiotics, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), psoralens, antifungals, antidiabetics, antiarrhythmics and some cosmetics. People taking medications of such descriptions or using cosmetics should refrain from indoor tanning.

On the use of cream or spray containing dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is a colour additive that darkens the skin by reacting with the skin's surface, consumers are advised to restrict DHA-containing over-the-counter cosmetics to external application only and avoid inhaling or applying them to the area of the eye, mouth and nose.